Movie Review: Zamperini's Story Is The Strength Of UNBROKEN, But It Deserves Better.

Unbroken

Director: Angelina Jolie
Cast: Jack O'Connell, Domhnall Gleeson, Garrett Hedlund, Takamasa Ishihara, Finn Wittrock.
Rated PG-13 for war violence including intense sequences of brutality, and for brief language.

Louis Zamperini's story is unbelievable and incredibly cinematic. Laura Hillenbrand's best-selling account of Zamperini's life story, Unbroken, prompted Angelina Jolie to step behind the camera to bring this amazing man's life to the big screen. Expectations were high for the film, mostly because this story is just too powerful. While there are some admirable qualities in Unbroken, one can't help but wonder if the film would have been better told in the hands of a more accomplished and skilled filmmaker.

Movie Review: THE INTERVIEW Is A Big Joke That Got Blown Out Of Proportion.

The Interview

Directors: Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen
Cast: James Franco, Seth Rogen, Lizzy Caplan, Randall Park, Diana Bang.
Rated R for pervasive language, crude and sexual humor, nudity, some drug use, and bloody violence.

From the guys that delivered the insanely funny This Is The End comes a controversial comedy about an assassination attempt on the infamous North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un. Recently, Sony fell victim to a vicious cyber attack that compromised many private emails and studio projects. Then the hackers threatened the U.S. that it would suffer 9/11-type attacks if Sony decided to release the comedy film, The Interview. Investigations led to the discovery that the North Korean government was, indeed, behind the Sony hack. This caused many theaters to pull The Interview from their Christmas release schedule, forcing Sony to cancel the release of the film altogether. On Christmas Eve it was revealed that the film would be shown in a few hundred independent theaters across the country or could be viewed online through YouTube, Google Play, and Xbox. So, is this film worth all the controversy? Bottom line: it's a silly and tasteless comedy that Franco and Rogen are known for, nothing more and nothing less.

Movie Review: EXODUS Is Visually Stunning, But Lacks The Emotional Element Of The Famous Story.

Exodus: Gods and Kings

Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, Aaron Paul, John Turturro, Sigourney Weaver, and Ben Kingsley.
Rated PG-13 for violence including battle sequences and intense images.

I recently heard director Ridley Scott say that he tends to view things on an epic scale, and his latest film, Exodus: Gods and Kings, is absolutely no exception to that mindset. This may very well be Scott's most ambitious film to date and is a retelling of a story that is the foundation for many people's faith. While Scott delivers yet another visual wonder, one can't help but feel that there should have been more heart and emotion behind all the stylistic flair.

Movie Review: BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES May Entertain, But Is Mostly Unnecessary.

The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies

Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellan, Richard Armitage, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lily, and Cate Blanchett.
Rated PG-13 for extended sequences of intense fantasy action violence, and frightening images.

The Hobbit should never have been three movies. I could get behind the idea of two, but alas the studios won that battle. Peter Jackson is well equipped to make Middle-Earth movies for the rest of his career, but that doesn't mean he should. The Battle of the Five Armies still has many elements that made the Lord of the Rings so successful, yet it still pales in comparison.

Trailer Reaction: STAR WARS - THE FORCE AWAKENS Teaser Is Everything I Wanted!

Okay, so this is a first for me. I've yet to make a post about my reaction to a trailer, let alone an 88-second teaser, but come on guys, it's STAR WARS!!!! Like many, Star Wars was my childhood. I had a yellow wiffle baseball bat that I pretended was my special yellow lightsaber, because I didn't have the toy. I would sit at the table and try to move a pencil towards me using the Force. Sometimes, I would close my eyes and strain my brain so hard that I actually thought that it would work. Star Wars has been a big part of my family, particularly among the boys, and it's been fun to introduce the films to a new generation of nephews and nieces. I look forward to sharing this wonderful universe with my own kids someday.

Movie Review: HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 Still Brings The Laughs.

