Movie Review: Elysium

Brief Summary - In the not to distant future the majority of Earth's indigent population is exiled on its  polluted surface. Hovering nearby in orbit is Elysium, a plush retreat in space for the filthy rich until a series of uncanny events leads Matt Damon (Max Da Costa) to disrupt the hierarchical system.

Rating - On a scale of 1 to 10 Elysium is easily worthy of an 7.5

Movie Strengths - Explosive scenes that would make Michael Bay proud, robot hunts, car chase/crashes, failed abductions, sniper missions and much much more ...Sharlto Copley (Kruger) is a memorable villain almost as sinister as Heath Ledger (Joker).

Movie Weaknesses - Certain scenes were too lengthy and at times the vibe is too serious and emotional.

Final Thoughts - Overall this film has a solid plot, strong sci-fi themed motifs, gun/bomb and knife action...your inner action junkie won't be disappointed!

Movie Review: Wolverine

Brief Summary - What does an ex-soldier turned Mutant without a purpose do? Revisit people from the past? Have frequent (borderline) wet dreams about his ex? Roam around in search of someone needing to be rescued? Pick fights with everybody in hopes of an honorable death? The correct answer is YES to all of the above.

Rating - On a scale of 1 to 10 Wolverine is worthy of a 6.5

Movie Strengths -  Hugh Jackman does not disappoint, he snarls, slashes and bashes villains, ninjas and gangsters mercilessly.To all the comic and cartoon fans surprisingly the plot does not stray far from the source material.

Movie Weaknesses - The chemistry between the female lead characters and Wolverine is creepy and downright uncomfortable to watch.

Final Thoughts -  Thankfully this film is a major improvement of its sloppy predecessor.

Movie Review: Pacific Rim

Brief Summary - A ‘magic’ portal deep beneath the sea floor serves as a passage way for monstrous beings (Kaiju) to attack all ye helpless Earthlings. Naturally, humanity turns to Asia to churn out massive robots (Jaegers) piloted by humans to brawl - cave man style- with said monsters.

Rating - On a scale of 1 to 10 Pacific Rim earns a 6.

Movie Strengths - Larger-than-life machines vs. monster fight scenes...who needs high tech weaponry when you can haul a ship out of the sea and bludgeon a monster's head with it...EPIC!

Movie Weaknesses - The supporting cast members left much to be desired.

Final Thoughts - Calling all nostalgic Anime and Transformer fans ! The good news - this movie will provide some relief...however that relief is fleeting, so unleash your inner kid, ignore your "mature brain" and enjoy the destruction.

Movie Review: World War Z

Brief Summary - "Vitamin Z"[as I prefer to call it] is infecting the populace faster than the speed of light, but have no fear humanity's salvation is dependent upon ...drum-role...Brad Pitt aka Gerry Lane who happens to be the United Nations equivalent of a superhero (sporting his perfectly parted, styled blonde locks minus the spandex costume).

Rating - On a scale of 1 to 10 WWZ earns a solid 7

Movie Strengths - Action, suspense, gore, solid performances from Zombie slashers & a plane crash worthy of a cameo in Denzel Washington's movie Flight.

Movie Weaknesses - Book fans BEWARE the only thing this movie has in common with its' source material is a shared title!

Final Thoughts - Even if you are not a fan of the Zombie pandemic genre this film still has something to offer any action-thrill seekers.

Movie Review: Man of Steel

Brief Summary - Man of Steel retraces the origins of Kal-El/ Clarke Kent from his birth on Krypton to his tumultuous adolescent years and outcast-type existence as an adult. Audiences journey with him as he grows into his heroic ‘Superman’ persona and realizes why he was sent to Earth.

Rating - On a scale of 1 to 10 Man of Steels earns a 8.5

Movie Strengths – Casting (a round of applause for Russell Crowe, Henry Cavill and his severe butt chin), awe-inspiring visuals, exciting fight scenes and eye candy for the ladies... I think I may buy my bf a few unitards for Christmas lol!

Movie Weaknesses – This film has a serious theme and a heavy premise, it is not the typical feel good movie and after 2 hrs and 28 mins of doom and gloom some people may walk away wishing for more of a silver lining.

Final Thoughts – Man of Steel is dark, edgy, gritty, intense-bordering on brutal ...it paints a picture of Superman’s real-life struggle for modern audiences. The movie is long and it can at times feel as if the Director (Zack Snyder Mr. 300) tried to accomplish too much in too little time. However the movie is stimulating, the creative plot twists are exhilarating, overall this film is ambitions and realistic.

