Need for Speed feels
like Smokey and the Bandit updated
with some class and deeply re-coated in Jeremy Clarkson’s previous Top Gear United Kingdom television
series. If you love getting
acquainted with upper class automobiles, get ready for a real treat. You’re
going to see the Koenigsegg Agera R (three of them), Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren,
Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, GTA Spano, McLaren P1, Saleen S7, Bugatti Veyron,
and a Ford Shelby Mustang along with some terrific racing scenes a la Hollywood
style. The film even comes with a moral: Bad guys get caught; good guys are
good guys and will win in the long run. Terrific scenes featuring the best
views of some of the world’s top performance automobiles, make this film soar. The film has a PG-13
rating and serves up a surprisingly and refreshingly clean script...perhaps
because everything moves so fast there’s no time for anything else.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline A neighborhood garage serves as a place where young car geeks modify old muscle cars for street racing. Tobey Marshall (Aaron Paul), the owner of the garage, receives an invite to race one of three Koenigsegg Agera Rs with his friend Little Pete (Harrison Gilbertson) and a competitor, Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper). Foul play by Dino Brewster kills Little Pete, but Tobey Marshall gets the rap and serves prison time. The rest of the story becomes a race to get even.
Additional Thanks
Great
work for Director Scott Waugh. Thank you to Executive Producers Stuart M.
Besser, Frank Gibeau, Max Leitman, Tim Moore, Patrick Soderlund, and Scott
Waugh for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Julia
Maddon (Imogen Poots), Benny (Scott Mescudi), Finn (Rami Malek), Joe Peck (Ramon
Rodriguez), Anita (Dakota Johnson), Bill Ingram (Stevie Ray Dallimore), and Monarch
(Michael Keaton).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This is a best of the best entertainment for high-end automobile buffs.
My Dog Skip—classic, low budget film—shows the early talents
of Frankie Muniz as well as the established talents of Kevin Bacon, Luke Wilson
and Diane Lane. Despite its presentation, the story is heartfelt, enchanting,
and well played by all actors. This becomes a good family watch.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline In World War II Mississippi, a wise mother, Ellen Morris (Diane Lane), acts against advice and presents her nine-year-old son, Willie Morris (Frankie Muniz), with a brand new puppy to offset the loss of an older friend, Dink Jenkins (Luke Wilson) who goes to war. Willie Morris discovers four legs can be better than two when it comes to establishing long-term friendships.
Additional Thanks
Really Good Work for Director Jay Russell. Thank
you to Executive Producers Marty P. Ewing and Jay Russell for making the film
possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jack Morris (Kevin Bacon), Big
Boy Wilkinson (Bradley Coryell), Henjie Henick (Daylan Honeycutt), Spit McGee
(Cody Linley), Rivers Applewhite (Caitlin Wachs), Junior Smalls (Peter
Crombie), and Millard (Clint Howard).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. Families may find it charming and very watchable.
Grudge Match groans under the repetitious dialogue of ‘I don’t wanna do it.’ The movie edges itself out of family entertainment with nagging sexual dialogue and scenes.
Storyline
Two
seasoned citizens, both former professional boxers, Henry “Razor” Sharp (Sylvester
Stallone) and Billy “The Kid” McDonnen (Robert DeNiro), take on a boxing match.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Additional Thanks
Good Work for Director and Producer Peter Segal.
Thank you to Executive Producers Jane Rosenthal and Kevin King Templeton for
making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jim Lampley
(Himself), Boxing Announcer (Rich Little) Young Sally (Ireland Baldwin), Dante
Slate Sr. (Anthony Bean), and Young Dante (Mason Mackie).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe. The movie fails to provide quality entertainment.
The Muppets: Most Wanted—usual,
nothing new —presents some intrigue and comedy; but audiences may find themselves desiring a different movie while watching this one. Muppets' protocol to
pound home an obvious moral is rigorously followed: friends are forever and should not be forgotten.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline An evil mastermind, who looks just like
Kermit the Frog, breaks prison and takes over the Muppets with the help of Dominic
Badguy (Ricky Gervais).
Additional Thanks Thank you to Director James Bobin for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers John G.