Horrible Bosses 2

Director: Sean Anders
Cast: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Chris Pine, Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Foxx, Kevin Spacey, and Christoph Waltz.
Rated R for strong, crude sexual content and language throughout.

The original Horrible Bosses was a fun, clever idea that really succeeded on the comedy of its stars, Bateman, Day, and Sudeikis, while giving actors like Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Aniston, and Colin Farrell, the opportunity to have a lot of fun with their despicable roles. Horrible Bosses 2 is much sillier than its predecessor, but again, the chemistry between its three stars makes it work.

Movie Review: MOCKINGJAY - PART I Is Solid, But Clearly Incomplete.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part I

Director: Francis Lawrence
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, and Donald Sutherland.
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images, and thematic material.

Harry Potter did it, then Twilight, The Hobbit has done it with three movies, and now The Hunger Games series is the latest to make multiple films out of one novel. Is it necessary? For Harry Potter, maybe, but not for Mockingjay. It's even more questionable since the third novel in the series was generally the least liked among fans. But this first installment of the two-part finale will make somewhere around $700 million at the worldwide box office, and it cost $250 million to make Part I & Part II together. That means that when Part II comes out next November it will make close to $1 billion of pure profit. If you were the head of Lionsgate Films, would you not do the same? I would. While Mockingjay - Part I clearly is an incomplete film, it still provides some exciting moments and enough intrigue to make you ready for Part II.

Movie Review: DUMB & DUMBER TO Cashes In On Nostalgia, But Offers Little More.

Dumb and Dumber To

Directors: Bobby & Peter Farrelly
Cast: Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Rob Riggle, Laurie Holden, Rachel Melvin, and Kathleen Turner.
Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, partial nudity, language, and some drug references.

Well, whether you wanted it or not, the sequel to the king of 90s comedies has finally come to theaters twenty years later. I think we (and by "we" I mean fans of the original) all can agree that this installment would not live up to its predecessor, but I was at least hoping that it would still be funny without tarnishing its own legacy. And I'm here to report that Dumb and Dumber To falls somewhere in between.

Movie Review: Jake Gyllenhaal Is Mesmerizing And Terrifying In NIGHTCRAWLER.

Nightcrawler

Director: Dan Gilroy
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, and Bill Paxton.
Rated R for violence including graphic images, and for language.

No, this isn't an origin story for the popular X-Men character, Nightcrawler. This is a disturbing and intense thriller that explores the criminal nightlife of Los Angeles with some sharp commentary on the media and capitalism at its worst. The result is nothing short of mesmerizing with Jake Gyllenhaal turning in an Oscar worthy performance.

Movie Review: INTERSTELLAR May Not Be Nolan's Crowning Achievement, But It's Still An Achievement.

Interstellar

Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Casey Affleck, and Michael Caine.
Rated PG-13 for some intense perilous action and brief strong language.

One of the year's most highly anticipated films from acclaimed director Christopher Nolan has finally hit the big screen. Expectations for this huge film could not have been higher, and perhaps such expectations were completely unreasonable. I do not believe Interstellar can be fully appreciated or condemned simply based on one viewing, so keep that in mind while reading my review: my thoughts and opinions are predicated on a single viewing. Interstellar may be one of the most ambitious movies you'll ever see, and while it reaches some amazing heights of filmmaking, it does not do so without some stumbles along the way.

Movie Review: Classic And Entertaining Action Is On Full Display In JOHN WICK.

John Wick

Director: Chad Stahelski
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Adrianne Palicki, Ian McShane, and Willem Dafoe.
Rated R for strong and bloody violence throughout, language, and brief drug use.

No one had heard of this movie even a month ago. Somehow it crept up on us without too much attention or buzz, but I'm here to tell you that John Wick is a wildly entertaining action revenge flick. Nothing more, nothing less.

Movie Review: FURY Is One Of The Better War Dramas In Recent Years.

