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Monday, November 25, 2013

Piranha 3DD is disturbing, offensive, and an utter atrocity.
0 out of 10
 
 
I should have known... anything named Piranha 3DD was bound to be terrible. Seduced by the fun of the first movie, I sat down for what turned out to be a impossibly difficult viewing experience. After the events of the first film, the piranhas continue their path of terror and stumble upon a newly opened water park. They break into the pipes and appear in the pools and on water slides, tormenting and eating anyone they see. Can anyone stop these monstrous fish?

So clearly the plot makes no sense. This movie is also more sexualized than the first, bringing it to a disturbing level. The combination of graphic sexual content, horrific violence, and unfunny dark humor is enough to make almost anyone cringe. There are few (if any) redeeming qualities of this film. At one part, the characters hop from deck to deck trying to avoid the snapping jaws of a giant piranha. I think that was the only scrap of fun I experienced while watching this movie. Let the record show, I couldn't even finish this movie. It is very rare that I get offended while watching movies. I was very uncomfortable throughout the whole film but 30-45 minutes in I began to see things that shocked me to my core. I am talking about things so disgusting and lowbrow I was stunned and can't even talk about. I shut my eyes and stumbled up to my DVD player to shut it off, in complete and utter shock of what I had just seen. I can assure you, it made no sense but it was shocking all the same. I struggle to think of anyone who would enjoy this movie. I myself am completely ashamed to say I wasted my time with it. However, if you are insistent on seeing it... you have been warned. Overall, Piranha 3DD is disgusting, stupid, and should be skipped by everyone.
 
 
Piranha 3DD is rated R for sequences of strong bloody horror violence and gore, graphic nudity, sexual content, language and some drug use. 
http://www.impawards.com/2012/posters/piranha_3dd_ver4_xlg.jpg
 
Tags: horror, comedy, piranha, piranha 2, piranha 3DD, 

Sunday, November 24, 2013

500th view celebration: 5 trailers that are better than the movie
 
Today SkyScreening passed the 500 view mark. In celebration, I put together a special post.
 
 
Movie trailers are great! They are what help us decide if a movie is worth our time. There are good trailers and bad trailers. Good movies and bad movies. However, there is a rare case where the trailer is better than the movie but the movie is still good! Sure, you can make a trailer that is better than a terrible movie but making a trailer better than a good movie is rare. I have put together 5 trailers that are better than the movies themselves. Please note, these movies are still good... the trailers are just better.
 

1) Spring Breakers:
 
2) Crazy, Stupid, Love: 
 
3) The Lifeguard: 
 
4) The Spectacular Now: 
 
5) Like Crazy: 
 
 
Thank you all for supporting me and my blog! Keep visiting as new reviews are being uploaded often. Here at SkyScreening, your loyalty is just a number!
Piranha (2010) is a showcase of over-the-top violence that manages to entertain.
6.5 out of 10
 
 
This movie is a remake of the 1978 satire of Jaws which was also named Piranha. Welcome to Lake Victoria, a quiet town that will soon be flooded with wild teens on their spring break. Nothing can stop their good time splashing in the water... except maybe some killer fish. A recent earthquake has opened up an underwater canyon that leads to a second lake, buried under the first one. In that second lake, a species of vicious prehistoric piranhas have survived by eating each other, but now they are hungry for more. Sheriff Julie Forester tries to keep the rowdy teens out of the water, but no one listens... not even her son who goes out on a boat to help shoot an adult film. Everybody soon learns that there is indeed "something in the water." The film is brimming with partying, nudity and horrifying violence and gore. The movie is a satire of the horror genre that seems to put sex and violence together and serve it up to moviegoers. Spring breakers are frequently seen topless and behaving inappropriately. The sexual content and nudity are constant and would be a major problem, if it were not overshadowed by the violence. This movie may share the same plot as Jaws but it is not the same. The level of violence in Piranha makes Jaws look like a children's movie. The beginning of the movie is relatively tame, focusing more on the "setup". About halfway through, there is a sequence where the horde of piranhas reach the populated shores of spring break and the results are terrible. Gallons of blood flow as teens are massacred by these tiny fish and the results are stomach-churning. I saw things that one should never see. I don't want to go into detail but believe me, it is over-the-top and horrific. It is absolutely not for the faint of heart. However, horror fans who can handle excessive blood and gore may find this film entertaining and laugh at the absolute ridiculous nature of the film. As far as character development goes, there is none. Each character serves a single purpose and most are killed off without second thought. If you are looking for a movie with a complex and plausible plot, keep looking. You certainly won't find it here. In spite of all the gore and violence, Piranha somehow manages to entertain, providing a brainless and fun horror movie. Overall, Piranha is stupid and utterly disgusting but may provide horror fans with a fun time.


