50 Shades of Grey

50 Shades of Grey: Inner Goddesses Rejoice

              As if my addiction to Sex and the City weren’t enough, in my freshman year I sat down to read the 50 Shades trilogy, cementing the fact that I am, at heart, a housewife approaching menopause. And so I devoured the 1,500+ page series, rolling my eyes incessantly. Ana as a character was complete garbage. Her ongoing inner monologue with her dancing inner goddess and her snarky subconscious constantly fighting was painful and frankly may imply schizophrenia. What you hear is true; the books are so poorly written, it’s like an insult to writers everywhere. However, I knew what I was signing up for, poorly written mom porn, and I got it. I knew movies were the next step for the franchise… it would be a poor marketing decision to not. However, I had no idea what it would be like.

              When the first trailer was released, I have to say, I was rather surprised. It seemed really well done. I thought that if they could get rid of the horrible dialogue, monologue, and overall writing, the movie could be passable. If it was visually well done and tastefully handled, we may have a good movie. And due to the fact Beyoncé was singing, we already knew the soundtrack was going be excellent. Here’s the trailer:

 It certainly looked visually stunning, one shot is particular stuck out:

              I was admittedly excited and visually, the movie delivered. It looked rich and decadent, Christian’s office and apartment looking sleek and powerful with a lot of black, gray, and white. The director also utilized scenery in a pretty effective way, the picture above being an example. The Seattle skyline provided a beautiful and elegant backdrop for a large portion of the movie and even the rare scenes in nature were accompanied by beautiful scenery.

 One thing that definitely stood out throughout the movie was the lighting. This movie’s lighting is absolutely incredible. My eyes were seduced by a warm orange glow lighting the character’s skin during a sultry discussion over the contract of their relationship. The light in the “Red Room of Pain” made the dark red leather shine, making the experience of seeing the room for the first time intense and exciting.

To the director’s credit, the sex scenes were handled rather tastefully… well, as tastefully as they could. This is due in part to the absence of Ana’s inner monologue, sparing us the grimy details. Also, they canned some of the more cringe worthy encounters and I must say, I have never before been so glad that a movie was NOT loyal to the book. If I was forced to endure seeing some of the horrible things I read, this movie would’ve been straight up porn. Make no mistake, this movie is racy. However, it is in no way to be considered pornography. I really wasn’t shocked by anything in this film. That’s not to say you should watch it on family movie night. This movie is absolutely not for children or the faint of heart… but it isn’t as offensive as it could have been. They’ve toned it down for the mainstream audience but kept enough to satisfy fans of the book.

There is no question that the direction is beyond competent.

I was very worried about the writing in this film. Not including a voice over of Ana’s inner monologue was probably the film’s best decision. However, the dialogue was still at risk of being every bit as terrible as it was in the book… however, the movie handled it well. Contrary to what the trailer makes you believe, the movie never really takes itself too seriously. Unlike the book, the film acknowledges the ridiculous nature of their relationship, allowing the dialogue to be more tongue in cheek and the experience to be a whole lot more enjoyable. In fact, the scene where the two negotiate their relationship in the form of a contract, talking about what is considered a hard and soft limit, is absolutely hilarious. I’d say it competes with the first use of the Red Room, which was also pretty awesome (a sensual version of Crazy in Love by Beyoncé playing in the background, what’s not to love?!... oh yea… the whips and abuse), for the best scene. That’s not to say I didn’t wince at some of the stupid things these people say to each other. When the film takes itself serious, it is disastrous. But a little train wreck was to be expected due to its source material.

As far as acting, I was pleasantly surprised. Dakota Johnson, who plays Ana, did not make a good first impression on me in the trailer. I felt that the horrible and idiotic character from the book would be simply put on screen. Boy was I wrong. Dakota Johnson seems to do the impossible, make Anastasia Steele a tolerable character. In fact, I enjoyed her. She was actually quite funny and secretly amazingly beautiful. She may not ever outgrow this role, but she plays it pretty well and I’d love to see her in other films. Jamie Doran is not as good. His character is cold but he doesn’t convey any sort of warmth or really contribute much to the chemistry other than a body.