Fury

Director: David Ayer

Cast: Brad Pitt, Logan Lerman, Shia LeBeouf, Michael Peña, Jon Bernthal, and Jason Isaacs. 

Rated R for strong sequences of war violence, some grisly images, and language throughout.

"War never ends quietly." Director David Ayer really drives this fact home in his latest film, Fury. Ayer has been hit and miss with his directorial efforts, but he delivers arguably his best film to date with this story about an American tank crew who must push their way behind enemy lines in Nazi Germany at the end of World War II. Fury is an intense, yet compelling war drama that is able to feel fresh by showing audiences what it was like inside a tank during this pivotal time in history. 

Movie Review: Director David Fincher Terrifies Yet Again With GONE GIRL.

Gone Girl

Director: David Fincher
Cast: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Carrie Coon, Kim Dickens, and Tyler Perry.
Rated R for a scene of bloody violence, some strong sexual content/nudity, and language.

Director David Fincher (Se7en, Zodiac, Fight Club, The Social Network) gives life to Gillian Flynn's bestselling novel about a beloved woman who's gone missing and her husband who doesn't seem to be very concerned about it. Fincher is one of Hollywood's most respected directors today with an impressive resume, and with Gone Girl he delivers yet another shining thriller to his body of work.

Movie Review: THE DROP Brings Some Quality To September.

The Drop

Director: Michael R. Roskam
Cast: Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, James Gandolfini, Matthias Schoenaerts, and John Ortiz.
Rated R for some strong violence and pervasive language.

September has been pretty lame at the theaters until this little thriller decided to show up. It's been two years since Tom Hardy has been on the big screen until his one-man show in the tense drama, Locke, which hit theaters earlier this year. Now Hardy is back in another small film that marks the last onscreen performance from the late James Gandolfini. Author Dennis Lehane, who wrote the novels Mystic River, Shutter Island, and Gone Baby Gone, writes the screenplay here based off his own short story, and once again he delivers a tense crime drama.

In Memoriam: My Top 5 Favorite Robin Williams Films

I was so shocked and saddened by the news of Robin Williams' passing earlier this week. At first, I was in disbelief, hoping it was one of those sick hoaxes that pops up occasionally. When the news was confirmed by multiple sources, it was as if a part of my childhood suddenly vanished. It is a real tragedy that Williams felt that he could no longer influence the world with his infectious spirit, and was overwhelmed by his depression. My most sincere condolences go out to his friends and family that he has left behind. No one will miss him more than them. Luckily for myself, and for the rest of the world, my childhood did not vanish; we still have his great body of work that will last far beyond his years. It is in this spirit of remembrance and celebration of life that I wish to highlight 5 of my favorite Robin Williams films:

Movie Review: I Want My Old TMNT Back!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Director: Jonathan Liebesman
Cast: Megan Fox, Will Arnett, William Fichtner, Alan Ritchson, Noel Fisher, Jeremy Howard, and Johnny Knoxville.
Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence.

Okay, people. Here's the thing: I'm a major Turtles fan. My childhood revolved around them. I had the toys, I watched the cartoon, my Christmas presents consisted of the toy van with the pizza shooter on top and the Technodrome, in addition to the backpack and lunch box. The original movie that was released in 1990 was the first time I had been excited out of mind to see a movie. It was everything I had hoped for. Granted, I was a biased 7-year-old, but I still watch the original to this day and find it extremely entertaining. Well, after seeing this newest incarnation of the Turtles, I have even more new found respect for the original film.

Movie Review: Marvel Strikes Again With GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY.

Guardians of the Galaxy

Director: James Gunn

Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Lee Pace, Vin Diesel, and Bradley Cooper.

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for some language.

Who are the Guardians of the Galaxy, and why should I care? That's exactly what I thought when this movie was first announced. Even the first trailer didn't have me convinced. I thought it looked weird and stupid. Slowly, I started gaining an interest the more I saw from the marketing. However, I still had my doubts, but they were not necessary. And while this newest entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is not perfect, it is filled with so much visual wonder, exciting action, and wild humor that you can easily overlook its flaws. 