Piranha is rated R for sequences of strong bloody horror violence and gore, graphic nudity, sexual content, language and some drug use.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFedGniFI_zwmZ5wB7zGq-jxmDxsNo07YV3_SaK8mgzXOKOA32W7LTaBUyf4RNUM6P5fi-Oc0tXJWKlQG63WK8VtMrYBXi7z3r8fy240BRaSOykrpTZzYykrT-fLaS7UeG4Tg5ZVvOGc/s1600/PIRANHA+2010.jpg
Tags: R, horror, comedy, piranha,

Friday, November 22, 2013

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is a thrilling installment to the franchise, greatly improving upon its predecessor.
9 out of 10
 
Let's be honest, we can say we loved The Hunger Games movie but we all know it was somewhat disappointing. The movie failed to connect fully with the book. Catching Fire does not make the same mistake. Katniss and Peeta have returned from the 74th Hunger Games. When she is visited by President Snow, it is clear something is wrong. While on her victory tour, she soon learns that the fight for survival is far from over. The events that unfold are thrilling and engrossing. Where the first movie strayed from the book, Catching Fire remains close, trusting the strength of its work. This movie does a better job of creating the world of Panem and making it come to life. During her victory tour, Katniss visits all 12 districts. This allows you to really understand the diversity of the world. The pain of the people comes to life and tugs on one's heart. The brutality of the government is horrifying and the emotion makes for a deeply affecting and occasionally overwhelming experience. The pacing of the movie is similar, 90 minutes of setup before the action but this movie never feels boring. Each moment is filled with tension, fueled by the hate for the President. What in the first movie felt like a useless fashion show is now mocked, more easily illustrating the foolishness of the ritual. Everything about this movie feels different, reinvigorated. The Capitol is much more interesting in this film. The characters spend more time there which allows the movie to illustrate the stark difference in lifestyle between The Capitol and The Districts. The material is more affecting and dives into the deeper meaning of the text. The action in this film is also exceptional. Danger lurks around every corner and the action sequences are thrilling and pulse pounding. The special effects are stunning and create a very attractive and pleasant viewing experience. The violence is never graphic but still brutal, retaining the films decency. The acting in this film is one of its highlights and allows for moments of pure emotion. Katniss has grown as a character. No longer is she a scared girl but instead a symbol of strength and hope. Jennifer Lawrence seems much more comfortable in her role and is able to shine. She remains one of the most impressive young actresses and expertly conveys emotion, allowing one to empathize with her (note: Jennifer Lawrence may be the ugliest crier in all of Hollywood.). Peeta is as much as a sweetheart as ever and Josh Hutcherson is pretty good. Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket is as entertaining as ever and provides much needed comic relief. Johanna Mason is a very interesting character and the actress does an amazing job. Everyone in this movie is spectacular and succeeds in making the world of Panem come to life. Overall, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is an emotionally gripping and impressive installment to the series.
 