Now comes a rather odd suggestion on my part. I think this movie needs to be enjoyed in a group setting. If I were to have watched it alone, the dialogue may have felt more serious and the eye-rolling factor would have been greatly increased. I went with a group of friends who I am very comfortable with and we had a great time laughing together. Not to mention the guy behind us who, at the film’s climax, said, “This is some bulls**t!” We laughed for minutes. You need someone to reflect back the ridiculous nature of this film and I think, contrary to what many may feel, it is better enjoyed in a group.

Is it an excellent film? Not really. In fact, it is being called boring by many. But one cannot deny that it is infinitely better than the book. Is it for everyone? Absolutely not. But if you need to feed your inner goddess so she can do back flips and dance in circles, this is the film for you. Just leave your snarky subconscious at home.

50 Shades of Grey is rated R for strong sexual content including dialouge, some unusual behavior and graphic nudity, and for language

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Tags: romance, r, 50 shades, fifty shades, 50 shades of grey, fifty shades of grey

Scream Franchise

 

The Scream Franchise: A meta horror feat

 

Meta:(of a creative work) referring to itself or to the conventions of its genre; self-referential.

Recently, I have been rather intrigued with the horror genre. I hadn't paid much mind to it. After all, as I became old enough to really begin to delve into the genre, Saw movies were being made. I watched (without actually watching the movies) as blood flowed and reviews plummeted in a franchise that just wouldn't die. So I went through the years thinking that horror movies generally consisted of a lot of blood and very little character development. Somewhere around the age of 8, I managed to somehow become psychologically scarred by the image of The Ghostface Killer, the slasher of the Scream Franchise... how I managed to do this, I'm not quite sure considering I had never seen the movies... but he embodied the darkness and danger that seemed to lurk around every corner, just waiting to sink its knife into me.

All these years later, I thought it time to sink my teeth into the horror genre. We had never really gotten along but if I was to have a future in reviewing, I would have to at least be familiar with and respect the art form. I was able to see it as that, an art form, and slowly began to expose myself to some of the classic films about things that go bump in the night (the original Dracula, Nightmare on Elm Street, The Shining), generally avoiding the typical slasher films. While exploring the horror section on Netflix, I noticed the presence of the entire Scream Franchise and found myself oddly tempted. My mouse hovered over it several times, daring myself to press play. I watched the trailer again, trying to gauge if viewing the film would uncover some of the scars that may lie under the surface. I finally clicked play and began the movie that would help me further my understanding of the genre and what I find so off-putting about it. See the trailer here:

I was greeted by an opening sequence so effective and so chilling, I couldn't help but watch more. The killer's voice sent chills down my spine, the terror in the victim's screams, the brutality of the murder... it was all so shocking and yet deliciously dark and cool. So I continued and found that the movie was not a typical slasher but a sly, witty deconstruction of the genre I have hated and been oddly attracted to. The chase scenes are pulse pounding, the characters adequately developed, and the violence tolerable. The movie, and franchise, seem to benefit from the mystery aspect of the movies, the question of who is behind the mask. In some slashers, the identity of the killer doesn't really seem matter, the numerous victims do... which is kind of odd because lord knows the numerous victims aren't getting any development! Perhaps that is why the genre can often feel empty. What makes the movies so "meta" is the fact that the characters acknowledge the situation they are in and how it resembles many of the horror films that they love to watch. The rules are spelled out, broken, and the characters pay the price. One thing I did find so interesting was the fact that the killer was fallible. It seems that the victim is often at the mercy of the killer, running and screaming, never fighting back(am I wrong?). This is not the case in Scream. The killer trips, the kids fight back... it was all strangely empowering. All of these kids stood a chance, something I'm not sure many victims get. It is said that Scream helped redefine a genre and it's easy to see why. Scream is a funny, scary, and an all around cool movie with one hell of an ending.