Movie Review: "Begin Again" Wins You Over With Its Charm.

Begin Again

Director: John Carney
Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Keira Knightley, Hailee Steinfeld, Adam Levine, and Catherine Keener.
Rated R for language.

John Carney, the director from the surprise hit Once, is back with a new tale involving relationships and music. There are a lot of familiarities between the two films, but Carney is obviously in his element with these types of stories. Begin Again is one of those sweet surprises that seem to come along every summer, but are often skipped over for more traditional flare.

Movie Review: "Snowpiercer" Ranks Among The Best Of The Post-Apocalyptic Genre.

Snowpiercer

Director: Joon-ho Bong
Cast: Chris Evans, Jamie Bell, Tilda Swinton, Kang-ho Song, Octavia Spencer, and John Hurt.
Rated R for violence, language, and drug content.

The summer movie season is all about the big studio blockbusters, which can be a lot of fun or giant failures. Sadly, there are smaller gems that are not recognized up against the Goliaths of Hollywood. Snowpiercer is one of those gems, combining the best elements of sci-fi, action, drama, smarts, and thrills. Simply put, Snowpiercer is one of the best action films of the year.

Movie Review: "Dawn" Is Visually Stunning, Yet Emotionally Complex.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Director: Matt Reeves
Cast: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Toby Kebbell, Keri Russell, and Gary Oldman.
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief strong language.

Audiences often complain that there are too many sequels, and that Hollywood no longer has any more original ideas. The history of film has gone through its share of trends, and sequels are a strong trend with today's releases. Sure, there are many follow-up installments that are poorly produced just to cash in on audiences' expectations, but when a sequel comes along that is this fantastic, it's easy to understand why there are so many.

Redbox Review: "Enemy" Is The Most Complex Movie I've Seen In 2014.

Enemy

Director: Denis Villeneuve
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Melanie Laurent, Sarah Gadon, and Isabella Rossellini.
Rated R for some strong sexual content, graphic nudity, and language.

I was mesmerized by what director Denis Villeneuve was able to do with last year's brilliant thriller, Prisoners, so I was very intrigued to catch this latest film of his also starring Jake Gyllenhaal (though technically this was filmed before Prisoners). I knew prior to seeing Enemy that I would have to engage my brain to fully appreciate and understand this complicated film. Though this is not a film that everyone will enjoy, it is a fascinating piece of filmmaking that is constructed with exact precision.

My Most Anticipated Films For The Rest Of 2014

I actually meant to make a post like this earlier in the year where I would highlight the films I am most excited for in 2014. Well, now we are just about halfway through the year, and already we have had some truly wonderful films. Honestly, it's been a great year. It would be hard coming up with a Top Ten for 2014 and we still have six more months of movies. It's an exciting year to be a film fan. We still have plenty of exciting films to look forward to, and there will be plenty that will surprise us. So with that in mind, I have decided to pick out ten remaining films of 2014 that I am most excited for.

Movie Review: "HTTYD2" Spreads Its Dragon Wings And Soars.

How To Train Your Dragon 2

Director: Dean DeBlois
Cast: Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wiig, Kit Harington, and Djimon Hounsou.
Rated PG for adventure action and some mild rude humor.

For a long time, Pixar seemed to own the animated genre, but now other studios have answered with some animated classics of their own. DreamWorks' How to Train Your Dragon was a surprise hit with audiences and critics four years ago. Now, the highly anticipated sequel has delivered with even more heart than the first.

Movie Review: "22 Jump Street" Mocks Itself And Has A Blast Doing It.

22 Jump Street

Directors: Phil Lord & Christopher Miller
Cast: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube, Wyatt Russell, Jillian Bell, and Nick Offerman.
Rated R language throughout, sexual content, drug material, brief nudity, and some violence.

