REVIEW: Jurassic World

JURASSIC WORLD

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW

RATED: PG-13

RATING: *****/*****

 

PREMISE: (via IMDB) 22 years after the original Jurassic Park failed, the new park (also known as Jurassic World) is open for business. After years of studying genetics the scientists on the park genetically engineer a new breed of dinosaur. When everything goes horribly wrong, will our heroes make it off the island?

 

THE PRO'S: Extremely fun, engaging story, awesome Dinosaurs, absolutely EPIC finale and final fight, character dynamics are excellent.

 

THE CON'S: Needed a little more peril for the tourists, more time in the park before the destruction could have been nice, some characters needed more to do.

 

THE REVIEW:

Now, this review was held off for a good reason: I'm a Jurassic Park fanboy, always have been, always will be. And I wanted a second viewing before I sold you guys on how awesome it was from opening day awe alone. But after my second showing tonight, I can honestly say: not only is the park open, but it is SPECTACULAR.

 

The story of Jurassic World picks up more than two decades after the original. With a fully functioning park on Isla Nubar (where Jurassic Park originated) having been up and running for nearly a decade. Unfortunately, attendance is slowly declining as interest in dinosaurs drops drastically. A fact which forces the higher-ups to create something new to bring back the wow factor: a genetic hybrid. Unfortunately, the super-intelligent creature soon backfires drastically as it escapes and begins hunting for sport on the island.

 

Since I will admittedly be gushing for most of this review otherwise, I'm going to get what I felt were the Cons of this movie out of the way first. First of all: for a fully-functioning park to be open, I expected a bit more carnage when everything went down. The fact it was contained mostly to where the leads were really needed to be scrapped in favor of chaos exploding in the park. Though make no mistake, when things go down around the tourists it is AWESOME. I would have loved to see more of that dynamic explored.

 

On top of this, I feel we needed a little more time spent in the park itself. Yes, we get a lot of time as it is, but a lot of the wonder comes from seeing this fully-functioning park. And I think, again, maybe a little more time spent with exploring the park and showing more attractions could have been thrown in. Which itself would have lent to my first qualm about the movie, because the more dinos introduced could have meant more means of chaos.

And finally, in order to get into my last qualm, I first have to say. I'm in the minority, but I loved the characters. I thought the dynamics between everyone were great, and though they aren't totally deep, neither were the original group. So I really loved them for the fun characters they were, and the cast delivered great performances.

 

But this said, my qualm here is some were underused too much. I especially felt there was a lot of untapped potential in Jeff Goldbloom (Ian Malcom) stand-in Lowrey and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard)'s assistant, Zara. Who at the end of the day, were fun in what screentime they had, but definitely needed more screen time. Something I think should be fixed in a sequel and its characters is simply put: let the supporting cast have their time to shine too.

 

Now that this is out of the way, I have to say, despite its faults Jurassic World is by far THE best sequel we have gotten to the original. To say the least, it made me feel like a giddy little kid again in the best way. In short, I feel that all the wonder, and action of the original is here, and it is just SO much fun. Probably the most fun movie of the summer so far, next to Avengers, and it's clear that the filmmakers had fun too, which only adds to it.

 

Another huge plus is the story itself. I feel like though some ideas were underused, the story wasn't. I liked who I was supposed to like, I hated who I was supposed to hate, and I really enjoyed how well the story came together as a whole. Everything about it seemed to just work remarkably well, and while the plot isn't anything deep or profound it is definitely well done and handled.

 

And speaking of the story, I have to say, the finale it led to almost made the movie all on its own. I cannot say this enough: that finale was probably the best of any movie of its kind. I dare not even begin to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it. It's something none of the trailers dared to give away either. But boy, is it just about the biggest crowd-pleaser I have seen in a long time. And I could not help but clap at it both times I saw the film.

 

But by far the best thing about it, as it should be is the dinosaurs. Specifically I really, really enjoyed "raptor squad". I know that a lot of people were skeptical about the use of "trained raptors" in this movie, but it was pulled off brilliantly. And they easily, by leaps and bounds, stole the show with their awesome personalities and fun nature.

 

Other dinosaur highlights come from the new hybrid: The Indonemous Rex (or D-REX), who is probably the second best villain the series has had (right behind the T-Rex). And the Pterodactyls, whose scene is probably one of the most memorable in the entire film. But really, there are tons of cool dinosaurs to gawk at and be amazed by throughout. So frankly, it did its job well.

 

And as said before, the acting and characters are lots of fun themselves. I really enjoyed everyone, with big stand-outs for me being the two kids Zach and Grey  (Nick Robinson and Ty Sympkins), Owen Grady (Chris Pratt), Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard), Barry (Omar Si), and Lowrey (Jake Johnson). All of them really gave it their all, and delivered some fun and memorable performances, at least in my opinion. I can't wait to see how further stories expand upon the surviving characters.

 

So, to wrap this up....

 

IN CONCLUSION:

Jurassic World is THE summer blockbuster to beat, and THE best Jurassic Park sequel of them all. Its engaging story, fun visuals and dinosaurs, outstanding cast and chemistry, and just pure awesomeness clearly outweighs any negatives in this film. Whether you're an old fan, or someone totally new, if you haven't seen this, put it at the top of your list. You won't regret it.

 

5 OUT OF 5 STARS

MY HIGHEST RECCOMENDATIONS


A SIDE NOTE:
Let me save fellow super-fans a little disappointment. If you read the "news" that Lex Murphy (the little girl in the original) was going to be back in some way. It ended up being a bogus rumor, she is nowhere to be found in the sequel (sad to say). Hopefully they'll bring both generations together in the inevitable Part 5 though!

 









THE VAULT OF HORRIBLE HORRORS: Bonnie and Clyde vs Dracula (2008)

THE PREMISE:

Bonnie and Clyde so random, terrible things along the country side. Meanwhile some dude in a hood randomly sets out to bring Dracula back to life. Somehow, after about 40 minutes of two completely unrelated but amazing ghetto stories, they meet up. And Dracula decides to terrorize them, and feast on them. Oh, and there's Annabelle, who is the best character in the history of ever, and star of "THE ANNABELLE SHOW".

 

HOW BAD IS IT?: Ummmm did you read the title? It is literally a movie about Bonnie and Clyde crossing paths with Dracula. And on top of not featuring any of their actual gang, the entire movie is literally an hour and thirty minutes of bad dialogue, absolute hilarity, and nonsense. And it's amazing.

 

NOTABLE FOR: Having either the best or the worst plot in the history of ever. Seriously, I haven't decided which yet. But I am pretty sure there were a lot of drugs involved in the making of this film. It's also notable for having very little to do with Dracula. And even better, being the only movie to feature a guy who wears a sack the entire movie for no reason whatsoever.

 

FUN LEVEL: Very Fun

 

RECOMMENDED VIEWING METHOD: Get a couple of friends in a chat room, or over to the house. And pull this modern day classic up on Youtube.

