Author: moviewarrior

I am an IT Professional who has loved the movie going experience since Kindergarten. My favorite Genres are Action, Suspense/Thrillers, Drama, Sci-Fi, Animation, Art House and Romantic Comedies.

A Most Wanted Man

Earlier this year when it was announced that Academy Award winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman had died, I thought it was a terrible joke. His death is another in a long line of famous people gone too soon…

In one of his last performances, Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Gunter Bachmann a counterterrorist expert based in Hamburg Germany who operates as a rogue agent independently of the GSG-9.

A half-Chechen, half Russian named Issa Karpov (Grigoriy Dobrygin), brutally tortured immigrant shows up in Hamburg’s Islamic community claiming his father’s ill-gotten fortune, both the US and German Security agencies take notice and start an all out investigation and surveillance. There is an immediate need to establish this most wanted man’s true identity. Is he an extremist or oppressed victim?

The phrase “Oh what a web we weave when trying to deceive” rings very true in “A Most Wanted Man”.

This is a Spy Suspense Thriller about surveillance, plain and simple!!
The movie has a slow churn to it that doesn’t come together until the last 20 minutes, but you will want to know what happens. There are a few surprises with twists and turns. You have to be patient!

I have seen Philip Seymour Hoffman look better. His dialog is minimal, but his presence and authority in the film speaks volumes.

“A Most Wanted Man” is based on the John Le Carre’s 2008 Spy Novel.
If you are a Philip Seymour Hoffman fan and you like Spy Thriller’s, “A Most Wanted Man” should not be missed.

This is a 4 Star Movie

The Hundred-Foot Journey

A family of cooks from India is forced to flee their home land after tragedy strikes them. They make their way to England. They then travel to France to a small town where they find a place to live and eventually open a restaurant. What they don’t know is that the French Village they set up shop in is very close net, quaint and the best restaurant in town is owned and run by Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren). Everyone eats at Le Saule Pleureur.

The India natives purchase the property across the road (100 feet) from Le Saule Pleureur and Madame Mallory’s home. They turn the property into a restaurant known as Maison Mumbai. Once Madame Mallory gets wind of this she protests vehemently. The story unfolds from there…

“The Hundred-Foot Journey” is a very heart-warming, entertaining story. It’s based on the best-selling novel by Richard C. Morais. There is a few times where the story lags a bit, but the movie definitely has many finer points.

There are some wonderful views of the French Countryside. While “The Hundred-Foot Journey” wasn’t advertised very much, it’s definitely worth the ticket.

As a foot note: Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey produced this movie.

This is a 3 1/2 Star Movie

Lucy

I am really not sure what I expected from the movie “Lucy”. There haven’t been many previews, but the ones I did see were intriguing…

“Lucy” (Scarlett Johansson) accidentally gets caught in a “dark” situation not of her own making. Circumstances present themselves and Lucy turns the tables on her captors. She is then able to transform herself into a merciless assassin that defies logic and reason. The story unfolds from there…

“Lucy” contains lots of action, suspense and intrigue. It’s also very bloody.
There is a pretty intense car chase through the streets of Paris France that will remind you of a Jason Bourne Movie. There are plenty of special effects.

The problem with “Lucy” is that you are not given any background or foundation for the events leading up to Lucy’s situation. Nothing really makes any sense. There is no plot.

“Lucy” is an ok movie, it’s not great!

This is a 2 1/2 stars movie

And So It Goes

Michael Douglas plays “Oren Little” a Realtor who wants nothing more than to sell his house and move on with his life. A nine year old granddaughter (Sterling Jerins) he didn’t know he had is suddenly thrust into his life by his estranged son.

Oren is so mean and hateful that he doesn’t know how to love and care for his granddaughter so he pawns her off on his neighbor Leah (Diane Keaton). Leah has troubles of her own, but takes the child in. The story unfolds from there…

“And So It Goes” is a Rob Reiner production. It’s definitely NOT one of his best.

The movie starts off slow and without meaning. Most of the movie is boring. It shows a bright light and is even funny about 50 minutes into the movie, but that’s not saying much since the movie is only 1 hour and 34 minutes long.
I am guessing Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton just needed something to do because this is not either’s best work.

I would wait for “And So it Goes” on DVD or Blue Ray.

This is a 1 star movie

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes IMAX 3D

Caesar and his colony are back!

Continuing from the 2011 installment “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” there was a war brewing and the Simian flu all but wiped out most of humanity. There are some humans left. They are in San Francisco and trying to survive. Caesar wants to live peaceably, but there is dissention amongst his colony.

The people in San Francisco have no idea that there are apes living near them. It’s been determined that in order to restore power to the city a tactical team will need to travel into the deep forest to a location where a power plant and dam exist. What they don’t know is that Caeser and his colony have established a home right next to and around the power plant.

In order to get to the power plant and get the dormant dam operational, the team is going to have to deal with Caesar and his colony. One of the young apes is mistakenly shot by a human who feels threatened. This causes a bit of an up rise, but Caesar convinces the colony that the humans are not a threat and they should remain apart. The tactical team temporarily retreats, but after regrouping they return to the forest in an attempt to get to the dam. The story unfolds from there…
This is another one of those franchises that I am “Luke Warm” about. I did not care for the first two installments choosing to watch them on cable as opposed to spending money in a theater. This installment wasn’t even on my “Watch List”.

