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

Godzilla (2014) is a visually stunning and thrilling disaster movie.

8 out of 10

 

I wanted to hate it... I wanted to claim it was an empty remake... It was just too good.

 

We all know the story, Tokyo's least favorite radioactive lizard is back for another go at destroying cities. See the trailer here:

As far as the story goes, it was nothing special but it does what it needs to. It certainly takes its time, building characters and explaining past events that lead up to the film. As I'm sure you heard, Godzilla doesn't make many appearances, the movie is largely lizard free but it isn't a negative. If someone were to complain that you don't see the shark enough in Jaws you would call them ignorant. Same deal here. By not showing Godzilla, it builds anticipation rather than just throwing visual effects at you like a Transformers movie. But when the visual effects are there, they are beyond stunning. The carnage is incredible and really should be enjoyed on the big screen. We finally have the technology to make Godzilla an awe inspiring and terrifying creature. Note: the tone is this movie is unlike that of previous films. This is nothing like its campy and fun predecessors. Very few jokes will be made:

 

 A feeling of doom and terror hangs in the air from the moment the opening credits begin. The score is amazing and certainly helps in setting the tone. Make no mistake, this movie is no joke. The destruction is real and Godzilla's roar is blood curdling. It's awesome.

 

The performances were... fine. Let's be honest, do you really care? I was impressed, the humans were good, but the giant monsters steal the screen. Humans are boring.

 

Overall, this movie is an awe inspiring creature feature with some killer special effects and perfectly adequate everything else. Enjoy it on the big screen.

 

Godzilla is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of destruction, mayhem and creature violence. 

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Tags: Godzilla, action, PG-13, pg13, recommended,



The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is entertaining despite flaws.

7 out of 10

 

 

See the sequel to the reboot series nobody really needed! We find Spiderman back with Gwen Stacy, his true love... and his on and off girlfriend. Join them on a journey that shows that despite superpowers, Gwen and Peter are just manic depressive teens that cannot stay together for 20 minutes. All joking aside, Peter is back with Gwen but he is haunted by the events of the previous film. Peter has to learn to balance the life of Spiderman and Peter while new villains arise and pose dire threats to the public.

 

Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone return as Peter and Gwen, the star crossed teenage lovers. May I just say, they are absolutely fantastic. As a real life couple, their chemistry translates seamlessly to screen. Seeing these two love birds canoodling cannot help but bring a smile to your face. Andrew Garfield succeeds as Spiderman. Even better than Tobey Maguire! Sorry Tobey...

Jamie Foxx plays Max Dillon/Electro, a mentally disturbed man put on the screen to be laughed at and ridiculed by impossibly mean people. His coworkers bully him like nothing I have ever seen. I am cynical but I refuse to believe grown men and women behave like that. Max Dillon starts out as a joke, obsessed with Spiderman and clearly mentally ill. When a horrible accident occurs, he is transformed into some electric entity? I'm not really sure. The whole thing is kind of glossed over... but it's a superhero movie so it's okay! Call me crazy but I found him unremarkable and underdeveloped. His actions are rash and unexplained. The Green Goblin was better, menacing at least, and I understood his motive which was good... I just wished he didn't come in so late.

 

I must say, I didn't expect the movie to be so witty. Numerous one liners. Not only is Peter Parker good looking, smart, and a hero... he has quite a sense of humor as well. I was kind of annoyed with the pacing. By the movie's end, I felt that not much had happened. By the time the villains had gotten their act together, the movie was basically over. I found myself wishing for more... which is good... but I was left somewhat unsatisfied.

 

Visually, the movie is absolutely stunning. Special effects are here and they look beyond amazing. The action sequences are fully engaging and I felt like a kid in a candy shop, completely in awe. It did have a "comic book feel" unlike the Dark Knight which opted for a more "realistic" interpretation. It must say, it is a lot of fun.

 

By no means is the movie bad, it succeeds in many ways. I enjoyed myself and any Spiderman fan will be thrilled. It is hard to not have fun during this movie, just don't expect anything too deep. It's a fun summer blockbuster. I am just so thankful it didn't include any dance scenes... unlike some previous Spiderman movies...

Overall, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is a summer blockbuster arguably lacking substance, but what it lacks in substance it makes up for in visual splendor.

 

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action/violence.

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Tags:spiderman, amazing spider man, amazing spider man 2, spiderman 2, action, PG-13, pg13,



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. 

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Tags: action, recommended, the hunger games, the hunger games: catching fire, the hunger games catching fire, catching fire, PG-13, pg13,

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

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

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Tags: Game of Thrones, Throne, Thrones, Game, HBO, TV, television, drama, action, fantasy, tvma, TV-MA, recommended, 

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

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,