I pressed on the second film with high hopes. And they were met. It was more of the same witty and clever violence... but was still a joy to watch. The rules for a sequel are a little different:
"1. The body count is always bigger.
2. The death scenes are always much more elaborate, with more blood and gore. "
The first scene of the sequel is arguably more meta than the entire first movie, a murder at the premiere of the movie Stab, a fictional movie based off the events in the first movie. Is that hard to understand? Basically, a survivor of the first movie takes what she experienced, writes a book... which is turned into a crappy horror movie, the very thing the original Scream was poking fun at. The first murder at the premiere seems to send a message about the effect of violence in movies... a message I am still a bit fuzzy on... While the movie contains all of what made the original great, it does manage to add some more, most notably character development. I remember a scene where I quite literally felt myself falling in love with the characters. They begin to form bonds with each other, bonds I feared would be severed by the swing of the killer's knife.

The third movie is generally regarded as the low point of the series, accidentally employing the very clichés that it once scoffed at. It takes place on the set on the newest movie in the fictional movie franchise based of the events of the first movie (I'm really not sure how to explain it in a clearer way).The issue lied with writing. The script had a change in writers, a change I noted rather quickly. The killer's dialogue was particularly satanic, opting to tell people they "are going to be skewered like a little piggy" rather than opting for the classic "you're going to die tonight." Such dialogue made me cringe a little more than I would have wanted. Essentially, the movie is a long, murderous episode of Scooby Doo played by the rules of the final installment of a trilogy:
1. "You've got a killer who’s gonna be superhuman. Stabbing him won’t work, shooting him won’t work. Basically in the third one, you gotta cryogenically freeze his head, decapitate him, or blow him up."
2. "Anyone, including the main character, can die."
3. "The past will come back to bite you in the ass. Whatever you think you know about the past, forget it. The past is not at rest! Any sins you think were committed in the past are about to break out and destroy you."
The chase scenes are still thrilling, the characters continue to develop, and the movie does have some genuine thrills. The final act does take place in a mansion with numerous secret passages, further amplifying the Scooby Doo feel. However, during this installment, as one of the supporting and infinitely disposable characters acts rather selfishly in the face of death, I realized why I am often so offended by horror movies. There is something about human being's natural instinct to save ourselves that I find particularly disgusting. People are selfish when faced with their own demise, often sacrificing others for their own escape. Perhaps it is the fact that this instinct lies in all of us that I find so threatening but something about it does not sit right with me. However, the recurring characters in these films do not fit this description. They never seem to think twice about running towards the killer in hopes of saving their friends. The recurring characters aren't victims, they're fighters. They aren't survivors, they're heroes. It's an aspect that seems to enhance the characters and really allow you to root for them. Is it great? No. But it's watchable! If you watched the first two, you probably will find something to like in the third one.

The fourth installment, being released 10 years later, deals with a reboot. Someone is once again slashing people and observing the rules of the reboot/remake. The movie seems to get away from itself at times, becoming possibly too meta (like mega-meta). The movie may simply think it is smarter than it is. For example, the scene in which they lay down the rules is thrown at you very quickly in an attempt to make the whole thing feel slick. I took the liberty of transcribing the rules:
" The unexpected is the new cliché. Virgins can die now… and the kill’s gotta be way more extreme. Modern audiences get savvy to the rules of the originals so the reverse has become the new standard. In fact, the only surefire way to survive a modern horror movie? …You pretty much have to be gay."
Anyone else get lost somewhere in there? It's still fun and by this point, I am so attached to the characters that I am screaming at my screen when they are in danger, squirming and squealing at the intensity... I may just be a freak, but I really attached to these characters and I really didn't want to see them get slashed. It should be noted that gore is rather amped up in this installment. The MPAA seems to have become more lax on the amount of violence that it allows in film because the blood really seems to flow. It isn't the strongest installment but it is still fun.

Scream is a series that I respect immensely for it's ability to poke fun at and properly deconstruct a genre that seems to often be looked down on. It arguably loses steam in its later chapters but in truth, they are all watchable and all enjoyable. Definitely worth checking out... if you have the guts. After you watched the franchise, I'd just be dying to know... What's your favorite scary movie?