 

MINI-REVIEW:

 

What do you get when you cross the two most infamous bank robbers in history with Bram Stoker's Dracula? Apparently one of the best "bad" movies I've seen in recent years. You also apparently get about 40 minutes of an awful, completely inaccurate Bonnie and Clyde story followed by thirty minutes of Dracula even being a thing.

 

 By far the best thing about this movie is Annabelle:

Seriously, this movie should have been titled Annabelle: The Movie. Because her performance is by far the best thing I have ever seen. When she's not acting like a total fruit loop, her hobbies include slaying your favs and being the best thing in this movie. Seriously, can we get an Annabelle spin-off? Because she>>>>>>>>>>>>the entire movie that was actually called Annabelle.

 

Wait, I should be talking about the actual movie, right. Ummmm. It was literally so amazing that they spent the entire opening with two people that they made look like Bonnie and Clyde before actually showing the real thing. And me, nor the two people I watched it with knew they WEREN'T the real deal. So you can say that the effort put into this movie was STELLAR!

 

Also there is this guy with a sack over his head:

Sack Masked Jason Voorhees, is that you?

 

Who apparently decided to also change sacks for a dinner party. What the hell? What is under this sack? What is he hiding? To be honest, my guess is he genuinely just refused to show his face in this movie. And we don't blame you sack-man. We don't blame you.

 

Oh you want to know how Bonnie and Clyde were? Well, Bonnie was amazing. But I forgot Clyde existed about half-way through the movie, so more power to you if you're strong enough to remember him. But let's face it, if you're looking for a relevant interpretation of these two, go watch anything, and I do mean anything else.

 

So in short, this movie was the most ghetto of ghetto horror movies. And apparently it will soon be joined by 60s classics: "Jesse James meets The Daughter of Frankenstein" and "Billy The Kid vs Dracula". Because now that I discovered these exist, I am by no means not going to watch these horrible little gems.

 

SUGGESTED DRINKING GAME: Drink every time you wish Dracula would show up and eat someone already.

NETFLIX REVIEW: Earth To Echo

EARTH TO ECHO

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW (Netflix)

RATED: PG

RATING: ***/*****

 

PREMISE: (via IMDB) "Earth to Echo" follows four young teenagers who find an alien life form that's trying to rebuild its spaceship. Together, the teenagers protect the alien and help rebuild it's ship so it can fly back to its home planet.               

 

THE PRO'S: Echo is ADORABLE. Fun, heartwarming story. Mostly well-written. Decent for low-budget fair.

 

THE CON'S: Acting is subpar, borrows a little too much from ET, boring at times.

 

THE REVIEW:

 

Earth To Echo has always been a movie that interested me, but I had never actually gotten around to that. But ultimately, I find myself glad that yesterday I finally decided to give it a look. Even if it wasn't quite the "modern day classic" it felt like they were aiming for.

 

The film focuses on childhood friends: Alex, a foster kid, "Munch" a shy, technology savvy teen, and Tuck, an aspiring filmmaker. The night before they're supposed to vacate their Las Vegas suburb, they come into contact with a small alien they name Echo. At which point, their adventure (on which they are joined by a young girl named Emma) to get Echo home begins.

 

If this sounds a little like ET to you, that's sort of the biggest problem here. It is a lot like ET, which sort of hinders it from really being that "original". And while overall, it's a good movie, the ET connections is glaring sadly. Which to some, may be a turn-off, but Earth To Echo has a heart that is just undeniable and made me keep watching.

 

And that's its biggest strength: its heart. Each of the characters (while not all that well acted), are very real characters in my opinion. Their dialogue feels realistic, and their interactions are also very real. It helps to make me overlook the somewhat (again) poor acting. And definitely helps the movie tell its story well. I will give it that.

Though I admit the movie does falter on some fronts with the characters. Mostly in resolving some of the conflicts throughout it. Some of them seem like they simply are written off, or settled way too quickly. And I feel if the movie had a bit longer running time, it could have opened the door to a bit more character development between them.

 

But the real reason to watch the movie is mostly Echo itself. He is quite honestly one of the most adorable aliens in modern cinema. Though we don't see him on screen as much as I'd like, I couldn't help but find him to be cute. And I can honestly say that I would love to own my own Echo. The little guy just has a lot of personality, even with limited screen-time, and also is a lot of fun.

 

And yet, as exciting as the premise is. This movie can get pretty boring. The movie's scavenger hunt style ends in a lot of similar shots, and situations. And at some points, it feels like it really has no idea where it's going and can get boring. But while it someone detracts from the enjoyment, the movie is still exciting enough that it doesn't really matter. Kids will definitely still enjoy it either way. (and they are the target audience after all)

 

So....

 

IN CONCLUSION:

Earth to Echo is a cute little family/kids film. While a little on the boring side, and with some pretty bad acting (with some good ones also thrown in there) it's still a fun way to kill an hour and a half. If you're a parent, enjoy this one with your kids. They are sure to love it, and you are sure to find something to like too!

 

3 OUT OF 5 STARS
RECOMMENDED



REVIEW: Tomorrowland

TOMORROWLAND

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW

RATED: PG

RATING: *****/*****

 

PREMISE: (via IMDB) Bound by a shared destiny, a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity and a former boy-genius inventor jaded by disillusionment embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space that exists in their collective memory as "Tomorrowland."      

 

THE PRO'S: Imaginative, intriguing story. Great acting and writing. Good overall message.  Very touching.

 

THE CON'S: A bit too little time spent in Tommorowland itself.

 

THE REVIEW:

 

So this was one that had me intrigued for some time between the mysterious trailers, and the great cast. So I went into this one super-excited, especially when I heard good things from the theater I formerly worked at. And boy was I not disappointed.

 

The movie tells the story of Casey Newton, a big dreamer whose dad is about to be laid off, and who is doing everything she can to keep his job going. One of these stunts lands her in jail, where she discovers a pin she never knew she had. The pin shows her a vision of a place unlike any other: Tomorrowland. The discovery sets her on the path to saving the world with the help of a child-like android, Athena, and a former child genius.

And what a creative journey they all take us on. To begin with, everything in the movie is handled very well. The world that Disney created (based on their Tomorrowland park) is just awesome, and, for what little time we spend in it, magical. Sadly we only get to see a little of the "magical" Tomorrowland, and this is the movie's only fault. I feel like it definitely needed more time getting to see and discover the world, sadly.

 

But that's okay, because it does little to detract from the movie itself. The story itself is super creative, even when we spend time in our world. It's an action thrill ride with a lot of heart, and has a lot of fun sci-fi throwbacks that help to move the story along not only at a brisk pace, but with some absolutely fun references.

 

Probably my favorite part of the movie is the actors and their relationships with each other. Both Thomas Robinson and George Clooney (Young and older Frank respectively) really carry the movie very well. With Clooney's relationships with Casey, played by Britt Robertson, and Athena, played by  Raffy Cassidy really driving the movie. All of the actors really bring an excellent amount of acting to the table, and play it off realistically enough that it's very easy to forget you're watching a movie.

