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.