 
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some frightening images, thematic elements, a suggestive situation and language. 
http://latino-review.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/thehungergams-catchingfire-ukposter.jpg
Tags: action, recommended, the hunger games, the hunger games: catching fire, the hunger games catching fire, catching fire, PG-13, pg13,

Thursday, November 21, 2013

The Carrie Diaries is fun but may not appeal to fans of the Sex and the City.
7 out of 10
 
I was told this was what I would get instead of a 3rd movie. In preparation, I read the entire book series that the show is based on. The show follows a young Carrie Bradshaw living in Castleberry, Connecticut. After her mother's death, she falls in love with New York City and gets an internship. At home, she falls for the mysterious Sebastian and has to navigate family, high school, and all the other challenges of being a teen. The show does a pretty good job recreating the 80's... lots of neon... but something about the show is missing. It fails to capture the spirit of its base material. The Carrie Diaries often feels over sweet and stereotypical, kinda like an afterschool special. Characters are not very complex, just confused. Confusion and complexity are entirely different things and the show would do well to remember that. The characters act like stupid teens and then sit around and cry about it. That said, some fans of Sex and the City may be interested in Carrie's roots. Sex and the City never talked about the character's family so as to not lessen their independence. Seeing where Carrie came from is cool... only one problem: the show has no connection to Sex and the City. If the main character was not named Carrie Bradshaw, this show could function completely independent from Sex and the City. However, if you can remember that the main character is Carrie Bradshaw, you may find the show fascinating. Due to its high school setting and problems, I doubt this show will appeal to the older and more mature Sex and the City fans. The show is airing its second season on CW. Overall, The Carrie Diaries is occasionally fun but often cliché.


The Carrie Diaries is rated TV-PG
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/43/The_Carrie_Diaries_Season_1_Promotional_Poster.jpg
Tags: tv, television, tvpg, TV-PG, CW, Sex and the City, Sex, city, Sex in the City, the Carrie diaries, Carrie, diaries

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Sex and the City 2 makes some major errors but may still thrill fans.
6 out of 10
 
Honestly, I enjoyed this movie very much but gave it a non-stellar rating because the majority of people will not enjoy it. Carrie is in a stable relationship but struggles to keep things interesting. Samantha is approaching menopause. Charlotte is struggling with life at home. Miranda is as busy as ever and struggles to balance work and family. Together, the girls agree to take a trip to Abu Dhabi and experience the Middle East but find drama follows them wherever they go. The girls are just as good as ever but the problem lies with the writing. The plot is tired and incredibly uneventful. The movie is quite literally 2.5 hours of rich, white women complaining. The plot twists are insignificant and boring. That said, hardcore fans may still be pleased with any opportunity to spend more time with the girls. It was a major mistake to take Sex and the City out of the city. New York City was just as much of a character in the show as any of the girls. Did this movie deserve all the hate it received? No! I think this movie got trashed because of the clear downgrade in quality over time. Overall, Sex and the City 2 may please hardcore fans of the series but will annoy anyone else.
 
 
Sex and the City 2 is rated R for some strong sexual content and language. 
http://www.blogcdn.com/main.stylelist.com/media/2010/05/sex-and-the-city-2-240ls050310.jpg
Tags: R, Sex and the City, Sex, city, Sex in the City, sex and the city 2, sex in the city 2
Sex and the City: The Movie will thrill fans of the show but is ultimately less inspired.
7.75 out of 10


 Hardcore fans of the series were ecstatic to see Carrie put on her Manolo Blahniks once more. It provides a fun experience to satisfy fans of the show. Carrie has chosen her man and remains in relationship purgatory for 6 years but searches for the perfect apartment for them to share. Miranda is living in Brooklyn. Charlotte is now happily living her dream on 5th Avenue. Samantha is working in LA. Drama begins and what unfolds is the same stuff the viewers loved about the show. The only problem is the run time: 2.5 hours! It is basically a mini season of the show! Sometimes, it feels like it is dragging and needed help with pacing. The girls are as fantastic as ever and the writing is still good (not quite as good as the show). Overall, if you were a fan of the show, you will probably like the movie.
 