Directors Phil Lord & Christopher Miller are at the top of their game. After their surprise hit in 21 Jump Street, followed by a classic animated comedy with this year's The Lego Movie, they've now essentially mastered the comedy sequel with 22 Jump Street, something that cannot be said of most comedy sequels. 22 Jump Street may or may not be better than its predecessor, but the bottom line is that it is a great comedy sequel.

Movie Review: "Edge Of Tomorrow" Offers Summer Thrills, But Is Wasted On A Weak Ending.

Edge of Tomorrow

Director: Doug Liman
Cast: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Brendan Gleeson, and Bill Paxton.
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, language, and brief suggestive material.

One of last weekend's wide releases brought Tom Cruise back to the big screen in his latest sci-fi adventure. It ended up being overshadowed by The Fault In Our Stars in terms of box office numbers, but it really did deserve to do better. I saw the film last weekend, but it's taken me some time to figure out how I truly feel about it. While this movie brings some fresh new content mixed with great action and humor, it fails to reach its true potential for greatness and settles for above average mediocrity with its cookie-cutter ending.

Movie Review: "The Fault In Our Stars"....Greatest Love Story Of This Century? I'd Say Yes.

The Fault In Our Stars

Director: Josh Boone
Cast: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff, Laura Dern, Sam Trammell, and Willem Dafoe.
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some sexuality, and brief strong language.

I am typically not one for love stories, particularly because they are often cliched, over-romanticized, and fake. I can enjoy the occasional rom-com if the material is funny, but I cannot stand Nicholas Sparks' adaptations (at least 99% of them), and movies like The Vow make me want to die inside. But, I'm here to tell you that this one hit all of the right notes. We are still early into the 21st century, but The Fault In Our Stars is the best love story we've seen since 2000, and it will be remembered and weighed against for a long, long time.

Movie Review: Angelina Is Perfect in "Maleficent," But The Rest Of The Film Is Poorly Constructed.

Maleficent

Director: Robert Stromberg
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, Lesley Manville, Juno Temple, and Imelda Staunton.
Rated PG for sequences of fantasy action and violence, including frightening images.

There has been a craze lately to tell the untold stories of famous villains ever since the success of the Broadway play, Wicked. Now, Disney has gone and taken one of their most popular villains and decided to bring the notorious Maleficent to the big screen. The casting of this role was always going to be the most important aspect of the film, and luckily the casting is pitch perfect with Angelina Jolie bringing the sorceress to life. Unfortunately, the story that is created around her is poorly constructed and executed.

Movie Review: Director Bryan Singer Restores The X-Men To Their Glory In DOFP.

X-Men: Days of Future Past

Director: Bryan Singer
Cast: Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Peter Dinklage, Evan Peters, Ian McKellan, and Patrick Stewart.
Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi violence and action, some suggestive material, nudity, and language.

The X-Men are back and have never been better! The cast of the original trilogy teams up with the young cast from X-Men: First Class to bring you the ultimate X-Men experience. Director Bryan Singer (who directed the first two films only to leave the franchise for other projects) is back behind the camera and he intends to right a few wrongs done to the franchise while he was away. The result is not only the biggest and best X-Men film to date, but also one of the greatest comic book movies of all time.

Movie Review: "A Million Ways To Die In The West" Delivers The Typical MacFarlane Laughs.

A Million Ways To Die In The West

Director: Seth MacFarlane
Cast: Seth MacFarlane, Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried, Neil Patrick Harris, and Liam Neeson.
Rated R strong crude and sexual content, language throughout, some violence, and drug material.

In 2012, funny man and Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane made his directorial debut with the massive comedy hit, Ted. Flash forward to two years later and here we actually have MacFarlane directing his second feature, this time with him in the lead. Luckily, MacFarlane has loads of charisma, great comedic timing, and a killer supporting cast to back him up.

Movie Review: "Godzilla" Has A Surprisingly Small Amount of Godzilla.