 

I especially love the action, next to the story and the characters/actors. The action in this movie is top-notch, and while over the top at times, is super fun. I especially enjoyed the fights against the androids that chased the leads, as they really were a funny group and brought a ton of humor whenever they were on-screen and were just a pleasure.

 

But most of all, I love the message that the movie ultimately gives. I feel like it's a message people seldom think of, but is one that really just makes the movie stand-out. I won't give the ultimate message away, but I really, really liked it.

 

So....

 

IN CONCLUSION:

 

Tomorrowland is a fun little gem of a film. With a super fun story, characters, and action driving it, it's definitely one of the most fun family-action films out there! If you get the chance, give this one a look, you won't be disappointed.

 

5 OUT OF 5 STARS

MY HIGHEST RECOMMENDATIONS

REVIEW: Pitch Perfect 2

PITCH PERFECT 2

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW

RATED: PG-13

RATING: *****/*****

 

PREMISE: (via IMDB)The Bellas are back, and they are better than ever. After being humiliated in front of none other than the President of the United States of America, the Bellas are taken out of the Aca-Circuit. In order to clear their name and regain their status, the Bellas take on a seemingly impossible task: winning an International competition no American team has ever won. In order to accomplish this monumental task, they need to strengthen the bonds of friendship and sisterhood, and blow away the competition with their amazing aca-magic! With all new friends and old rivals tagging along for the trip, the Bellas can hopefully accomplish their dreams once again.

 

THE PRO'S: Just as fun, funny, and exciting as the original. The new characters are extremely fun. Great music. Acting, writing, and story are solid.

THE CON'S: It's aca-awesome, I can't find any cons!

 

THE REVIEW:

 

And now for one of my favorite movies of the summer so far! That's right, the return of the amazing Barton Bellas! And let me tell you, an awesome return it definitely is! And I am definitely just as much in love with it as the original.

 

The film takes place three years after the original. After a humiliating moment performing for the President, the Bella's are banned from competitions during their senior year. Angry and humiliated, they make a bet: if they can win the world championships they will be reinstated. And now, with a host of new Bella's (including a legacy) along for the ride, they prepare to do just that.

 

And it's just as fun an adventure as the original by far, if not even better! The humor here is right on-point with the hilarious original. Each character has time to crack their fun one-liners, and the leads as usual are a riot. Though of course, Elizabeth Banks (also the director) and John Michael Higgins both steal the show with their snarky commentary!

 

What's more, the new characters are absolutely awesome too! Both of the new rivals are a lot of fun, even though they are pure evil. And Hailee Steinfeld's new Bella, Emily also kicks a lot of butt. I was especially impressed with Steinfeld, considering I had never heard her sing, she had an amazing singing voice. As usual, the rest of the characters are on top of their game and Brittany Snow, Anna Kendrick, and Rebel Wilson are all amazing in their roles.

 

Another important part handled well here is the music! Wow, I really loved all of the music in here. Their song, Flashlight is a personal favorite of mine, not only is it catchy, but it's really fun too. Other highlights include the "Crazy Youngsters" song done over the credits, and practically every song that was used for this film's riff-off. Really, all of the music was really great this time, without a bad one in the bunch.

 

The story here is also really fun as well. It's not exactly the most deep story in the world, but the message and heart to it are just great. I loved it's message about growing up and moving on, and I loved how they handled it. I felt like I could really connect with the girls on an even bigger level than I did in the original, considering I graduated last semester and had the same issues.

And that's ultimately why these movies are so great. The characters feel very real and authentic, especially here. I feel like everyone can relate to someone in this movie, and what they're going through. And it's for that reason I continue to be impressed with the great writing this series has. And hope it continues for a long time. (A third is already in the works!)

 

So....

 

IN CONCLUSION:

 

Pitch Perfect 2 is aca-amazing! I really enjoyed this movie on both a fan and critical level. It's a lot of fun, funny, and entertaining. And if you loved the original, you're sure to love this one!

 

5 OUT OF 5 STARS

MY HIGHEST RECOMMNDATIONS

 

 



REVIEW: Poltergeist

POLTERGEIST

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW

RATED: PG-13

RATING: ****/*****

 

PREMISE: (via IMDB) Legendary filmmaker Sam Raimi and director Gil Kenan reimagine and contemporize the classic tale about a family whose suburban home is invaded by angry spirits. When the terrifying apparitions escalate their attacks and take the youngest daughter, the family must come together to rescue her.               

 

THE PRO'S: Retains the heart and spirit of the original, genuinely and thoughtfully suspenseful, some interesting and fun ideas in there, good acting, gives a unique perspective on the original story, what it does new it does well.

 

THE CON'S: The tree scene is a HUGE disappointment, could have done more to make it original, still doesn't hold a candle to the original.

 

THE REVIEW:

Now this was a movie I have been weary about for some time. Between constant (terrible sounding) rewrites, and some harsh sounding reviews for early scripts, my hopes weren't high. But given I liked the trailers, I decided to give this a chance. And as a long-time Poltergeist super fan, I am here to say I don't regret it at all.

 

If you know the story, it's pretty similar to the original. The film focuses on the family's only son, Griffin, who is forced to move with the rest of them to a home after the father loses his job. Immediately, Griffin notices something isn't right with the house, and even less right with his little sister: Maddie. After a terror-filled night with his siblings, Maddie is abducted by the spirits he's tried to warn the family about and they are forced to call in paranormal investigators for help. Beginning a supernatural battle for Maddie's soul.

 

In the end, they took a big risk in remaking this horror classic, and I will say that it both did and didn't work. In this case, I'd like to get the bad out of the way first. Starting with the big one: one of the most terrifying scenes in the film is absolutely butchered here. Yes, I mean the tree scene. As awesome a build-up as it had, I was really upset when I found out how it was handled. Because it was just absolutely disappointing. So I feel it best to warn you about that first.

 

The rest lies in its originality. While it has a lot of it in the suspense, and build up, the story is basically the same. They've done nothing to throw any "big" twists in the plot. Even with a new kid to see through the eyes of in Griffin, nothing really changes. But it's not necessarily the worst thing, especially since Griffin is a great protagonist, things DID need to be changed up a bit more. It's this reason I feel it ultimately still didn't hold a candle to the original.

 

Now that we have the bad out of the way, let's get to all the GOOD things about this movie. And there are a lot. First and foremost, the suspense in this movie is top notch. Even knowing what was happening, I cannot count the amount of times I was gripping my chair in suspense. The movie makers clearly took great care to make sure they didn't just rely on jump scares. And instead created enough tension to keep it interesting.

 

And speaking of tone, boy did this one keep the original's well. I was so impressed with how much this film felt like a Poltergeist film. It still had that heart to it that I've come to love about these movies, and gave it a great feel. This is especially helped by the unique perspective on the story they have taken, by putting it through the eyes of the son.  Kyle Cattlet carries the movie well, and really embodies the spirit of the original well.