Scream is rated R for strong graphic horror violence and gore, and for language. 

Scream 2 is rated R for language and strong bloody violence. 

Scream 3 is rated R for strong horror violence and language. 

Scream 4 is rated R for strong bloody violence, language and some teen drinking. 

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Tags: Scream, Scream 2, Scream 3, Scream 4, Scre4m, scream franchise, scream series, r, horror, thriller, recommended,

Boyhood

Boyhood is an intimate and beautiful story.

9 out of 10

 

I don't quite remember where I saw the trailer but I immediately knew I needed to see this movie. See the trailer for yourself right here:

In fact, my desire to see this movie drove me all the way to NYC to IFC Center where the popcorn was organic, nobody would give me grief about my age, and the movie was actually playing. It is a shame this movie has such a limited release but everyone seems to agree, Boyhood is something you should see.

 

In case you are a little confused, allow me to clarify. Boyhood is a fictional movie about a boy growing up. The boy was cast when he was 6 and the movie was filmed over the following 12 years using the same cast. It isn't a documentary but at times it seems like it could be. The dialogue feels natural and the moments so relatable they gave chills. Did you not grow up a boy? Not to worry! There is truly something here for everyone to relate to as the whole family, not just the little boy, goes through life and matures.

 

Boyhood is such an amazing experience. I went with a group of girls and after the movie we discussed it on our train ride home. It quickly became apparent that I missed almost all of the little details in this movie. I was so overwhelmed and impressed (not to mention lost in my head contemplating my own experiences) that I missed the "finesse points" of the film. The movie is so amazingly well done that I am excited to sit for another 3 hours and watch it again! Yes, 3 hours of studying a boy and his life. And let me tell you, there is not one car chase or gunshot. Does 3 hours of sitting in a theater with no action sequences scare you? If so, please don't watch this movie. For the rest of you, I can assure you the 3 hour run time is not a problem. Never once does the movie feel like it's dragging. By the end, I had been on a rollercoaster of emotions and I felt like I could look back on this movie and reminisce as if it was my own childhood.

 

I can't really express how amazingly well done this movie is. It is so amazing to watch these characters evolve as they are shaped by the world around them. The movie is incredibly in tune with the times, integrating pop culture with ease. The movie is just awesome. Do yourself a favor and see it.

 

Boyhood is rated R for language including sexual references, and for teen drug and alcohol use.

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Tags: drama, comedy, R, recommended, boyhood

22 Jump Street is very funny but occasionally overwhelms with idiocy.

7.75 out of 10

 

The sequel to the reboot of the television show (that you didn't even know existed) has hit theaters! Check out the trailer here:

Let's get it out of the way. Acting is fine. Direction is adequate. Who cares? The only thing that matters is the humor. Is it funny? Absolutely! The movie had me in stitches... at times. At other times, the jokes made me roll my eyes so hard I was unsure if they would ever return to their normal position... but in the best way possible. The movie blends three types of humor, all of which are featured in the trailer.

 

Type 1: Slapstick idiocy

This is a type of humor I have little respect for and causes the majority of my eye-rolling. This was expertly illustrated by the attack of the octopus and Jonah Hill screaming, "IT'S INKING IN MY MOUTH!" Can it illicit a chuckle? Perhaps, but it doesn't quite belong in this comic palace.

 

Type 2: Raunchy humor

It's not that raunchy humor is any more complicated than slapstick idiocy... I just think it is funnier. When the guy in prison starts screaming, "I'm Eric's b***h... THIS A*S IS YOURS!" it is kinda funny... but it doesn't compare to type 3.

 

Type 3: Self-satire

The movie is at its best when it laughs at itself. I absolutely love it! "Ladies, nobody cared about the Jump Street reboot... but you got lucky. So now this department has invested A LOT of money to make sure Jump Street keeps going." The movie is filled with clever jokes, poking fun at the shortcomings of sequels and then succeeding wildly.

