Month: November 2013

Hunger Games: Catching Fire The IMAX Experience

This second installment finds Katniss Everdeen back at home safely after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games. Part of winning means the winners must promote the games, so Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) and Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) embark on a cross country district by district tour. They are also both trying to convince President Snow (Donald Sutherland) that they do love each other and it was the right thing to allow them to be co-winners of the 74th Hunger Games. It would seem though that President Snow is not convinced.

The 75th Annual Hunger Games is approaching. President Snow has decided that all past winners must compete again to mark the 75th Anniversary. The story unfolds from there…

There is a nice continuation from the first installment. “Hunger Games: Catching Fire” flows nicely, keeps you engaged and thoroughly entertained. The cinematography is breathtaking and the special effects are awesome. My only problem was the ending is a bit weird, but the door is open for installment number three.
If you are a fan of the Hunger Games Franchise then “Hunger Games: Catching Fire” is a must see.

The Best Man Holiday

It’s been 15 years since the 1999 “The Best Man” opened. So in 2013 the old college friends attempt to reunite for the Holidays.

Old forgotten rivalries flare and old romances rekindle in this second installation. It seems time does not heel old wounds.

“The Best Man Holiday” has something for everyone, Love, Sex, Romance, Rivalry, Family, Loyalty, Success and Dishonesty. The story does a good job of picking up where the 1999 installment ended.

What makes “The Best Man Holiday” work is the strong cast. Everyone who was in the 1999 movie is back in 2013, plus a few new welcome additions. If you didn’t see the 1999 installment, that’s ok. The gaps get filled in.

Although the movie is entertaining, the mixture/combination of Christian Faith, Comedy and Raunchy Sex don’t fly.

Thor: The Dark World An IMAX 3D Experience

It’s very difficult to duplicate the success of a first installment. “Thor: The Dark World” the sequel to the 2011 blockbuster picks up nicely from where the first installment ended.

The adventures of Thor the Mighty Avenger continues as he battles to save Earth and the Nine Realms from the dark enemy that came before the universe.
The evil Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Odin and Asgard are no match against this evil enemy they face. Thor embarks on his own perilous journey, one that re-unites him with Jane Foster (Portman) and they together try to save the Universe. The story unfolds from there…

A must see in IMAX, although 3D is not necessary. The cinematography, special effects and action are very good. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) continues to weld his hammer to the delight of female audiences. The movie has a small lull, but other than that it’s pretty good at holding your attention.

If you are interested in the Thor franchise then “Thor: The Dark World” is a must see.

Last Vegas

“Last Vegas” is like “The Hangover” for the “Geriatric Set”. The comedy was fun but calm, nothing really outrageous!

Billy (Michael Douglas) decides to get married after being single for 58 years. The woman of course is half his age. He calls his childhood pals, Paddy (Robert DeNiro), Archie (Morgan Freeman) and Sam (Kevin Kline) who are located in various parts of the US and invites them to Vegas for a weekend of bachelorhood fun and for the wedding. After everyone arrives in Vegas, there are a number of basic problems that occur, one being the fact that they forgot to book a hotel room.

Archie (Morgan Freeman) tries his luck at the gaming tables with $15,000 dollars. He turns his $15,000 into $100,000 plus. The Casino owner wants a chance to recoup some of their money so they offer the best suite in the casino to the four pals. The story unfolds from there…

“Last Vegas” will be considered boring by the younger set, but if you are over the age of 40, you will be entertained. Great cast, very good chemistry. A nice weekend movie.

Ender’s Game

An Elite group of talented and gifted children are selected to train for a potentially very catastrophic War.

Ender Wiggins, shy but a strategically brilliant young leader, is recruited to join the elite group.

Once at the Battle School, Ender quickly masters the increasingly difficult challenges and simulations that are presented to him.
Ender soon gains that attention of Graff who is one of the schools Commanders who ordains Ender as the military’s next great hope. Ender is soon promoted to Commander School where he is trained to lead and given his own team of soldiers to lead into the next epic battle. The story unfolds from there…
If you read the NY Times best-selling novel you won’t be disappointed. It’s definitely a must see in IMAX to get the full effect. The special effects, cinematography and camera angles are fabulous. There is a small lull in the film, but it arrives at the end respectfully. Although this is a first chapter, “Ender’s Game” will lead to a blockbuster franchise.