What's more what it does new, it does well. Without giving anything away to people, I can say there are quite a few cool little bits. Especially at the end, where the movie goes to some interesting places. I really enjoyed it for at least bringing SOME new things to the original, even if it is still just mostly a straight remake.

 

Acting-wise, as I said, Kyle Cattlet is awesome. While Kennedi Clements does a good job as Carol-Anne's update, Madison aka "Maddie", though she doesn't quite have the same haunting, angelic quality that Heather O'Rourke did. And finally, Jared Harris stands out as usual as Tangina's new version, Cariggan Burke, and does a very good job with it as well. Everyone else was good in their respective roles as well, but those three definitely stood out most.

 

So to wrap this review up...

 

IN CONCLUSION:

Poltergeist is nothing new, but that's okay, because it's still worthy of the legacy it carries the title of. Its unique perspective on the story, generally fun feel, and suspense make this movie well worth the look for new fans and old ones alike.

 

4 OUT OF 5 STARS

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED



REVIEW: San Andreas

SAN ANDREAS

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW

RATED: PG-13

RATING: ****/*****

 

PREMISE: (via IMDB) In the aftermath of a massive earthquake in California, a rescue-chopper pilot makes a dangerous journey across the state in order to rescue his daughter.

 

THE PRO'S: Insanely fun, intense action sequences, amazing special effects, solid acting and writing.

 

THE CON'S: Pretty cliché most of the time, unnecessary sub-plot.

 

 

THE REVIEW:

So another year, another big disaster movie. I know the drill all too well by now, but something always draws me to these because I just enjoy them. And I must say, San Andreas not only wasn't an exception, but was a pleasant surprise.

 

The movie focuses on Ray, a helicopter pilot who is caught in the wake of the "San Andreas Fault Quake" that has been theorized about for years. Along with his ex-wife, Emma, he makes a dangerous quest from LA to San Fransisco in hopes of rescuing his daughter, Blake, who has been abandoned by her stepfather, and is seeking refuge with a pair of Brittish brothers on holiday: Ben and Ollie. Meanwhile, a group of scientists, and a reporter, attempt to warn the world that the chaos is far from over.

 

While San Andreas isn't the best disaster film out there, it's still one of the better ones. The thing that sets it apart is just how well the disaster is handled. The special effects in this movie are top-notch, and each action sequence feels more intense then the last. Particularly the entire finale sequence (which I won't give away here), is absolutely awesome and extremely suspenseful. I was gripping the edge of my seat (quite literally) the whole way through it.

 

Though the movie is cliché, and I can't say otherwise, it also does a good job with its characters. Everyone in the movie, with the exception of the stepfather, is extremely likable and human. I felt like despite the (let's face it) unrealistic actions they did, they all still were relatable on some level. And the writer here did a very good job in that respect.

 

As usual in these movies I can only really say the acting is "good". Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson does a good job as our hero, and probably was given the most to work with. While Alexandria Daddario surprised me with a really good performance. Though she did good in Percy Jackson, her other roles being not as good made me nervous. But here, she is at the top of her game, and seems to really be enjoying herself. While no one else totally stands out, everyone pulls off good enough performances that nothing detracts from the movie.

 

I will say that the biggest fault the movie has is in the character of Lawrence played by Paul Giamatti and the news crew. As fun as the character is, he really plays no significant role outside of warning everybody. Which I thought was a problem overall. His role could have easily been confined to someone on the TV or radio warning everybody. But instead, we are taken away from the actual story in order to indulge in this and it just ultimately doesn't work.

 

That being said.....

 

IN CONCLUSION:

San Andreas is not the best or most original disaster movie ever. But it IS a ton of fun, and a great time at the movies. With some good performances, and relatable characters, it is well worth the admission price. Go in there expecting something fun, and you won't be disappointed.

 

4 OUT OF 5 STARS

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

 





REVIEW: Insidious: Chapter 3

INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW

RATED: PG-13

RATING: *****/*****

PREMISE: (via IMDB) A prequel set before the haunting of the Lambert family that reveals how gifted psychic Elise Rainier reluctantly agrees to use her ability to contact the dead in order to help a teenage girl who has been targeted by a dangerous supernatural entity.

THE PRO'S: Excellent storytelling, characters, acting, and writing. Very, very scary and atmospheric.

THE CON'S: None I can give away without spoiling it.

THE REVIEW:

So first of all, this segment has a guest review from a friend of mine, Chris! So before I go into my review, allow me a minute to share his thoughts! :D :

I have never seen the first two of this movie series and after seeing chapter 3 I greatly enjoyed it haven't been so scared since the conjuring. Great mix of horror and suspense. Love the bit of comedy in the film. I think the best part was I did not see it alone movies like need to be enjoyed with friends. I will now have to watch both part one and two for sure now.

----------------------------

Now onto my review...

I'll make no secret of it, I love the Insidious movies. They're great ghost stories with some awesome characters, and great scares. So going into the third one, I wondered just how they could possibly top 1 or 2. I must say they did so, and they did it well.

Chapter 3 actually takes us back in time. An unspecified amount of time before the events of the first film, psychic Elise, is trying to get over the death of her husband, and a horrific entity that has scared her out of her line of work. All this changes when, out of the blue, a young woman named Quinn Brenner ends up on her doorstep trying to contact her dead mother. A seemingly harmless event at the time. But what Elise doesn't realize is that soon, Quinn makes contact with a spirit on her own, and it's definitely not her mother, and threatens her life.

I must say, to start my review off, I think that the smartest thing the creators did was to get rid of the Lambert's. I loved them, but their story didn't really touch the one presented here. Here, I felt a broad connection beyond what I felt for them. And what's more, I found the story ten times more interesting, especially told from a new main point of view: that of a teenager.

And the teenager that carries the film, Stefanie Scott is one great little actress. Not only was this a hard undertaking, going from Disney to basically carrying half a horror film, but she does it in stride. Good on the creators for taking on an actress that may not be a big name, but who definitely has the acting chops this movie needed. But of course, the entire cast holds its own. Especially, the amazing Lin Shaye. Who once again wows as Elise, who is at the top of her game here and is just a complete and utterly awesome hero.

What amazed me most about the cast though is just how well they meshed. The chemistry between everyone in this movie is undeniable. I really felt like they were not playing parts, and everyone gave their absolute all. While Scott and Shaye took the spotlight, don't get me wrong, you'll find top-notch acting from everyone in this movie.

The story this time around is absolutely solid too. I was really intrigued by how this film dealt with loss and guilt in many forms. With a heavy message of how to move on with your life after death, and find the courage to go on. Though most of the time, a demon isn't included in this problem, it none-the-less merges horror and grief excellently. And thus I reiterate, it was an absolute treat that blew the first two stories out of the water.

But the real question is, is it scary? And let me tell you, it is. For a first time director, Leigh Wannell knows how to build suspense. And he does it with such grace and style it was hard for me to tell that this was even his first time. All the scares are effective, and even jump scares are used excellently. It's all just awesome and really makes this one hell of a good time.

So all in all...