 

With enough comedy and action to satisfy most audience members, 22 Jump Street is a satisfying sequel and is worth the price of admission.

 

22 Jump Street is rated R for language throughout, sexual content, drug material, brief nudity and some violence. 

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Tags: 22 jump street, comedy, action, r

Her is a tender look into what it means to be a human.

9 out of 10

 

 

Last night, I sat down to watch Spike Jonze's new film, Her, an unconventional love story set in the not so distant future. See the trailer here:

I had very high expectations going into this movie and they were all met and surpassed. This movie gave me the "feels". Samantha (the Siri like machine/lover) wants to experience all life has to offer as she learns about emotions and feelings. Her desires are simple but as a character, she is very complex and interesting. The movie is 2 hours and I enjoyed every single minute of it. It was perfect, the movie felt long and rich but never bloated.

 

Performance wise, this movie was astonishing. Joaquin Phoenix expertly portrays a sweet, possibly creepy man. I felt his sadness and could really relate to him as a character. Scarlett Johansson gives an absolutely fantastic performance as Samantha, the Operating System. Her voice is warm and inviting, you can't help but love her. Together, as the go around experiencing life and you cannot help but feel with them. Amy Adams, Olivia Wilde, and Rooney Mara are great supporting actors.

 

I know what your thinking, this movie seems so odd. How could someone fall in love with Siri? I will not deny you that the movie is odd, but Scarlett Johansson does such a fantastic job bringing Samantha to life that it doesn't feel that awkward. Their chemistry is palpable. I may have even fallen in love with Samantha a little bit!

 

Something about this movie really spoke to me. It truly is a sweet movie and an emotional rollercoaster. It is fresh and exciting. And be honest, is the premise really THAT unrealistic? Think about it. As a society, how far are we from falling in love with out gadgets? Food for thought.

 

Overall, Her is a wonderful and refreshing love story that may be odd but is definitely worth watching.

 

Her is rated R for language, sexual content and brief graphic nudity.

http://www.impawards.com/2013/posters/her_xlg.jpg

 

Tags: her, comedy, romance, drama, R, recommended,

The Wolf of Wall Street is distasteful and disgusting but wildly entertaining.

8.5 out of 10

 

 

I walked in to the theater thinking I was going to see a movie about the corruption of the finance world. Within 30 seconds, I knew I was getting something else entirely. Wild debauchery and constant bad behavior poured onto the screen and continued for 3 hours. Meet Jordon Belfort, a young man with big ambitions. At the age of 22, he begins his journey by working as a stock broker. He soon learns the business and starts his own with the help of his friends. The movie follows his climb to the top and his fall to the bottom. It is distasteful and vulgar but is interesting all the same. Make no mistake, this movie should not be written off. It is directed by Martin Scorsese so it has to be good right? Well...

 

What could have been a cautionary tale of Wall Street corruption was instead a showcase of bad behavior. It was almost like someone sat down and said, "Let's make a very inappropriate movie! We can make the characters do A LOT of drugs and feature constant nudity and sexual content. And why not throw in every bad word under the sun!" Indeed, I often felt I was drowning in questionable content. I read that the F-word was said 414 times in this movie... and trust me, that is the least of your concerns. The movie seems to lose its way in all the partying. The woman who sat behind me agreed. At one point I heard her say, "Oh this is disgusting." Indeed, she was correct. I doubt she liked the movie very much. As soon as the credits rolled I turned to my father (I saw the movie with him) and said, "Well, that was interesting!" He turned to me and said, "You cannot blog about this." "Why not?" I asked. He looked me right in the eyes and said, "Because they will arrest me if they knew I took you to this movie." I can assure you my movie attendance was entirely legal but he had a point. I have no idea how this movie was not NC-17. The debauchery is tolerable, even entertaining, in the fist hour but by hour 3 it had lost its sparkle.