Godzilla

Director: Gareth Edwards
Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Ken Watanabe, David Strathairn, and Bryan Cranston.
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of destruction, mayhem, and creature violence.

Godzilla has never really taken off with American audiences the way it has with the Japanese, and this latest adaptation is hoping to change all of that by giving us the biggest version we've seen yet. I had little anticipation for this project, especially since the 1998 film starring Matthew Broderick was so disastrous and not in a good way. However, as trailers surfaced my curiosity began to grow. While this reincarnation is miles better than the '98 version, it still suffered from boring human characters and convenient plot points.

Movie Review: "Neighbors" Shows That We Never Want To Grow Up Accompanied By Lots Of Laughs.

Neighbors

Director: Nicholas Stoller
Cast: Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne, Dave Franco, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and Lisa Kudrow.
Rated R for pervasive language, strong crude and sexual content, graphic nudity, and drug use throughout.

You already know if you want to see Neighbors or not. This review is not meant to convince all to go see it, because the humor is not for everybody. What I will say to those of you who think you'll enjoy Neighbors is that you're right! There's usually at least one solid R-rated comedy that comes out each year, and so far that title belongs to Neighbors. We'll see if it is still king once 22 Jump Street comes out.

Movie Review: "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" Is Fun, But Not Yet Amazing.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Director: Mark Webb

Cast: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeHaan, Paul Giamatti, and Sally Field.

Rated PG-13 for sequence of sci-fi action/violence.

I was not too crazy about this reboot from the beginning, and The Amazing Spider-Man did not convince me that this new take on the character would be worth while. However, it was generally accepted by most critics and audience members, so I was somewhat surprised to see that this follow-up had such a lower rating on Rotten Tomatoes; we're talking lower than Spider-Man 3. Yikes. Personally, I thought it was an improvement on its predecessor. I still did not love the film; it's got its share of problems, but I found it to be a fun summer movie. 

Movie Review: "The Raid 2" Has Revolutionized The Action Genre Forever.

The Raid 2

Director: Gareth Evans
Cast: Iko Uwais, Arifin Putra, Oka Antara, Yayan Ruhian, Julie Estelle, and Tio Pakusodewo.
Rated R for sequences of strong bloody violence throughout, sexuality, and language.

The Raid 2 (along with its predecessor, The Raid) is an Indonesian action film that the majority of the general movie-going public has never heard of, and will likely never see. That is a shame, but this is a movie that only certain film fans will enjoy. Action and martial arts aficionados will eat these movies up. So, if you're a fan of brutal, bloody, and intense action, then The Raid 2 will knock you the eff out! It's been a couple days now since I saw it, and I cannot get it out of my head and that's a good thing; it blew me away!

Movie Review: Marvel Delivers The Best Standalone Movie Yet With "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Directors: Anthony & Joe Russo
Cast: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Samuel L. Jackson, and Robert Redford.
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, gunplay, and action throughout.

It's no secret to those who know me that I am a BIG fan of comic book movies. I never got into the actual comics themselves, but I familiarize myself with these characters through my own research and from my experiences watching all the cartoons as a child. What Marvel Studios has done with their cinematic universe is something I would have never thought possible. Phase 1 consisted of Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger, all leading up to their big team-up in The Avengers. Phase 2 officially began with Iron Man 3, which disappointed me immensely. Thor: The Dark World brought some fun action, and it's always great to see Loki again, but I had yet to see anything as good as the Phase 1 films. Luckily, Phase 2 has found its Holy Grail in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Movie Review: "Noah" Delivers An Entertaining Epic, But Is Not ForEveryone.

Noah

Director: Darren Aronofsky
Cast: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Ray Winstone, and Anthony Hopkins.
Rated PG-13 for violence, disturbing images, and brief suggestive content.