Scotti and Nicholas Stoller for making the film possible. Additional cast/characters
include: Jean Pierre Napoleon (Ty Burrell), Nadya (Tina Fey), Foo Foo, Statler,
Beaker, Lips, Rizzo the Rat, Link Hogthrob, and the Newsman (voice of Steve
Whitmire), and Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Sam Eagle, and Animal (voice of Eric
Jacobson).
Dirty Harry performs like Clint Eastwood's Italian westerns...hard-hitting and fast moving. Set within the modern police detective setting, it performs well for Clint Eastwood fans.
Storyline
Dirty Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) decides to eliminate a mentally deranged assassin, Scorpio (Andrew Robinson).
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Additional Thanks
Great
work for Director and Producer Don Siegel. Thank you to Executive Producers
Robert Daley and Clint Eastwood for making the film possible. Additional
cast/characters include: De Giorgio (John Mitchum), Mrs. Russell (Mae Mercer),
Norma (Lyn Edgington), and Bus Driver (Ruth Kobart).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This movie, first in the Dirty Harry series, has terrific screen presence. Video Critique Available Here:
Big Hero 6 becomes
another defining point in Disney’s computer animation department and stands as a mini-masterpiece of animation and storytelling. The story radiates one good set of values after
another based on forgiveness and justice, love for family, and the importance
of education in finding one’s way in life.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline Fourteen-year-old
Hiro Hamada (voice of Ryan Potter) lives in San Fransokyo. Hiro builds robots
for illegal robot wrestling games. One of his robots takes the city’s best robot down,
completely dismembering it. But, his older brother, Tadoshi Hamada (voice of
Daniel Henney), has a better plan for Hiro’s future and takes Hiro to his
college laboratory to show Hiro a healthcare robot he has created. Hiro receives
an invitation to attend college by legendary robot inventor Robert Callaghan, (voice
of James Cromwell). Hiro is enthusiastic about the offer and wants to attend. All
he has to do, to attend college, is make a robot for the upcoming robot convention
that significantly shows his ability in robotics. Hiro invents Microbots and ‘wows’
the judges; but after the successful presentation of Microbots, the convention
hall catches fire. Hiro’s brother attempts to save Professor Robert Callaghan, but
tragically loses his life in the fire. Later Hiro sits in his room wondering
what to do next when Baymax (voice of Scott Adsit), his brother’s healthcare
robot, comes to life to assist Hiro after he has stubbed his toe. One of Hiro’s
Microbots begins movement and Hiro thinks it is broken. But Baymax takes the
Petri dish that Microbot is in and follows it with Hiro in hot pursuit. The journey
stops at an old abandoned warehouse. They find that Hiro’s Microbots,
supposedly lost in the convention hall fire, are being mass produced in the
warehouse. The Microbots rise up and try to take out Hiro and BayMax. They both
flee for their lives and the story is on.
Additional Thanks This
is best work for Directors Don Hall and Chris Williams. Thank you to Executive
Producer John Lasseter (who is also Vice President of Pixar Studios) for making
the film possible. The rest of the cast/characters include: Fred (voice of T.
J. Miller), Go Go (voice of Jamie Chung), Wasabi (voice of Damon Wayans, Jr.),
Honey Lemon (voice of Genesis Rodriguez), and Alistair Krei (voice of Alan
Tudyk).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This film teaches good values without preaching. It's a very good choice for the child/adult share and provides excellent opportunities for family discussion after viewing. Video Critique Available Here:
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire—surprisingly
intriguing, a real improvement from its prequel—provides enhanced believable-ness with drama and action well placed and well portrayed.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is the established victor of the games, but still visits and hunts with her old friend, Gale (Liam Hemsworth). Katniss’ mother (Paula Malcomson) continues to be nervously upset even though she has a better place to live and enough food. Katniss’ younger sister, Primrose Everdeen (Willow Shield), starts to take the lead in caring for their mother as Katniss attends all the political events while reluctantly acting as if everything is okay to the Districts although desperately desiring to revolt against the system. President Snow (Donald Sutherland) sees Katniss as a red-hot ember in the middle of dry tinder for a political revolt and at the 75th Hunger Game changes the rules. Former Hunger Game victors from each district are to fight in the next game which pits Katniss against professional players where odds will not be as favorable for her.