Sex and the City: The Movie is rated R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity and language. 
http://www.moviegoods.com/Assets/product_images/1010/417593.1010.A.jpg
Tags: R, recommended, Sex and the City, Sex, city, Sex in the City, sex and the city: the movie, sex in the city: the movie, sex and the city the movie, sex in the city the movie
Kick-Ass 2 is lame and overly violent.
3 out of 10
 
Kick-Ass 2 is a darker and less entertaining "real life" super hero movie. After the events of the first movie, Dave has given up crime fighting but feels as if there is something missing. Mindy continues to fight crime and protect the city. Dave considers donning his costume once more when a group of super villains begins to torment the city. Gone is the movie's satirical edge and what is left is a blood-soaked and sorry excuse for a movie. What made the first movie so fresh and exciting is missing here and the excess violence seems unjustified. This movie is also much darker than its predecessor. Perhaps it is the fact that the movie simply isn't funny. Without the humor, the slicing of limbs fails to make me smile. One of the more disturbing parts featured a teen yelling about his hatred for his mother and his desire to see her dead. She enters a tanning bed and the boy begins to kick it out of anger. The tanning bed shorts out and kills the mother. While watching, I found myself frequently asking, "Why are these people so mean?" The characters are often selfish, asking others to continue fighting crime when it gets too dangerous while they retire their cape. Such cowardice made everyone seem like hypocrites. This movie's action also features much more hand to hand combat which gives it a heightened sense of brutality. Jim Carrey was added to the cast and was very disappointing. His character was simply bland and unimportant. Every other performance was entirely unremarkable except for Chloë Grace Moretz. She plays Mindy and Hit-Girl, the most brutal and foul-mouthed of the entire cast. She was and still is the most enjoyable part of the film. The films best moments feature Mindy. Because Mindy grew up fighting crime, she never had a real childhood. The movie puts her in a high school setting and forces her to face her suppressed desires to fit in and her budding sexuality. Both topics are extremely interesting and would have been fantastic, had the movie not immediately aborted them. By doing so, the movie missed out on a very promising avenue. The parts in which Mindy was in high school were the shining moments. That said, the movie did have some decent action sequences, all of which had Mindy as the main fighter. Her acrobatic abilities make her the ultimate badass and a joy to watch. The movie also has an entirely different feel to it. Where the first movie felt more realistic and dealt with organized crime, this feels more like a comic due to the addition of super villains. Overall, Kick-Ass 2 is too dark and flawed to be considered a success.
 
 
Kick-Ass 2 is rated R for strong violence, pervasive language, crude and sexual content, and brief nudity
http://cdn.bloody-disgusting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Kick_Ass_2_Poster_7_12_13.jpg
Tags: kick ass, kick ass 2, kick-ass, kick-ass 2, action, comedy, R, dark

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Sex and the City is a fun and heartfelt look into sex and relationships in the 21st century.
9.75 out of 10
 
Sex and the City is a fun and fantastic story 4 women as they attempt to navigate love, sex, and relationships in modern NYC. Carrie is sex columnist. It is her job to observe and write about sexual trends in NYC, but her analytical tendencies start to conflict with her budding relationship with the mysterious Mr. Big. She narrates the story and acts as the main character. Samantha is a loose and highly sexual woman and believes that women are just as strong as men. She is an independent woman who feels no need to conform to society's norms. Miranda is the definition of a jaded New Yorker. Often cynical and frigid, she serves as the anchor of the group by providing the hard truth. Charlotte is a preppy optimist. A believer in true love, she constantly searches for the man to settle down with and start a family. Together, they team up to conquer the NYC social scene. Sex and the City was such a smash for the simple reason that it's amazing. Each character adds a new dimension to the group and allows any topic to receive a complex analysis. It was a bold show, able to speak candidly about sex. The writing team was able to accomplish something amazing: making the characters feel real. Through witty and occasionally poignant dialogue, each scene feels full and satisfying. Each episode features a "coffee table scene" in which the girls process the events in their life. Each one is complex and hilarious with characters never missing a beat. The show demonstrates a certain finesse by being able to talk about sex but not feel over the top. The girls are strong, independent and ultimately admirable. Sure, they may make questionable decisions... but who doesn't? They are realistic characters who the viewers are able to become very attached. In the first 2 seasons, the show is somewhat rough. During each episode, a topic will be mentioned and then multiple people will be consulted for their opinions. This provides more of an analytical feeling, which is fine but doesn't help viewer attach to the character. The show finds firmer footing in its 3rd season by cutting out confessionals. By creating solid narrative, the show was able to evolve and ultimately become stronger. The show ran 6 seasons, all strong and magnificent. Never once does the show feel stale; each new boyfriend brings something new. Even the returning boyfriends never feel stale. The show was followed by 2 movies and inspired a prequel spin-off. Overall, Sex and the City is a blissful television experience.
 