Movie Review: Star Trek Into Darkness

Brief Summary – Young Captain Kirk and the Enterprise crew members are summoned to subdue an alien terrorist who has a personal vendetta and is determined  to sabotage the Star Fleet Federation.

Rating - On a scale of 1 to 10 Kirk and his gang earn a 7.5

Movie Strengths – Standing ovation for Mr. Spock & Khan...OMG Khan’s voice...I have not heard something so rich, deep, scary and sexy at the same time coming from someone that looks the like Benedict Cumberbatch WTH ! 

Movie Weaknesses – This films pacing and fluidity are a bit too slow at times.

Final Thoughts – This movie is a universal nerd pleaser; old trekkies and new fans will find this installation enjoyable. Non-trekkies can benefit from the captivating graphics, gun action and major hand to hand combat, solid plot and stellar performances from talented actors/actresses. 

Movie Review: The Great Gatsby

Brief Summary - Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's Classic American novel, audiences follow mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and his next door neighbor (Toby McGuire) as he discovers who Gatsby really is and how he become so rich so quickly.

Rating - On a scale of 1 to 10 Gatz and company earn a 5.5

Movie Strengths – The Imagery in this film is a true treat for those among us that are visually stimulated.  The 1920's never looked so chic! 

Movie Weaknesses –  Leonardo Di Caprio lacks the emotional depth required to effectively portray such a complicated character, his version of Gatsby is bombastic at best.

Final Thoughts – Fans of the book can expect to be disappointed, classic themes such as  profound hope, the downside of the american dream, class struggle & entitlement are not given enough attention. Instead they take a backseat  due to the Director's (Baz Hurhmann) distracting fixation with razzle dazzle, glitz and jazz.

Movie Review: Oblivion

Brief Summary - For the greater part of 2 hrs Jack Harper (Tom Cruise)  enjoys his monotonous, plush life as a glorified ‘space mechanic’ stationed on Earth (in the future) after a War which forces the majority of humans to live in space. Of course he thinks that he and his lone female companion are alone on their mission to harvest Earth’s resources until...dun dun dun

Rating - On a scale of 1 to 10 Oblivion is worthy of a 5

Movie Strengths – Visuals, visuals, visuals...Joseph Kosinski the director of TRON: Legacy lends his skills and directs this spectacle of a movie

Movie Weaknesses – Talk about predictable script writing, a one ply sheet of toilet paper has more depth than this story line (seriously)

Final Thoughts – If you are a hardcore Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/ Fantasy film fan this film has the main ingredients to scratch your itch, if you can tolerate Tom Cruise for 2 + hrs and a thinly written script.

Movie Review: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Brief Summary - A young Hobbit named Bilbo Baggins is accosted and eventually coerced by a Wizard, Gandalf the Grey, and a gang of dwarfs to join them on a mission to reclaim the lost Kingdom of Erebor, which is occupied by Smaug the Dragon.

Rating - On a scale of 1 to 10 the Hobbits and company earn a 4.5 !

Movie Strengths - Cheers to hoping that like its predecessor this trilogy will improve as part 2 and 3 are churned out.

Movie Weaknesses - NO eye candy ( for guys or girls) and action suited for kids aged 10 and under.

Final Thoughts - For normal (non nerdy) adults this movie is a snoozer ! You may fall asleep multiple times as a result of the snail paced action deficient plot and pg rated humor.

Must See Movies - Top 10 Watch Worthy Movies of 2013

In No Particular Order:

1. Star Trek Into Darkness

     

Movie Trailer link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diP-o_JxysA

2.  Iron Man 3

     

Movie Trailer link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mKwAYaAZNg

3. Man of Steel                             

    

Movie Trailer link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVu3gS7iJu4

4.  World War Z                 

     

Movie Trailer link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5Y_nOkFvbY

5. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire                                         

    

Movie Trailer link -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Rvu7Xs_ai8

6. Thor The Dark World

Movie Trailer link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePIcZGmBDXw

7. Kick Ass 2 
     

Movie trailer link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucGQFYqnEzg

8. Fast and Furious 6                          

    

Movie Trailer link – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKi5XoeTN0k

9. The Wolverine                               

    

Movie Trailer link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rh1LdTFkm7I

10. Pacific Rim                

     

Movie Trailer link – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1HjooayL4o