 

All that aside, I did enjoy myself. All 3 hours I was never bored. I always had a smile on my face... even if I was simultaneously rolling my eyes at the screen. With 3 hour movies, problems with pacing are common... not here. Sure they may have wasted time with party scenes but it didn't really affect the pacing. It was shot beautifully and the writing is very well done. The story itself was interesting, albeit predictable. The performances, wonderful. Leonardo DiCaprio was great and very funny. Jonah Hill was very funny. Everybody was funny! The movie was funny! I truly did enjoy it. My only major complaint is the constant explicit content.

 

It is not for young kids. It is not something you will want to enjoy as a family movie. It is not for the faint of heart. However, The Wolf of Wall Street may satisfy you... just know what you're signing up for.

 

The Wolf of Wall Street is rated R for sequences of strong sexual content, graphic nudity, drug use and language throughout, and for some violence. 

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Tags: comedy, drama, R, recommended, the wolf of wall street, wall street, the wolf,

Closer is magnetic, heart-wrenching, and explicit.

9 out of 10

 

 

Closer is difficult to explain. It is a movie based on a play and centers on 4 adults in London. Life throws them together in a series of chance encounters and a story unfolds; a story of sex, betrayal, and revenge. But in the end, Closer is a story of relationships and the fickle nature of love. Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, and Clive Owen star. Jude Law is the weakest link and often feels boring. He calmly explains his actions at times when I expected raw emotion. Julia Roberts has the same problem but to a lesser extent. It is more appropriate due to the fact that her character is a "depressive". Clive Owen is very good, successfully portraying the slimy character he is and I often felt his pain. He is a wounded man who seeks revenge and (in my opinion) ends up the most unlikable character. However, Natalie Portman steals the show as Alice. She expertly conveys Alice's naïvety and is a joy to watch. Her character is so complex and she tackles it with ease. All the movie's characters are magnificently complex and make for a strange but enjoyable experience. The movie itself is sexually-charged and occasionally uncomfortable. However, the explicit nature of the film serves a purpose. Through frank discussion and heated arguments, the topic of sex is explored and allows for a raw and affecting product. The movie is basically a play with about 10 scenes and the timeframe can be a little confusing so be sure to pay attention! The movie may not appeal to everyone, especially anyone who may be sensitive to the explicit content. However, if you can handle it, Closer may turn out to be a rewarding and affecting movie. Overall, Closer is beautiful but not for the faint of heart.

 

 

Closer is rated R for sequences of graphic sexual dialogue, nudity/sexuality and language.

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Tags: drama, recommended, R, Closer,

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.

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Tags: R, horror, comedy, piranha,

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. 

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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. 

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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

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Tags: kick ass, kick ass 2, kick-ass, kick-ass 2, action, comedy, R, dark

Movie 43 is absolutely terrible.

0.5 out of 10

 

Movie 43 is a complete and utter mess not worthy of screen time. The star studded cast is wasted (as is the usual with an ensemble cast), but this takes horrid to an all new extreme. Ensemble cast movies generally have a loose plot but this movie is different. It has no plot.  Its trailer is pretty funny which led me into the theaters. A waste of my life. Distasteful and just plain awful, Movie 43 should be skipped by everyone.

 

Movie 43 is rated R for strong pervasive crude and sexual content including dialogue, graphic nudity, language and some violence

 

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 Tags: comedy, Movie 43, R

The Bling Ring is an oddly cold and strange crime drama.

3.5 out of 10

 

I struggled to figure out what The Bling Ring was. Enticed by the promise of Emma Watson as a valley girl, I sat down for what turned out to be a very strange 90 minutes. The movie centers around a group of teens in California that break into famous people's homes and steal their possessions. It is based on a real life crime ring that did the same thing in 2010. The group steals from a variety of homes from Paris Hilton to Lindsey Lohan. The whole movie feels cold and it was a struggle to find a scrap of sympathy for the characters. Everyone acts out of control and has no morals. It almost feels like a nightmare because we know it ends badly. Seeing this movie made me oddly uncomfortable but perhaps the was the goal. Maybe I was supposed to see the error is idolizing celebrities and the oversexualization of today's teens. Maybe it was just a strange movie. However, Emma Watson was stunning as the snotty valley girl. That alone was enough to make the movie worthwhile.