IN CONCLUSION:

Insidious: Chapter 3 is the ultimate chapter in this horror trilogy. (so far) With an awesome story, acting, writing, and characters, this is the one that is NOT to be missed. If you love the original, or are just a new viewer, everyone should find something to love!

5 OUT OF 5 STARS

MY HIGHEST RECOMMENDATIONS



YOUTUBE REVIEW: Don't Look In The Basement

DON'T LOOK IN THE BASEMENT

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW (Youtube)

RATED: R

RATING: ***/*****

SYNOPSIS: (Via IMDB) Nurse Charlotte Beale arrives at the isolated Stephens Sanitarium to work, only to learn that Dr. Stephens was murdered by one of the patients and his successor, Dr. Geraldine Masters, is not very eager to take on new staff. Charlotte finds her job maddeningly hard as the patients torment and harass her at every turn, and she soon learns why Dr. Masters is so eager to keep outsiders out.

THE PRO'S: VERY eerie, some actually good performances, oozes cheesy 70s fun, likable lead characters.

THE CON'S:  Other performances are hit-or-miss, hasn't aged well, opening is cringe-worthy

THE REVIEW:

Now, this is one I've meant to look at for a while. And though it's not my favorite 70s movie like I thought it might be, it definitely was a boat-load of fun, and definitely worth a look. If only to see one of the creepiest premises I've ever seen play out.

The movie follows Charolette Beale, who arrives at Stephen's Sanitorium following the accidental death of the head doctor. Put to work as a nurse, she soon learns the patients run free, and becomes at-odds with new head doctor Geraldine Masters. What Charolette doesn't realize however, is the pressure of the new job is the least of her worries as the chaos surrounding the asylum begins to escalate.

On the surface, DLITB is just your run of the mill 70s grindhouse film. But while it is in a lot of ways, the movie also has a lot going for it. Mainly, its awesome atmosphere. Though the opening is really, really silly and off-putting the rest of the movie is the opposite. From the title card to end the movie creates a sense of dread and tension that simply is unsettling and disturbing. And I found myself very much on edge throughout. 

What's more, the characters within the movie are so much fun. With Masters, Charolette, and Sam (a labotomy patient with the mind of a child) all being well-acted, written, and their portrayals very solid. While a lot of the other actors are hit-or-miss, in the case of these three, they carry the movie excellently. And while most other actors don't do a very good job, I have to say, each character has a very distinct voice. And while it is very cheesy sometimes, each is just likable and crazy enough for me to  enjoy them.

The story itself is cheesy seventies fun, it's nothing deep, but it is scary. And for that matter, the movie has a plethora of twists to keep things interesting, and the viewer on their toes. The only thing I do want to add here is that many aspects of the film's story show it hasn't aged well, sadly. And though it is still fun to watch, some things just wouldn't sit right in present day, and therefore the movie is best viewed as a period piece.

The last thing of note to say is that I really enjoyed this movie, like I really, really enjoyed it. And if nothing else, I recommend it to horror fans because it's just a movie that you can really get into. It's equal parts funny (for the wrong reasons) and scary enough that it makes for a fun popcorn flick on a quiet night.

And so....

IN CONCLUSION:

Don't Look in the Basement is A LOT of fun. It's a very flawed movie, but its atmosphere and likability both character and story-wise saves it from being anything "bad". If you're into fun, cheesy, sometimes eerie old horror movies, give it a look. And if you like this one, a sequel is on the way from the original director's son, later this year!

3 OUT OF 5 STARS
RECOMMENDED

 YOU CAN SEE THE MOVIE NOW BY CLICKING THE PLAYER BELLOW: 

AMAZON INSTANT-VIDEO REVIEW: The Guest

THE GUEST 

RELEASE DATE: AVAILABLE NOW (DVD, BLU RAY, ON-DEMAND)

RATED: R

RATING: ****/*****

PREMISE: (VIA IMDB) A soldier introduces himself to the Peterson family, claiming to be a friend of their son who died in action. After the young man is welcomed into their home, a series of accidental deaths seem to be connected to his presence.

THE PRO'S: Fun, fast-paced, action packed, full of suspense, darkly humerous, great character development.

THE CON'S: Somewhat dull set of parents, slightly ridiculous plot points.

THE REVIEW:

So after hearing some really good things about this film, I decided to finally check it out. Especially given the director is attached to one of the American  adaptations of one of my favorite stories: Death Note. And I am so, so glad I gave this interesting little thriller a chance.

 The Guest tells the story of the Peterson family, who receives an unexpected "Guest" at their door. The man, David, claims to be a friend of their son who was killed in action. And while David appears charming and charismatic, underneath it all lies a dark, dangerous secret that sends the life of the family's eldest daughter into a tailspin of chaotic proportions.

Now while The Guest might seem like a run-of-the-mill horror movie, I can assure you it's not. Actually, from the get-go the film is an intense, slow-burn thriller that pulls you in deeper and deeper as it goes on. This is thanks to some masterful storytelling from both the director and writer, who bring a mystique and excellent level of suspense to it. Both aspects here are absolutely seamless and give this movie serious bonus points.

But even moreso, the driving force of the movie is the performances by lead actors Dan Stevens and Maika Monroe. Having seen both only  a few times before, the more I saw them in this movie, the more convinced I became that they are destined to be future stars. Dan Stevens portrayal of David is fantastic, finding an excellent balance between cunning psychopath and likable stud. While Maika's performance as the eldest daughter is believable and intense.

On the downside, one flaw the movie DOES have is that the parents are not well cast at all. And I would say even bring down some of the better performances in the movie when  two of its main stars are not doing a good job. But that's okay, they are simply two bad apples in a fantastic bunch, after all.

The way the story moves along is another huge plus for me. Not only did the movie keep me on my toes, but it's unique blend of action sequences and horror movie suspense simply rocked. The movie, even when there's nothing outright "bad" happening it, manages to create an excellent amount of tension and ultimately works better than most action-thrillers in theaters these days, at least for me.

That said, there are some fairly silly plot points that ultimately could have been much better handled. A few things had me shaking my head, and just felt like they were pushing things a little too far. It was this reason I ultimately could not give this movie a perfect score. Simply put it needed to shed these bits for me to feel it's worthy of that.

This said, overall...

IN CONCLUSION:

The Guest is a smart, fun action-thriller that is well worth the look. With excellent writing and direction, as well as performances from the two main stars. I cannot recommend it enough.

 4 OUT OF 5 STARS

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

REVIEW: Avengers: Age of Ultron

AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW

RATED: PG-13

RATING: *****/*****

 SUMMARY: (Via-IMDB) When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth's Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for a global adventure.

THE PRO'S: Stunning special effects, awesome use of its characters, absolutely complete and utter fun, fantastic use of its villain

THE CON'S: Some plot points seem unecessary.

THE REVIEW:

Ah, Marvel Movies, how I love thee. It's no secret I'm a huge superhero film fan, so I have been extremely pumped to see this movie. Not even some lackluster reviews could deter me, and I'm glad they didn't because this movie was just AWESOME.

