Movie Review #19 21 Jump Street (2012)

- The 80s continue to live due to my continued efforts

I fully admit I'm a kid of the 80's and loved it, still do. They produced the best cartoons, some of the best movies (later the year I'll be doing my best five movies) and some great tv shows as well! With that out of the way, I'll admit that I never saw the original 21 Jump Street. So if the movie was trying to be like the show, I'll never know. I do know that this movie is supposed to be a continuation of the beloved (?) TV series so that might be something to catch the eye of rabid Depp and DeLuise fans. 

I haven't really enjoyed either of the main actors' (Hill and Tatum) acting chops in the past. For starters, I didn't think that Jonah Hill was 'best supporting actor' material in Moneyball. As for Channing Tatum, well, I've only seen him in Haywire (read my review here) so that was not really a great introduction to him!

Movie Review #18 Contagion (2011)

- We've run out natural disaster movies so let's drive disease movies into the ground!

If my memory serves me, this is the second Steven Soderbergh film I've reviewed. I didn't plan it, but hey, now he has a second chance to impress the readers of this blog. I've got to say that disaster movies, be it weather related or in this case, about disease, do not really interest me so the movies run along a thin line at the get-go. What interests me most is the post-apocalyptic after effects plot, the star studded cast and again, Soderbergh's directing does catch my eye (even if the last movie I watched of his was a disappointment). Contagion might not have the meat I'm looking for but there is surely enough to get me to watch it. So, on with the show.

Contagion's story overall story isn't complicated. There is a virus that has hit the human race, it has an incredibly short lifespan and it kills the infected person long before any virus has the right to do so. Through the movie, we follow the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and its various levels of management, through two main characters: one character who has lost someone dear to him and a blogger who believes he is spreading the truth because he has all the answers. I promise I'm not as annoying as Alan Krumwiede (played by Jude Law) but I'm sure I know all the answers.

Movie Review #17 The Room (2003)

 - Bad movies can't roll back into good

I'm not even sure where to start with this review; it really is that bad of a movie. Not bad as in that way you laugh like a B movie, but where you feel very awkward for everyone involved because such poor decisions were made that there might actually be something intelligent within but it will never matter because it is so overwhelmingly bad you'd need a full bleaching of the mind to forget it..

Foolishly, I promised (and I always keep my word – sort of like a Lannister!) to watch the movie on a few friends' recommendation. I won't name them but, let's say that I will certainly be wary of their movie recommendations from now on. I'm not really sure what they were going for within the movie, it's not a comedy and anyone laughing isn't laughing with them. The characters take themselves too seriously throughout the entire movie which ultimately stopped me from enjoying the film. A joke movie has to be having fun with itself or it is just awkward. I can't believe how idiotic things were, but enough generalization, on to the specifics.

Movie Review #16 Machine Gun Preacher (2011)

- When God has had enough he sends a preacher to do his work

Machine Gun Preacher is based on true story of Sam Childers and whether it's completely true, or true with a flair for the artistic, or even perhaps just true in name only is certainly up for debate. The movie doesn't give any indication that it isn't true (no flying dragons or anything hyper unrealistic) and it adds a clear warning that Kony started in a similar fashion so as it isn't completely one sided towards the hero Sam. Now I admit I don't really care for the entire Kony thing. I never watched the video though I know there is one, I know there is a sequel and it didn't do as well because nobody really wants to be preached about the same thing twice. I live once and where do I draw the line at who I care for? The answer is friends and family. But I figured it has the action tag on it it's probably more action-oriented than gospel so I'll give it a viewing.

Movie Review #15 Super 8 (2011)

- Abrams joins with Spielberg for some on-screen magic

Super 8 was one of those movies that just didn't really grab me and demand my immediate attention mostly due to the fact I'm not really the target audience any longer. But I watched it anyway because really I'm a kid at heart and I don't really know when to say no to a movie. I went in knowing there were a bunch of kids and they were going to have an adventure and there was going to be an unseen thing that might send chills down our backs if we had a weak fortitude.

I'm going to say right away that J.J. Abrams is totally a hit or miss when he delivers something to me. I thought Cloverfield was a waste of time mostly because I was promised an American Godzilla-like franchise and nothing in that movie was remotely enjoyable like any of the original Godzilla movies of old. I also wanted to punch most of the cast and not to mention the shaky cam, but I digress. For me, the point was whether or not Spielberg could help sway Abrams back into the black.

Movie Review #14 Prometheus (2012)

- We dive into the world of Alien and NOT the world of Alien Resurrection!

Ridley Scott is back to the helm with a mostly connected prequel to the famed movie Alien (1979). Originally the movie was conceived as a proper prequel but now it's more of a retooling of the same universe kind of movie. They wanted it to draw in fans of Alien, but I guess they wanted to have an out when people screamed this isn't Alien at all! The movie certainly isn't as horror/thriller as the first one.

The movie has some tense sequences and maybe it's just that I'm so much older watching this than when I watched the original Alien but I certainly see Alien as a far scarier movie than Prometheus. I thought the entire horror/thriller aspect of the film was a little subdued and I appreciate that this movie was a mix of Science-fiction and horror. I felt both genres were mixed rather well then any one taking centre stage. Fans of both genres have something to see here without ostracizing the other.

Movie Review #13 Iron Sky (2012)

 - When you know you're bad, you're good.

Today I've decided to review something a little different.  Iron Sky is not your regular theatre going movie unless you frequent movies that contain Nazis AND they've lived on the moon for the past 60 years.  If you do, could you send me the titles of the movies because honestly I believed this to be the first Moon Nazi film.  Going on that belief, this is the best Moon Nazi movie in existence and  here's the reason why.


The movie is full of racist and crude jokes, many of which could offend you or just fall flat in general. I believe the director/writers aren't really going for attacks against any one group but are genuinely doing it just for the joke of it all.  It is about Nazis who have lived on the moon for 60 years with no interaction with Earth.  They shouldn't have any resources; but here they are, existing on the moon and we are to believe they got to where they are because we are seeing them now.  The movie explains nothing.  Your suspension of disbelief is going to have to be high for this one as it will be tested throughout the movie quite a bit.  This isn't a movie to take seriously, it doesn't so why should you? With all the moments of ridiculous action and other sequences you just have to let go and enjoy the ride because Moon Nazis just won't stop.  I know I've lost a few of you already but for those still with us, keep reading if you're still on the fence.