“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” is really good. There is a real story, plot and intrigue. The CGI’s are excellent. The cinematography is really good. The movie is tension filled with edge of your seat action.

“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” is a must see in IMAX, but not 3D.

This is a 4 Star movie

Begin Again

“Begin Again” is another one of those “Sleeper” movies, what I mean by that is; it’s a really good movie with very little advertisement. It’s open in limited release across the country.

Two ambitious young song writers, Gretta & Dave (Keira Knightley and Adam Levine) move to New York in search of stardom. Dave gets signed by a major record company. As his star starts to rise, the temptations that go with being a music sensation get the best of Dave. Devastated and disappointed Gretta breaks up with Dave and moves on.

Gretta struggles to put her life back together. She performs one night in the East Village and is heard by a once well respected music producer Dan (Mark Ruffalo) who has since fallen on hard times. After hearing Gretta sing Dan is very interested in trying to get Gretta signed to his record label. The story unfolds from there…

The music in this movie is great. I love the sound track. I was tapping my foot and popping my fingers. You hear songs by Stevie Wonder and Frank Sinatra just to name a couple. The movie starts off slow, but once you get past the first 10-12 minutes it’s great.

“Begin Again” is definitely worth a look. It’s also not for anyone under the age of 16. There is no nudity, but the tone and theme are very adult.

This is a 4 Star Movie

Transformers: Age of Extinction IMAX 3D

I have always been “Luke Warm” to the Transformer franchise. With Director Michael Bay retooling the franchise, there were high hopes that this installment would match the first installment. “Transformers: Age of Extinction” does not match the first installment, not even close, but it’s definitely better than the previous two installments.

From the last installment an epic battle between the Transformers and Decepticons left a major city torn, but with the world saved. As humanity picks up the pieces and tries to go on with life, there is a group who is trying to change the course of history, while another group attempts to exploit the use of the transformer technology to build war weapons.

Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg) is a Mechanic/Scientist who stumbles upon an old worn diesel truck. He has the truck towed to his farm and after a few days of tinkering with the truck discovers the diesel truck to be an old broken down transformer. The story unfolds from there…

“Transformer: Age of Extinction” is a CGI extravaganza. There is tons of non-stop action, wild crazy special effects and eye popping cinematography. This is the best part of the movie, because the plot and story are stupid. You are not setup at the beginning properly for everything to fall in place and make sense.

Michael Bay has stated that this installment will kick off another series. If it takes this long to save earth, we are in trouble.

If you are a fan of the Transformer Franchise, then by all means do see “Transformers: Age of Extinction”. It’s a must see in IMAX, but you can skip the 3D.

This is a 2 Star movie

Think Like A Man Too

This was the highly anticipated sequel to the 2012 hit “Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man”. Well as often goes a sequel is usually not as good as its predecessor. “Think Like A Man Too” is such a sequel.

Picking up where they left off from two years ago the couples head to Las Vegas for a wedding celebration. Their plans go awry when their various misadventures turn into trouble and they all land in jail. The story unfolds from there…

Instead of being funny, Kevin Hart is annoying and irritating in the movie. I was hoping that someone in the movie would slap him. There is being funny and then there is being raunchy. Kevin was just plain raunchy.
The story is somewhat predictable, but there are a few unexpected surprises. The movie is silly and just plain stupid. The first installment was very good.

“Think Like A Man Too” is disappointing… I would only spend money seeing this movie if you have absolutely nothing to do this weekend.
Otherwise wait for DVD, Blueray or Cable

This movie is worth 1 1/2 stars

The Fault In Our Stars

“The Fault In Our Stars” is an excellent movie, but not one to see if you are currently dealing with any type of personal tragedy involving a loved one.

“The Fault In Our Stars” is about two extra ordinary teenagers (Gus & Hazel) who meet at a cancer support group. Their friendship grows quickly and they fall in love. Through their extra-ordinary friendship they explore life, love and tragedy. The story unfolds from there…

“The Fault In Our Stars” is based on the best-selling novel by John Green. The story is intense, heart-warming, funny, sweet and tearful. The performances by Shailene Woodley (She was the star in “Divergent”) and Ansel Elgort will have you rooting for them.

This is a tear-jerker, take a box of tissues with you.

This is a 4 star movie

Edge of Tomorrow the IMAX Experience

“Edge of Tomorrow” is “Superbly Executed”

Once again Earth is under attack. This time it’s in the near future and the alien race comes calling. They strike in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. They must be stopped before they reach North America and beyond.

Major William Cage (Tom Cruise) is an officer who has never seen a day of combat, but he has strong ideas of how to attack and kill the alien invaders. Because of his ideas, Major Cage is unwillingly dropped into the middle of the combat action and forced into what appears to be a suicide mission. It is literally “Live, Die, Repeat” on a daily basis. It’s a time loop that keeps going. The story unfolds from there…

I am usually “Luke-Warm” about a Tom Cruise movie, but he is awesome in “Edge of Tomorrow”. This is because he doesn’t bring as much intensity to his character as he usually does. He really shows a range of emotions in this movie.
You really must pay attention. Because of the “Time Loop” you don’t want to miss a thing. This is superbly executed. The special effects, action and cinematography are great! Emily Blunt and Tom Cruise have good “on-screen” chemistry.

“Edge of Tomorrow” is a wild ride on the edge of your seat! It’s definitely a must see in IMAX. If you like “Sci-Fi” Action, this is your movie.

This is a 4 star movie.