Additional Thanks
Great
work for Director Francis Lawrence. Thank you to Executive Producer and Writer
of The Hunger Games Trilogy novels Suzanne Collins and Executive Producers
Joseph Drake, Allison Shearmur, and Louise Rosner for making the film possible.
The rest of the cast/characters include: Marvel (Jack Qauid), Ripper (Taylor
St. Clair), Greasy Sae (Sandra Ellis Lafferty), Haymitch Abernathy (Woody
Harrelson), Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks), Octavia (Bruce Bundy), Flavius
(Nelson Ascencio), Cinna (Lenny Kravitz), and Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This film performs at a higher level than its prequel. Video Critique Available Here:
Life of Pi—a
work of art—classifies itself as one of the best films of 2014. It’s fresh,
real, and, not only entertains, but creates a little mental activity, too. It has a ‘moral of the story’ feel that is not
over the top: namely, life is a little sweet and little sour, but over the long
run, life is great.
Movie Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline
The tale revolves around Pi Patel and his life from 5 years old (acted by Gautam Belur), to 11-12 years old (acted by Ayush Tandon), to a teenager (acted by Suraj Sharma), to an adult (acted by Irrfan Khan). Pi, an Indian boy of adventure and a risk-taking examiner of all things, finds himself in a state of change when his father Santosh Patel (Adil Hussain) decides to sell the family zoo in India and move his family to America for a fresh start. The family boards a ship with some of the zoo animals they plan to sell in America. On the way to America, their ship is hit by a huge wave. The ship sinks and the only survivors are the boy Pi and four of the zoo animals—a zebra, an orangutan, a hyena, and a tiger—on a lifeboat. An interesting lesson follows as Pi endeavors to survive in a world reduced to the eaters and those to be eaten.
Additional Thanks
The
film, based on a novel by Yann Martel, turns into a best work effort for Director
and Producer Ang Lee. Thank you to Executive Producer Dean Georgaris for making
the film possible. Additional characters are: Gita Patel (Tabu), Ravi Patel at
7 years old (Ayaan Khan), Ravi Patel at 13-14 years old (Abbas Khaleeli Mohd),
Ravi Patel at 18-19 years old (Vibish Sivakumar), and Cook (Gérard Depardieu).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. Good intellectual watch. Video Critique Available Here:
Tales from
Earthsea—another terrific offering by Japan’s
Studio Ghibli—showcases the talents
of Hayao Mirazaki’s son, Director Gorô Miyazaki. While this animated feature is
Gorô Miyazaki’s directorial debut, he does not let us down in any part of the
film. The story resolves questions of bad
conscience and changing course of action through good deeds. A magical tale,
the story keeps interest from the beginning to its end.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline Arren (voice of Matt Levin) kills his Father the King of Enlad and steals his father’s magical sword. Later a wizard wards predator wolves away from Arren. In gratitude, the boy, Arren, begs to follow the wizard and asks his name. The wizard says he is Sparrowhawk (voice of Timothy Dalton) and, for awhile they travel together. Arren saves a girl named Therru (voice of Blaire Restaneo) from slave traders and then gets caught himself by the traders. Sparrowhawk once again saves the day and takes Arren to Tenar’s (voice of Mariska Hargitay) house to recoup.
Additional Thanks
Thank you to Producers Steve Alpert, Toshio Suzuki,
and Javier Ponton for making the film possible. Thank you to Music Composer
Tamiya Terashima for the score. Additional characters/cast include: Cob (voice
of Willem Dafoe), Ged (voice of Timothy Dalton), and Hare (voice of Cheech
Marin).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. Unusually entertaining tale that serves entertainment needs well. Video Critique Available Here:
Air Bud—a clean-cut, Disney feature for the whole family—showcases the talents of a real-life
dog who can shoot hoops. It fits the bill
for a good child/adult share film.
Film Poster courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline Old Blue, a
dog owned by an abusive clown named Norm Snively (Michael Jeter), gets a new
home and finds a better place in the world.