 
Sex and the City is rated TV-MA
http://amymcculloch.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/sex_and_the_city_poster.jpg
Tags: tv, television, tvma, TV-MA, HBO, recommended, Sex and the City, Sex, city, Sex in the City

Sunday, November 10, 2013

House of Cards is a dark and satisfying political drama
8.5 out of 10
 
House of Cards is a new Netflix show aired entirely on the internet. Dark and slick, it serves up good, albeit slow moving drama. Frank Underwood (Spacey) is a congressman who thinks he is going to get the Secretary of State nomination but the president elect screws him over. Hungry for revenge, he embarks on a twisted quest to destroy the presidential administration from the inside. Frank himself is a very interesting character; an intriguing anti-hero. The young reporter he manipulates, Zoe, is even more interesting and makes one question the price of ambition. Lighting is dark and sets a dreary and daunting tone to the show. Music creates a very tense atmosphere and manages to keep you on your toes. Characters are complex and have their own ambitions and personalities which makes the show as interesting as it is. Wonderfully directed and skillfully acted, it makes you question the need for cable. If a show this good can be made in the internet, why should I pay for cable? One thing I must note is that the show is very political and talky. To be honest it is the definition of no action show. However, if you can stick with it, you may be greatly rewarded. It has one season available on Netflix and the second season is set to air in 2014. Overall, House of Cards is a slow but intriguing political drama worth considering.
 
House of Cards is rated TV-MA
http://www.impawards.com/tv/posters/house_of_cards_ver2_xlg.jpg
Tags: drama, tv, television, TV-MA, tv, tvma, recommended, House of Cards, cards, political

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Game of Thrones is a television triumph
9 out of 10
 
 
Game of Thrones is an absolute gem. Utterly engrossing and addicting, it is the definition of quality television. Welcome to the land of Westeros where summer can last for years, and winter even longer. Noble houses rule the land all united under a single king, protector of the realm. Lord Stark of Winterfell knows that winter is coming. He begins a journey up the political ladder. Complex plotlines and interesting plot twists follow and he learns that in the game of thrones, you either win... or you die. There is no question, Game of Thrones is worth the hype. It may start out slow but it achieves great success and provides great reward for those who can stick with it. Game of Thrones is the definition of excess; excess violence, sex, and money. Make no mistake, it may look like Lord of the Rings, but this is an entirely different ballgame. The violence is gratuitous and occasionally cringe inducing. Anyone who doesn't handle violence well will most likely not find comfort in this show. Sex is also extremely prevalent in this show, which I do not have a problem with except it doesn't always service the story. Occasionally, graphic sexual content is thrown in just for the sake of it and can lead to some very uncomfortable moments. I understand the show is on HBO and is allowed freedoms but those freedoms do not need to be used constantly. This show also has a very large budget, and it is used very well. A whole new world is created filled with lush scenery and interesting sets. Each landscape and city offers a new and interesting setting. The characters and actors are stunning. The characters are complex and never fail to entertain. There is a healthy balance of characters I love and characters I love to hate. Multidimensional characters allow for a more complex and dynamic viewing experience. The plot is also amazing with betrayal and intrigue around every corner. The show certainly does a great job mixing it up as it will kill off a major character without a blink of an eye. It has aired 3 seasons and has been renewed for a fourth. Overall, Game of Thrones is a very mature and complex fantasy absolutely worth checking out.
 
 
Game of Thrones is rated TV-MA
http://www.pagepulp.com/wp-content/gotseas1.jpg
Tags: Game of Thrones, Throne, Thrones, Game, HBO, TV, television, drama, action, fantasy, tvma, TV-MA, recommended,