NOTE: If you haven't been following these movies, the synopsis for this movie DOES contain spoilers for previous films in the series. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

The film picks up sometime after the events of "The Winter Soldier". The Avengers, now a fully functioning team, have just come off hunting down the remnants of HYDRA and Tony Stark and Bruce Banner are hard at work on a peacekeeping program: "Ultron". Unfortunately, their use of Loki's Sceptar from the first film to jumpstart the program has unforeseen consequences. And now, a self-aware, and extremely twisted "Ultron" has been unleashed upon the world, beginning a new struggle for our heroic team. 

ANY SPOILERS FOR THE UNIVERSE END HERE. The review for the movie itself is SPOILER-FREE both for the movie and the universe.

What results is a fun, action-packed thrill ride that totally kicked so much butt. I think this movie definitely topped the original for me for a few reasons. And one of them is that as a villain, Ultron is absolutely awesome. I genuinely love his attitude and his character, played by the great James Spader, is well-acted and done. As much as I love Loki, he is also the most formidable and interesting of the characters the Avengers have faced, and I think he even upped the ante and stakes to a point that made it awesome.

And that's another thing this movie gets right: the new kids on the block. With a movie that introduces SO many key players into the mix: Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, and Vision, it does them all so well. All three are given an excellent amount of screen-time, and each is developed so well you can't help but love them all. This film even managed to finally make a Scarlet Witch fan out of me, despite my "meh"-ness at her in the past. She was probably my favorite new character in the movie, followed by Quicksilver, and Vision. 

As far as acting goes, everyone gave great performances. I was especially impressed with Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who both pull off believable Russian accents and superb acting in their roles as Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. Everyone else gives off the same, well-done performances we are all no doubt used to. While Jeremy Renner, who is given FAR more to do here as Hawkeye continues to impress as an actor and make great strides.

But of course, the biggest part of the movie is the action. And does  it deliver? Oh yes, it DEFINITELY delivers! The movie is action-packed from beginning to end, with some amazing acton sequences and special effects abound. You're sure to love it if you're an action fan, there's plenty of it, and the effects only add to it.

The only minor complaint I have, without giving spoilers, is that some plot points seem forced or silly. There aren't many, but there are moments that just seem off or sort of like "Why do you need to be in here though?". But they are few and far between and easily overlooked at least.

So....

IN CONCLUSION:

"Avengers: Age of Ultron" is yet another hit from Marvel! It's a fun, action-packed, well written, and acted summer blockbuster. I will definitely be excited to see what Marvel brings next in Ant-Man and Phase 3!

5 OUT OF 5 STARS

MY HIGHEST RECOMMENDATIONS

ON-DEMAND REVIEW: The Sisterhood of Night

THE SISTERHOOD OF NIGHT
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW (On-Demand)

RATED: PG-13

RATING: *****/*****

PREMISE: (via-IMDB) When Emily Parris exposes a secret society of teenage girls who have slipped out of the world of social media and into another world they've discovered in the woods at night. When she accuses the girls of committing sexually deviant activities, Emily sends the small American town into a atmosphere of hysteria and the national media spotlight. The mystery deepens when each of the accused girls upholds a vow of silence. 

 

THE PRO'S: Surprisingly deep story, exceptional acting and writing, very good social commentary, original, and most of all a great mystery.

 

THE CON'S: This movie has no cons. In fact I'd say everything about it makes it a MUST-SEE.

 

THE REVIEW:

The movie I am about to review may just be one of my favorite films of all time. I did not expect what I was in for when I finally sat down to watch it, but it looked great. But it ended up being more than great, it ended up being simply FANTASTIC.

 

The Sisterhood of Night tells the story of four girls: Mary, Lavinia, Catherine, and Emily. The former three are part of, and form a group known as "The Sisterhood of Night", while Emily is an outsider who desires to be a part of them. When a bitter Emily leaks the secret society to the town, it has startling effects of Witch Trial-porportions which sends their lives, and the lives of those around them into a chaotic tailspin.

 

Now I knew very little about this film going into it, never having read the short story it's based on, and only hearing about it here and there. But I am so glad this piqued my interest because it's just so good. First of all, the story is absolutely fantastic. It's presented very well and told in a way that both intrigued and fascinated me. And for a movie that definitely is not a horror film, it definitely created some fantastic suspense as well.

 

The performances that drive this movie are fabulous as well. I can see that each girl starring in this movie will most certainly have a long, illustrious career ahead of them if they keep this up. By far, I am stunned by Georgie Henley, who played Lucy in Narnia. Her performance here was by far the best in the movie, with her leading the group of actresses perfectly. She has grown into a beautiful young woman, and a force to be reckoned with acting wise. While Kara Hayward, Willa Cuthrell, and Olivia Dejonge all knock it out of the park as well. Bringing out performances that are both very real, and also very intense.

 

By far, the best part of this movie as I said before, however, is the sense of mystery. It's been a long time since I really felt so stumped about a movie as I was here. With each passing moment, I had a new idea of what The Sisterhood of Night may be up to in the woods. And when the answer is finally given, it was done so wonderfully, and shocked me on many levels. The pay-off for the mystery is fantastic, and well worth the journey it takes to get there.

 

But most of all, I want to applaud the writing here. It is by far a movie that really feels authentic with its teenage dialogue and characters. Never once did I find myself saying that a teenager wouldn't say this or do that, I felt like these were real kids that I could have gone to high school with. And I think that's a huge reason why this movie can resonate with everybody on some level.

 

Finally, I have to say that the message of this movie is one that truly needs to be put out there. It may be a simple message, but it's one that especially teens need to learn as they go into high school. And even some adults (if you ask me). And thus, if nothing else, have your teens watch this so they can hopefully absorb the message.

 

I could keep going, but instead, I'll wrap up my review by saying...

 

IN CONCLUSION: 

 

The Sisterhood of Night is a masterwork. Equal parts mysterious, sad, moving, and intriguing there is something for everyone to be found here. A great flick to watch, and definitely one that sends a good, well-needed message. If you get the chance, check this one out, you won't regret it.

5 OUT OF 5 STARS

MY HIGHEST RECOMMENDATIONS

DVD REVIEW: The Babadook

THE BABADOOK

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW (DVD)

RATED: R

RATING: *****/*****

WORTH BUYING?: If you have the money, yes. If not, this movie is also on Netflix for your viewing pleasure. I recommend watching it there before buying, just in case you for some reason don't enjoy it.

SPECIAL EDITION?: There is a special limited edition BLU RAY out that has a slip case with a pop up page.

THE PRO'S: Extremely eerie and unsettling story, great acting and writing, superb use of its titular villain, genuinely scary movie. If you're looking for a movie scary enough to give you nightmares, this is the one.

THE CON'S: Some of the more disturbing subject matter makes this not a movie for everyone.

THE REVIEW:

So, by now, I'm guessing most people have heard of this movie. It's a little hit movie out of Australia that has made waves in the industry. And I'm here to assure you all that it is for good reason, and that this gem of a movie is without a doubt worth all the acclaim it can get.