Additional Thanks
It’s a Best Work effort for Director Charles
Martin Smith. Thank you to Executive Producers Michael Strange, Anne Vince, Bob
Weinstein, and Harvey Weinstein for making the film possible. The characters/cast
include: Josh Framm (Kevin Zegers), Andrea Framm ( Jessebel or Kati Mather), Jackie
Framm (Wendy Makkena), Arthur Chaney (Bill Cobbs), Judge Cranfield (Eric
Christmas), Referee 1 (Jay Brazeau), Principal Pepper (Nicola Cavendish), Larry
Willingham (Brendan Fletcher), Buck Willingham (Norman Browning), Coach Barker
(Stephen E. Miller), and Tom (Shayn Solberg).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. It deserves a place in the family home entertainment library. Video Critique Available Here:
The Lego Movie, surprising fun, performs as a good choice for family entertainment. It combines
animation with some live action to address the issues of showing
respect to others and working as a team to accomplish great tasks. It emphasizes the great rewards that can be obtained by never underestimating the abilities of the individual.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
An ordinary man finds himself in a position to do extraordinary things.
Additional Thanks
This
is a Best Work effort for Director Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Thank you
to Executive Producers Matt Skiena, Allison Abbate, Michael E. Uslan, Jill
Wilfert, Seanne Winslow, James Packer, Matthew Ashton, Bruce Berman, Jon
Burton, Steve Mouchin, Kathleen Fleming, Benjamin Melniker, and Zareh Nalbandian for making the film possible. Character/cast include: Batman/Bruce Wayne
(voice of Will Arnett), Wyldstyle/Lucy (voice of Elizabeth Banks),
Blake/Additional Voices (voice of Craig Berry), Unikitty (voice of Alison
Brie), Octan Robot/Additional Voices (voice of David Burrows), C-3PO (voice of
Anthony Daniels), Benny (voice of Charlie Day), Mom (Amanda Farinos), Han Solo
(voice of Keith Ferguson), and President Business Man/The Man Upstairs (voice
of and acted by Will Ferrell).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This terrific entertainment piece performs effectively for the whole family. Video Critique Available Here:
Harry Potter and the Prisoner
of Azkaban—the third installment of Harry
Potter—seems more mature and difficult to follow. The moral thatgood prevails over evil remains. The film introduces new personalities, dementors, to create interest.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Harry learns Sirius Black has escaped prison. Dementors guard
Hogwarts until the recapture of Sirius Black.
Additional Thanks
Great
work for Director Alfonso Cuarón. Thank you to Executive Producers Michael
Barnathan, Callum McDougall, and Tanya Seghatchian for making the film
possible. Cast/characters include: Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), Vernon
Dursley (Richard Griffiths), Aunt Marge (Pam Ferris), Aunt Petunia (Fiona Shaw),
Dudley Dursley (Harry Melling), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), and Hermoine
Granger (Emma Watson), Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) Severus Snape (Alan Rickman), Professor Minerva McGonagall (Maggie Smith), Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane)
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This movie runs on a more complicated and mature storyline than the last two films. Video Critique Available Here:
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit bases itself on author Tom Clancy’s book character, Jack Ryan. Unfortunately, the movie fails to enthrall. Part of this dilemma may be the casting and a rather
weak portrayal of a romantic relationship between two of the film's characters. The
strongest character in the movie, who also directs the movie, Kenneth Branagh, (playing the Russian, Victor Cherevin) comes onto the story scene a little late to save the film from mediocrity.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline A United States Marine CIA recruit works in Wall Street to discover suspect financial transactions and uncovers a Russian plot to bring the United States economy down through staged financial maneuvering.