I will just go ahead and declare that Darren Aronofsky's re-imagining of the Biblical tale of Noah is not for everyone. It is dark, violent, and presents Noah as a righteous man who grows increasingly misguided as the burden of the world's destruction weighs heavily upon him. That being said, if you go into Noah with the mindset of seeing another fantasy epic, then I believe you'll be fairly entertained.

Movie Review: "Divergent" Tries, But Fails To Escape "The Hunger Games" Shadow.

Divergent

Director: Neil Burger
Cast: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Jai Courtney, Ashley Judd, Tony Goldwyn, and Kate Winslet.
Rated PG-13 for intense violence and action, thematic elements, and some sensuality.

Divergent is the latest attempt to rake in the dollars as a result of the growing popularity of YA novels and successful film adaptations like The Hunger Games and its sequel, Catching Fire. The novel, written by Veronica Roth, is similar to The Hunger Games in that it features a young heroine fighting against an unjust dystopian society, but different in the details that make up said society. For the most part, The Hunger Games films have been an enormous success based upon both rave reviews from critics and audiences alike that have resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in box office revenue. So, does Divergent live up to the standard set by its sister series? Everyone will have their own answer, but in my opinion, it pales in comparison.

Movie Review: "300: Rise of an Empire" Lacks Gerard Butler's Commanding Roar, But Is Still Satisfying To Fans Of The Original.

300: Rise of an Empire

Director: Noam Murro
Cast: Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Lena Headey, Hans Matheson, Callan Mulvey, and Rodrigo Santoro.
Rated R for strong sustained sequences of stylized bloody violence throughout, a sex scene, nudity, and some language.

It's been eight years since director Zack Snyder delivered the action fantasy 300 that gave men all around the world new goals for their workout regimen. It may have provided more style than substance, but with Gerard Butler howling his cheesy, yet awesome lines about glory, death, and hell, who really cared about anything else than seeing these six-packed bad-asses spill tyrant blood? Zack Snyder has moved on to helming the the Superman/Batman universe, so the reigns have been passed over to director Noam Murro for this new installment in the 300 world. Though there are less iconic Snyder visuals, Murro does well at recreating the the look of the first film with a sequel/prequel that should satisfy most fans.

My Predictions for the 86th Academy Awards

MY OSCARS' PREDICTIONS

The awards season is now at an end with tomorrow's broadcast of the 86th Annual Academy Awards. All the stars of 2013 will be walking the red carpet to see the show while a lucky few will hope to leave with that elusive golden statuette. I do not always agree with the outcome, and many times I do not agree with the nominees themselves. Nevertheless, I do have respect for what the Oscars represent and I enjoy seeing well-deserving individuals be awarded for their work. In the categories that I truly care about, I have also listed my personal preference which may or may not coincide with whom I think will actually win. So here we go with all 24 categories:

The 2nd Annual Todd Awards - Winners

The 2nd Annual Todd Awards

-Winners-

Here I am, once again, to celebrate my favorite films of 2013 and to give recognition to the films that may or may not receive any Oscar love. I will be the first to admit that these nominations and winners are selected solely based upon my on bias. There may be winners that, technically speaking, do not stand up to others, but they stood out to me, and since these are my awards I can do as I please. Enough of the silly talk. Let's move on to see who the winners are:

Movie Review: "The Lego Movie" Is Wild, Crazy, and Loads of Fun.

The Lego Movie

Directors: Phil Lord & Christopher Miller
Cast: Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Ferrell, Will Arnett, Charlie Day, Liam Neeson, and Morgan Freeman.
Rated PG for mild action and rude humor.

Legos were a big part of my childhood. I could sit, build, and play for hours. Naturally, when I heard that one of my favorite toys would serve as the inspiration for a feature length film I was thrilled. But then the thought came to me, "what if it sucks?" This is a project that could have easily turned into a thoughtless piece of garbage with the sole purpose of selling a product. Luckily, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (the duo behind Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and 21 Jump Street) cared enough to give The Lego Movie witty humor, satire, and a story that actually has a moral.