The film focuses on a widowed mother, Amelia, who finds a disturbing children's book known as "Mr Babadook" among her son, Samuel's children's books. What she initially finds as just a twisted storybook, and casts aside, however, takes a sinister turn as mysterious things happen around her home. Could Mr. Babadook be as real as the book makes it out to be? If it is, it could spell doom for them both.

The movie plays out as probably one of the best "monster horrors" I have seen in a while. With a big reason being that unlike 90% of these movies, we never see the monster. A great deal of the movie's suspense actually comes from the fact that "Mr. Babadook" is shrouded in mystery, and it works very much in the movies favor. I don't think I've ever been so afraid of something I couldn't actually see in a movie, and this movie proves that is very possible.

On top of its scare factor, the acting and writing in this movie is TOP NOTCH. With an amazing performance from our lead - Essie Davis. She is probably one of the best actresses I've seen in horror in a long time, just knocking it out of the park scene after scene. Extremely big props also go to the little boy in this movie, Noah Wiseman, who turns out a great role (although admittedly not as great) as her son Samuel. 

But even moreso than the monster, or the acting, the fear factor is what sets this movie apart from anything else (and in the same category as "It Follows"). The sheer feeling of dread and fear this movie creates is absolutely astounding as much as it is unsettling. Even when the movie is not trying to be absolutely terrifying, it still manages to completely unsettle its audience and leave you just WAITING for something to happen.

But by far the best part about The Babadook is how "old school" horror it is. If you're tired of horror movies with tons of gore, or teens running around to their death, this is the movie for you. The Babadook features very little in the way of blood and gore, in favor of its eerie chill factor and keeping it's audience on its toes and on the edge of their seat.

My only warning with this little gem is that it goes into some unsettling and dark subject matter. So be cautioned that some of this might make it NOT a movie for everyone. Even if it's a film I recommend any horror fan watch.  

And so, there's not much more to say other than....

IN CONCLUSION:

The Babadook is the movie that nightmares are made of. If you're looking for a good, chilling old-school horror movie to make you not want to turn off the lights tonight, this is the movie for you. Grab a bowl of popcorn, turn on Netflix, and enjoy this horror gem to the fullest. And remember "If it's in a word, or it's in a look. You can't get rid of The Babadook."

5 OUT OF 5 STARS

MY HIGHEST RECOMMENDATIONS

THE VAULT OF HORRIBLE HORRORS: Home Sweet Home (1981)

And now for a new type of review. I have fun watching horrible horror movies. So I'm going to start giving these so-bad-it's-good movies their own little thing called "THE VAULT OF HORRIBLE HORRORS" where I will take a look at just HOW bad they are. Starting with...

HOME SWEET HOME (1981)

THE PREMISE:

A psychopath from the local insane asylum escapes, murders a motorist, and randomly makes his way to a family's home on the eve of Thanksgiving. There, he proceeds to cackle like a maniac, and murder a family played by people who basically with the exception of the little girl and father never acted again. (And there was a good reason for that to be honest)

HOW BAD IS IT?: Among bad slasher movies, this is king. If you want any more proof, all you need to know is that the killer spends 90% of the movie just cackling evily, there's literally a character named "MISTAKE" (No, I kid you not), but for some reason I just couldn't turn my eyes away.

NOTABLE FOR: Somehow managing to star a young VINESSA SHAW as the little girl in the movie. Yes, I'm talking about the girlfriend from Hocus Pocus. And also randomly stars the uncle of HAILEE STEINFELD (Yes, from True Grit) as the aforementioned cackling killer.

FUN LEVEL:  VERY HIGH

RECOMMENDED VIEWING METHOD: Get a couple of friends in a chat room, and Youtube it. You'll all have a riot.

MINI-REVIEW:

So a friend of mine and I make a point of watching bad horror movies just for the kicks. And the other night, we put this little gem on. Not only is it hilariously bad, but it also manages to bring some of the best unintentional comedy I have seen in a long time. Namely: "Mistake", I could tell you what Mistake is like, but that would ruin his amazingly hilarious entrance that left me laughing for at least a good five minutes.

Throughout this movie I wondered what it would be like if Hailee Steinfeld ever decided to look up her uncle's work. I can only imagine the look of horror on her face as she saw this opening scene and saw her uncle acting like this:

I found it especially funny that the ending is about fifteen minutes long, and in those fifteen minutes hardly ANYTHING happens. It is literally about ten minutes of them just sitting around to wait out the killer and talking to each other. Cumulating in maybe five minutes of action. During this time, I actually missed Hailee Steinfeld's crazy uncle and his amazingly generic, bad guy laugh.

And so I give this movie a five out of five on the scale of bad movies. If only because just LOL what the hell was anyone thinking greenlighting this film? I mean it was SO BAD that almost none of the cast ever acted again. That is really saying something, even some of the worst movies had more than two stars that did at least one other film in their careers.

DRINKING GAME RECOMMENDATION: Take a shot every time the killer cackles maniacally.

REVIEW: The Longest Ride

THE LONGEST RIDE

RELEASED: Out Now

RATED: PG-13

RATING: ****/*****

PREMISE: (via IMDB) Based on the bestselling novel by master storyteller Nicholas Sparks, THE LONGEST RIDE centers on the star-crossed love affair between Luke, a former champion bull rider looking to make a comeback, and Sophia, a college student who is about to embark upon her dream job in New York City's art world. As conflicting paths and ideals test their relationship, Sophia and Luke make an unexpected and fateful connection with Ira, whose memories of his own decades-long romance with his beloved wife deeply inspire the young couple. Spanning generations and two intertwining love stories, THE LONGEST RIDE explores the challenges and infinite rewards of enduring love.

 

THE PRO'S: A beautiful love story from both decades it's set in. Excellent acting. An engaging, and interesting story. Probably the strongest Sparks story I've seen yet. 

THE CON'S: Some minor cliches that it could have done without.

THE REVIEW: 

I have to be honest, I have never read one of Sparks books. But I have found all three movies I've seen by him (The Lucky One, Safe Haven, and this) enjoyable. So I am not entirely surprised to say that I really find The Longest Ride to be a great, if not somewhat-sad story.

The film tells two different stories. That of professional bull rider, Luke, who is in the midst of a comeback, and Sophia, a college student preparing to go to New York as they find love in each other. And that of Ira, a Jewish man before and after WWII who meets and falls in love with Ruth, the new girl in town, and an art lover. Both stories intersect when Sophia and Luke save an aging Ira from a car crash, and a bond between Sophia and Ira forms.

What I find most interesting about this movie is how seamlessly it intertwines the stories. Neither of them is rushed, rather, it takes its time to tell each one to its fullest. I personally found the story of Ira and Ruth the most engaging, as it was very interesting and the twists were great. But that is not to downplay Sophia and Luke's story, which, while not as touching, was very engaging and kept my interest constantly.