Additional Thanks
Thank you to Executive Producers David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Tommy Harper, and Paul
Schwake for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jack Ryan (Chris Pine), Cathy
Muller (Keira Knightley), Thomas Harper (Kevin Costner), Constantin (Lenn
Kudrjawizki), Alexandr Borovsky (Alec Utgoff), and Dimitri Lemkov (Peter
Andersson).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. Chris Pine interprets the Jack Ryan personality freshly and innovatively, but misses the mark to capture and keep interest for the movie audience. Video Critique Available Here:
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone—a
classic, laugh-out-loud, riot of a movie—combines
Jim Carrey craziness with Steve Carell’s laid-back comedic style and Steve
Buscemi’s unique magic into one whole that absolutely works on every possible
entertainment level. It’s all about friendship, becoming more than anyone could
ever predict, and rebuilding careers when everything possible, goes wrong. The
film begins at—the beginning—with a very young Burt Wonderstone.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline A young Burt Wonderstone (Mason Cook) comes home from school and finds his single, working Mother has left him a note saying that she is sorry that she cannot make it to his birthday party because she has to ‘work over,’ but she did get him a cake mix and to feel free to make himself a birthday cake. Her single gift is a Rance Holloway (Alan Arkin) Magician Kit and with that single gift Burt Wonderstone’s career is launched. Additional Thanks Best
Work for Director Don Scardino. Thank you to Executive Producers Richard Brener,
Sam Brown, Vance DeGeneres, Walter Hamada, Charlie Hartsock, Dave Neustadter, Diana
Pokorny, and J.C. Spink for making the film possible. Additional character/cast
include: Young Anton Marvelton (Luke Vanek), Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell),
Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi), Jane (Olivia Wilde), Steve Gray (Jim Carrey),
Doug Munny (James Gandolfini), Rick the Implausible (Jay Mohr), and Lucius
Belvedere (Michael Herbig).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. This 'easy-to-be-missed' film turns into a classic from its get-go. Do not miss it. Video Critique Available Here:
Ernest & Celestine
easily becomes one of the cutest, sweetest, and most innocent animated films of
2014. It’s a staple story that relies on an unlikely friendship that develops between
a mouse and a bear and then blossoms into a permanent and lasting lifelong love. A refreshing combatant to ideas that such friendships are unsustainable,
the storyline is well voiced by Forest Whitaker as Ernest, the bear, and Mackenzie
Foy as Celestine, the mouse. The story’s kindly morality makes it a perfect fit
for the adult and child seeking ‘together’ entertainment with pleasant
surprises and a comfortable below-the-limit action plan that is ‘not too hot
and not too cold.’
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
A mouse, Celestine, independently decides, against popular
assumptions, to believe that bears, even hungry bears, do not necessarily eat mice. She verifies her unproven theory after meeting Ernest, a poor, hungry, panhandling bear. Resourceful Celestine develops a plan for Ernest to get food; but, the police catch Ernest and the show begins.
Additional Thanks
Great
work for Directors Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar, and Benjamin Renner. Thank
you to Producers Eric Beckman, David Jesteadt, and Michael Sinterniklaas for making the film possible. Thank
you to Music Composer Vincent Courtois. Thank you to Daniel Pennac for an
outstandingly good screenplay and to Gabrielle Vincent for her excellent children’s
book series. Additional cast/characters include: The Grey One (voice of Lauren
Bacall), Le Grise (voice of Anne-Marie Loop), Rat Judge (voice of Paul
Giamatti), Head Dentist (William H. Macy), Lucienne (voice of Megan Mullally), and
George (voice of Nick Offerman).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. The simple animation catches the eye. The story makes a sweet child/adult share.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of
Secrets—another J. K. Rowling classic novel-based film—pits Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe),
Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) against new Hogwarts' supernatural entities. This sequel beautifully unfolds to reveal the next stage of the heroes' and heroine's adventures.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Harry Potter and his friends discover new supernatural terrors,
Additional Thanks
Best
work for Director Chris Columbus. Thank you to Executive Producers Michael
Barnathan, David Barron, Chris Columbus, and Mark Radcliffe for making the film
possible. Terrific work by music composer John Williams. Additional character/cast
include: Uncle Vernon (Richard Griffiths), Albus Dumbledore (Richard Harris), Dobby (Voice of Toby Jones), Fred Weasley (James Phelps), George Weasley (Oliver Phelps), Mrs. Weasley (Julie Walters), Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright), Mr. Weasley (Mark Williams), Percy Weasley (Chris Rankin), Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton), Hagrid the Giant (Robbie Coltrane), Professor Snape (Alan Rickman), Professor McGonagall (Maggie Smith), Mr. Mason (Jim Norton), Mrs. Mason (Veronica Clifford),
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. It sustains the entertainment value of the first film by introducing intriguing, new characters (such as House Elf Dobby (Toby Jones) and Tom Riddle (Christian Coulson)) and by deepening the camaraderie between Potter, Weasley, and Granger.
