Month: February 2015

Focus

“Focus” is about a con-artist who takes on an apprentice, they become romantically involved, sensing things were getting too deep he breaks it off and then years later she gets in the way of a his biggest score.

I am sure the concept on paper reads well, but on the big screen this movie was lost to me. There were way too many “twists” and not enough “turns”. The ending was even weird.

There was about 25 minutes of real intrigue and then I was bored.

“Focus” was billed as a Drama/Comedy. I failed to find anything funny about the movie.

It’s been a while since Will Smith has made a movie that I liked. I guess that drought will continue.

This is a 2 Star Movie!!

McFarland, USA

Based on a true story, “McFarland, USA” is about how the economically challenged 1987 McFarland High School Cross Country team beat the odds to become a power house and go on to win 9 State Championships in 14 years.

The story is engaging, intriguing and quite entertaining. This is an excellent Disney production.

Kevin Costner was excellent as Coach Jim White.

This is a 4 Star Movie!!

Kingsman: The Secret Service

Based on a comic book, “Kingsman: The Secret Service” is about a very secret Spy Organization that is in need of fresh recruits, so they can continue to stay ahead of the latest global threats. The organization recruits a kid off the streets, but he isn’t just any kid; his father was a member of “The Secret Service” and he gave his life years ago to save his fellow team members.

The recruitment process is ultra competitive and at times it’s questionable as to whether any of the 6 recruits will rise to the top, but some do just in time because there is a Tech Genius who is launching a threat. The story unfolds from there…

“Kingsman: The Secret Service” is entertaining, thrilling, action packed and suspenseful.

There are some interesting special effects and some cool cinematography.
The movie is diminished a bit by some intense killing sprees, but other than that it’s very good.

“Kingsman: The Secret Service” is worth a look.

This is a 4 Star Movie!!

Fifty Shades of Grey

“Mr. Grey Will See You Now”. Christian Grey finally jumps off the pages of the best selling E.L. James novel and onto the big screen.

Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) is a senior in college. She has an assignment to interview the good looking, young multi-billionaire of the conglomerate “Grey House”. She arrives and after meeting and talking with Mr. Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan), Anastasia is intrigued. Little does Anastasia know, she has made a serious impression on Mr. Grey

Christian Grey shows up where Anastasia works and indicates he would like to get to know her better. She has no idea what she’s getting herself into. The story unfolds from there…

“Fifty Shades of Grey” is nothing more than a keen play on S & M. There is nothing romantic about pain and torture. Aside from the fact that at times there was a lot of steam and fireworks between Christian and Anastasia, the movie it’s self was “Grey”.

Actress Dakota Johnson does an excellent job of playing a naive, innocent young woman.

“Fifty Shades of Grey” is a Trilogy. A sequel has already been announced.

The movie will take in some serious cash this weekend even though it’s going up against “Kingsmen: The Secret Service” (I will review tomorrow).

Check it out for yourself. YOU be the judge.

This is a 2 Star Movie!!

Black Sea

You are a rouge submarine captain who has just been laid off. Your family left you because of the job and now the job leaves you.

You have been contacted about a rumored sunken treasure in the Black Sea. You put together a misfit crew of merry men that you believe represent the best in their position as it pertains to a submarine.

There is money to be made if you find the treasure. So off you and your crew go. Time passes as you travel under sea heading toward the location site. Desperation and greed take control as uncertainty sets in among the crew. The story unfolds from there…

“Black Sea” is not the very best “Suspense Thriller”, but it is a very good one. Two time Oscar Nominee; Jude Law is awesome as the rouge submarine captain. The movie is entertaining and gloomy all as the same time.
“Black Sea” was directed by Academy Award Winning Director Kevin McDonald.

If you like “Suspense Thrillers”, “Black Sea” is worth a look.

This is a 3 1/2 Star Movie!!

Jupiter Ascending 3D

“Jupiter Ascending” is spectacular from a visual point of view. Too bad that’s as good as it gets.

Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis) was born under the night sky with signs that predicted she was destined for great things. Jupiter grows up to live what appears to be a dull mundane life. Then one day Caine (Channing Tatum) an ex-Military Hunter comes to earth to track her down. Jupiter soon finds out that a greater fate awaits her on another planet. The story unfolds from there…

The story and plot are not set, so you have no clue as to the reasoning for some of the events that take place in the movie. It’s only after the first 45 minutes that you start to piece the puzzle together, but it still does not make sense.
As I stated earlier the visual effects are great. There is a lot of action and nice special effects. The problem with “Jupiter Ascending” is that the story isn’t put into context soon enough. There is too much bewilderment.

This is a 2 Star Movie!!