The 2nd Annual Todd Awards (2013) - Nominations

The 2nd Annual Todd Awards

-Nominations-

Here we are again to celebrate yet another wonderful year at the movies. Some may remember my awards for last year, some may new to how and why I do this. While I respect and admire the Academy Awards, I do not always feel they represent film fairly and adequately. The Todd Awards are an attempt to recognize some of my favorite films of the last year and the different aspects that made them great, including both blockbusters, indies, and the heavy hitting dramas. These nominations (and eventual winners) are all based on my own personal taste and liking. They are not meant to please everyone, but if you care to know that stood out the most to me throughout 2013, then this is the best way to do so. Also, I have yet to see every film released in 2013 so please forgive my ignorance towards films unseen. I will also include films that technically were released in 2013, such as limited releases, but did not reach nationwide audiences till early 2014, films like Lone Survivor. With that in mind, let's get on with the nominees for The 2nd Annual Todd Awards:

Movie Review: "Frozen" Is Pure Disney Excellence.

Frozen

Directors: Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee
Cast: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, Santino Fontana, and Alan Tudyk.
Rated PG for some action and mild rude humor.

Disney Animation continues its hot streak with its latest release, Frozen. Following the success of Wreck-It Ralph and Tangled, Frozen contains the same charm, but also includes that special Disney magic that was commonplace among the Disney Renaissance films like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King. This achievement is largely due to the absolutely incredible music and songs by Tony Award winner Robert Lopez and his wife, Kristen Anderson-Lopez.

Movie Review: "Jack Ryan" Entertains, But Lacks The Influence Of His Creator, Tom Clancy.

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

Director: Kenneth Branagh
Cast: Chris Pine, Keira Knightley, Kevin Costner, and Kenneth Branagh.
Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and intense action, and brief strong language.

Jack Ryan is late author Tom Clancy's most prominent character. He has been brought to the big screen by the likes of Alec Baldwin (The Hunt for Red October), Harrison Ford (Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger), and Ben Affleck (The Sum of All Fears). Now, after more than a ten year absence, Jack Ryan is back in action in the form of Chris Pine. Shadow Recruit is an attempt to explain Ryan's origins and potentially reboot the dormant franchise.

Movie Review: Spike Jonze's "Her" Creates An Intriguing Future With A Strong, Yet Subtle Performance From Joaquin Phoenix.

Her

Director: Spike Jonze
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Chris Pratt, and Scarlett Johansson.
Rated R for language, sexual content, and brief graphic nudity.

Director Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich, Where the Wild Things Are) creates a wholly unique love story that takes place in the near future, one that is entirely plausible, and in all honesty, very likely. Joaquin Phoenix, once again, proves that he is one of the strongest actors working today and Scarlett Johansson brings some real emotion and complexity to the voice of Samantha.

Movie Review: "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" Showcases Ben Stiller's Potential As A Filmmaker

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Director: Ben Stiller
Cast: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Adam Scott, Shirley MacLaine, Patton Oswalt, and Sean Penn.
Rated PG  for some crude comments, language, and action violence.

Ben Stiller sure has come a long way as a filmmaker and he takes his biggest leap with his latest project: bringing James Thurber's classic short story, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, to the big screen. There is some some truly picturesque cinematography throughout the film with a nice story of a dreamer who dared to be adventurous.

Movie Review: "Lone Survivor" Successfully Depicts Intense Warfare With True Acts Of Courage.

Lone Survivor

Director: Peter Berg
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Ben Foster, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, and Eric Bana.
Rated R for strong bloody war violence and pervasive language.

Director Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights, The Kingdom) has chosen to adapt the true story of a failed US Navy SEALs operation that occurred in Afghanistan in 2005 as told by the one man that lived to tell the story, Marcus Luttrell. This film contains some of the most intense and realistic scenes of modern warfare. What is depicted on screen is both brutal and tragic, yet the brotherhood that these heroes share is inspiring.