The Bling Ring is rated R for teen drug and alcohol use, and for language including some brief sexual references.
 

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 Tags: Bling ring, crime, drama, R, the bling ring,

The Hangover Part III is flawed but amusing

6 out of 10
 

It is no secret that The Hangover's plot line could be stretched no further. The Hangover Part II was proof. At least Part III mixes it up a bit. Is it good? Not really. It will satisfy fans of the series but will most likely not win any new converts. Alan is acting out and not taking his meds. The gang decides to stage an intervention but while bringing him to a facility, they are attacked and kidnapped and Doug is taken hostage. The 3 set out on an adventure centering around one of the strangest characters in the film, Leslie Chow. What ensues is more of an action comedy than anything else. It has its moments but is ultimately unnecessary. I will say, it ties the events of all 3 movies together is an interesting, albeit loose, way. Overall, fans of the series should check it out. If you are not a fan, skip it.

The Hangover Part III is rated R for pervasive language including sexual references, some violence and drug content, and brief graphic nudity.
 

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 Tags: action, comedy, hangover, hangover 3, hangover part 3, hangover part III, R

Black Swan is a stunning psychological thriller.

9 out of 10

 

Black Swan is a trippy look into madness and the pursuit of perfection. Brimming with chilling visuals that never seem to lose their power, Black Swan can only be described as deeply disturbing. Ambitious ballerina, played by Natalie Portman, finally gets a chance to stand in the spotlight. Innocent and sexually inexperienced, she struggles tying to capture the sexuality of the black swan. Consumed with desire to be perfect, a descent into madness begins and a thrilling ride ensues. Portman is absolutely fantastic. Chilling and absolutely stunning, Black Swan is an amazing movie that will have you cheering (and on edge).

Black Swan is rated R for strong sexual content, disturbing violent images, language and some drug use.
 

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 Tags: black, black swan, drama, R, recommended, swan, thriller

The To Do List is a lowbrow distasteful comedy barely worth of watching.

2 out of 10

 

What seems to be an attempt to flip womanizing sex comedies lands flat on its face. Lovable Aubrey Plaza subjects herself to a leading role in a below average film. It's no secret women can use men. We don't need a movie to prove it. Young brandy is graduating high school with stellar grades and is ready for college. Only one problem: sexual inexperience. So she sets out to fulfill a list of sexual acts. It is gross. Unnecessary crude humor is thrown in your face and it is distasteful. It's clunky and stupid. Overall, The To Do List is a completely unenjoyable experience.

The To Do List is rated R for pervasive strong crude and sexual content including graphic dialogue, drug and alcohol use, and language - all involving teens.
 

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 Tags: comedy, list, R, To Do List

Spring Breakers is hedonistic yet somehow fulfilling.
7.5 out of 10

 

Spring Breakers is a nonstop party filled with sex and violence. Its message and social commentary are interesting and surprising. Not for the faint of heart, it features constant nudity, substance abuse, and language. Writing is sometimes redundant but the camera work and use of neon colors/ color distortion creates the perfect ambiance. Four college girls are tired of their surroundings and plan to go to Florida for spring break. Due to their lack of funds, they are forced to rob a store. After stealing their professor’s car and robbing a diner wielding squirt guns, the girls then set out to “find themselves”. Over the top partying ensues which gets the girls arrested. They are then bailed out by a local criminal named Alien. From there the quest to “find themselves” begins it’s descent into darker territory. It is inappropriate and very hard not to laugh at but that is the goal; to expose the ridiculousness of the spring break coming of age ritual. The movie does feature some excellent performances by James Franco and the girls. Director Harmony Korine succeeds in creating a modern and edgy movie. Overall, Spring Breakers is entertaining but certainly over the top.

Spring Breakers is rated R for strong sexual content, language, nudity, drug use and violence throughout. 

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Tags: action, Breakers, comedy, crime, R, Spring, spring breakers, thriller,