This is very much helped by the cast of the movie. Both Brittany Robertson and Scott Eastwood are extremely promising young actors that sold me on the story from the get-go. I never once felt with either of them that I was watching film characters, they really pulled me in. The same goes for Alan Alda, who plays older Ira, and his younger self, played by Jack Huston. And the love of his life, Ruth, who is played by Oona Chaplin. All four carry the movie so perfectly and sell their loves so well that you can't help but be invested. 

To that end, I feel like the characters were another strong point of the film. Not just because of the actors, but because of how human they all feel. Each has their strengths and weaknesses, and not once does the movie desert those to further it's story. It does a fantastic job of keeping the characters human, something I think each of his movies has actually managed to do very well.

The only complaint I have with the film is a few of the cliches it held. I can't say them without spoilers, but I will say for those who've seen it that I in no way mean the (AWESOME) ending. But sprinkled throughout were some cliches that I overall thought the movie could have done without. So therefore, this is my (albeit minor) complaint.

So...

 

IN CONCLUSION:
 

It's not the deepest love story out there, or most original. But The Longest Ride is an engaging, heartwarming, and well-written love story that managed to warm my heart. I definitely recommend it to everyone, Sparks fan or not.

 

4 OUT OF 5 STARS

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 

 

 

HULU REVIEW: The Forger

THE FORGER

RELEASED: OUT NOW (On Hulu)

RATED: PG-13

RATING: *****/*****

PREMISE: (Via IMDB) Joshua, a teenager with a drugged-out mother on the run, wanders into the affluent community of Carmel, California. After getting himself into trouble, the authorities try to track down his mother. But in the meantime, a successful artist/businessman offers to take in Joshua and let him have a chance at a good life. His motives are questionable considering his line of business and how he plans to use Joshua's artistic talents, but Joshua has met a girl and he's not sure if the money is worth selling off his morals.

THE PRO'S: Extremely well written and acted. Some extremely well done messages placed throughout. Interesting and engaging storyline.

THE CON'S: None really.

THE REVIEW:

The Forger was another one that has been on my radar for quite some time. Not only because of it's awesome cast (Josh Hutcherson, Hayden Panatierre, AND Alfred Molaina, just wow!) but because the premise was so interesting. And thankfully, the three-year wait to watch this was well worth it.

The movie tells the story of Josh, a runaway who has been abandoned by his mother, a drug addict. Stopping into a small down, he breaks into the home of an art forger, and finishes a forged painting. Amazed at his talent, the man takes Josh under his wing, and leads him into his "world". A world which Josh comes to learn is even more dangerous than the one he left behind.

It's a fairly simple premise, but it plays out wonderfully. The story is told in a far-from-generic way, and each character seems to take on a life of their own. It's not always the most original story, but it does do a good job of keeping it engaging, and fascinating. The best part of the story being how seriously it seems to take the story it's telling.

As I said before, the acting here is also stellar. Josh Hutcherson, as usual, delivers an excellent performance for a young actor, as does Hayden Panettiere, who just continues to wow. While film veterans Alfred Molaina and the late Lauren Bacall also lead the charge from the adult side of things, and do it wonderfully. Though his role is small, a young Scott Eastwood also plays a role here and is memorable as Panettiere's brother.

What's more, it's actually a beautiful movie to look at. The scenery of the coastal town tends to be breathtaking, and all of the art in the movie is elegant as well. While only the latter is the focal point of the story, the former does provide good scenery eye candy and add something in and of itself. So I'd definitely count that among the pluses.

But what I love most about this movie is it's message. Both about love and honesty. Both are handled in a wonderfully realistic way, and treated with great care. Which is another thing this movie gets very right: the realism. I felt like any one of these characters are people I could walk up to on the street. With major props to the writer for the sheer realism both in their actions and their dialogue. 

So...

IN CONCLUSION:
 

The Forger is a wonderfully shot, written, and acted movie. It's definitely worth a look if you're looking for a fun, engaging drama and hopefully you'll enjoy it just as much. The performances, and story alone are worth it.

5 OUT OF 5 STARS

MY HIGHEST RECOMMENDATIONS

ON-DEMAND REVIEW: The Harvest

THE HARVEST

RELEASED: OUT NOW (On-Demand)

RATED: N/A (I'd put it at R though)

RATING: ****/*****

PREMISE: (Via IMDB) A couple who keeps their sick son in a secluded environment find their controlled lives challenged by a young girl who moves in next door. 

 

THE PRO'S: Engaging and disturbing mystery. Keeps you on your toes. Mostly good acting.  A terrifying villain. Good character development.

THE CON'S: By contrast, the movie at times has laughable acting. Disturbing content makes this not for the faint of heart.

THE REVIEW:

I've had my eyes on "The Harvest" for a while now, due to it's intriguing and mysterious premise. I will say I was not disappointed, but this unsettling movie is one of the hardest I've sat through. If not one of the best on-demand thrillers out there.

The film tells the story of Maryann who moves in with her grandparents after the sudden death of her family. There, she makes friends with Andy, a neighbor who is very sick, and in the care of his overbearing and shady mother Katherine. And somewhat mild-mannered, skittish father, Michael. But as Katherine's behavior becomes more unstable and disturbing, Maryann begins to wonder if there's more to Andy and his family than meets the eye. 

The movie, as one can imagine, is a very intense thriller. With some great suspense, and a fantastic build-up. To say the least, with every passing moment, you're left wondering what the dark secret this family is hiding may be. And though it's  not clear until the very end, it's an extremely well-done, and executed pay-off. If not a bit disturbing.

One of the things that both does and doesn't work well is the acting. Both child actors: Natasha Callis and Charlie Tahan are on-point and fantastic, as is the mother, who is played by Samantha Morton. Each brings a lot of life, and realism to their performance. And the Grandfather, who is played by the great Peter Fonda. In fact in Morton's case, she truly made me terrified of her. But there is a lot of weaker acting on the part of the Grandmother and Father. Who both play large roles in the movie, but  whose acting ranges from dull to rather over the top from scene-to-scene and somewhat takes away from the better acting of the other actors. 

But that's okay, because overall, it doesn't take The Harvest down at all. The story presented in this movie is not only compelling, but scary as well. I genuinely was gripping the edge of my seat every once in a while. And more than once found myself begging for answers. The more twisted the movie becomes, the better it becomes. And in general, it's an attention-grabber.

That said, this is NOT a film for everyone. The Harvest goes down some very dark roads, and if you're not a fan of overly dark movies, it's best to stay away. A lot of the content involves kids (though it's never anything graphic), and though it's handled well, anyone unnerved by them in danger should definitely stay away. 

 

But if you can get through it, The Harvest is an excellent suburban thriller. And overall, well worth the watch.

So...

 

IN CONCLUSION:

The Harvest is an exceptionally well-made, dark thriller. Though it may not be for everyone, and some of the acting is sub-par, it still is a satisfyingly interesting movie. And one I'd highly recommend to those who can handle it.

 

4 OUT OF 5 STARS

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED