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

The Fault in Our Stars is well-made but struck a nerve with me.

5.5 out of 10 

 

In his review of the film, Bill Goodykoontz of the Arizona Republic said, "If you don't cry or snort or at least tear up a little at some point during Josh Boone's film version of the popular young-adult novel by John Green, you're a pretty cold fish."

 

Well Mr. Goodykoontz, I suppose I am the coldest of fish.

 

Check out the trailer here:

And as I re-watch the trailer, I want to love this movie... but I simply do not. Believe me, there is nothing I love more than being emotionally destroyed by a movie but this one came nowhere close.

 

As far as movies go, this one is well made. The director clearly knew what he was doing and the way text messages and emails are incorporated into the movie is very cute. Acting wise, I have no major complaints. Both leads were great and did a solid job bringing the characters to life.

 

I did read the book. In fact, I binge read it in a 24 hour, insomnia ridden period. I walked into school the following day and voiced my discontent with the book. I had found myself getting very annoyed with the characters, but attributed that to my lack of sleep. But, by the end of the book, I felt nothing and I frankly felt like a jerk. I still had every intention of seeing the movie and hoped that actually seeing the story unfold would help bring the emotion to life. It did, in a very miniscule way. However, as soon as I walked out of the theater, I made eye contact with one of my friends, smiled, and said, "I hated it." She did too. I find something about this movie very off-putting, so much so that I considered getting up and walking out thrice.

 

Rotten Tomatoes, my movie review bible, gives this movie an 82% and calls it, "Wise, funny, and heartbreaking."

 

Let's start there!

 

Is it funny? Not really. It tries to lighten the mood but I didn't really laugh once. I was further frustrated when the theater was filled with giggles when characters stared at each other. I kid you not, every time the characters stared at each other for more than 2 seconds, the audience would giggle! Because I find the characters so unfunny, every joke they make seemed distasteful, which made me think the characters were mean, even though they clearly weren't trying to be. To the movie's credit, making jokes about dying of cancer as a teen is a difficult job. However, "cancer perks", certain perks kids with cancer receive, are not funny.

 

If its goal was to make teenage girls cry, it succeeded. The last half hour of the movie could barely be heard over the sea of sniffles and sobs that surrounded me. However, I wasn't heartbroken. I mean, I saw the tragedy coming a mile away.  We all did! When it finally comes, it's "whatever". One of my friends expertly stated something along the lines of, "The tragedy isn't in their love but rather the fact they are dying at such a young age." In that case, I suppose I understand a little more.

 

As for wisdom, it has more than most of the movies marketed at teenagers. The part I found most intriguing about this movie was the idea of family life continuing after losing a child to cancer. The idea of death is a heavy one to handle and this movie does a pretty good job with it. It doesn't really discuss anything particularly insightful but was thought-provoking, in that I caught myself starting off into space and thinking more than once. So while the movie doesn't really provide any great wisdom, it may make you think a little more than most movies.

 

One of my biggest problems was with the "ultra-dreamy" Augustus Waters, the leading man. One of my friends described him as "too perfect." Indeed. He walks around annoyingly and impossibly happy. He says ridiculous things like, "It would be a pleasure to have my heart broken by you, Hazel Grace." And don't even get me started on his cigarette metaphor. The one thing I like about him is his obsession with leaving his mark on the world. A concept that was glossed over, much to my despair.

 

Is it terrible? Absolutely not. Is it overhyped? Absolutely. If you think you'll enjoy it, I recommend you see it. You'll probably enjoy it! I just had some issues with the material itself. Don't judge me for that! Okay?

 

Okay.

 

The Fault in Our Stars is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some sexuality and brief strong language. 

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Tags: drama, comedy, PG-13, pg13, the fault in our stars, fault, stars, romance



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,

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is hilarious but often feels like it tries too hard.

7.5 out of 10

 

 

9 long years after the first, we are finally blessed with a sequel from the Channel 4 news team. This sequel finds Ron and Veronica married with a child and the news team disbanded. When Ron is fired from his job, he is offered a job at a 24-hour news station. The movie is a 2 hour nonsense trip. It is a joy to see the team and everyone is as funny as ever. Ron continues to blurt out racist and inappropriate nonsense and is as much a man-child as ever. Champ Kind is grossly underused and after his introduction, fades into the background. Brian Fontana is somewhat underused as well but he is still prevalent. Audience's wanted more Brick Tamland and they got it. Brick is around constantly and is always hilarious. He also has a romantic subplot with Kristen Wigg which is perfect.

 

Yes, Anchorman 2 is hilarious but immediately it felt like it was trying too hard. It takes the ridiculousness to a whole new level. The things that come out of the character's mouths are outlandish and silly but still manage to be hilarious. The sequel was not nearly as quotable as the first but still succeeds. Many of the jokes from the first movie are reused but they are still entertaining. However, in its conclusion, the movie becomes utterly ridiculous. Can someone explain to me why the ghost of Stonewall Jackson and the Minotaur are running around New York? Explosions and werewolves run amok and the movie begins to feel completely crazy. Is it worth watching? Absolutely! Just know what you are signing up for. Overall, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is very funny despite its flaws.

 

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, drug use, language and comic violence.

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tags: comedy, anchorman, anchorman 2, anchorman: the legend continues, anchorman 2: the legend continues, anchorman 2 the legend continues, anchorman the legend continues, PG-13, pg13,

 

Glee starts strong but soon becomes awful.

5 out of 10

 

 

When the pilot of Glee came on as a "sneak preview", I was unconvinced. It was about a high school Spanish teacher who wants to reboot the school's glee club. He assembles a diverse group of singers to compete in show choir competitions and together they overcome many obstacles from bullying to the evil cheerleading coach. Basically, it is a teenage soap opera with music. When I sat down to watch the second episode, I was hooked. I am unsure what about the second episode I found so attractive but it was good. From then on, one night a week, everyone had to take a vow of silence because Glee was on. It soon became a family affair and I was lost in the bliss of Glee.

The first and second seasons were awesome! The show was edgy, but still not over the top. Characters were interesting and Sue, the evil cheerleading coach, was hilarious and a joy to watch. The plotlines were twisty and follow the teens as they jump from one romantic partner to the other. The cast of characters is extremely diverse and had a "feel good" message. However, the greatest aspect of Glee was the music. Glee took new actors and made them superstars, expertly showcasing their talents. The musical numbers were very well done, featuring a wide variety of songs. Glee was great... until it wasn't.

 

Until season 3, I had never missed an episode of Glee. However, somewhere in the middle of season 3, I lost interest. What was once fresh and edgy was now dull and tired. The show focused too much on stupid romantic interests and the result was disappointing. I occasionally tuned in to an episode but never really liked it. Everyone just felt annoying. Glee is now a prime example of a show that refuses to give up even though it is time. It no longer feels genuine and is frankly a waste of time. Last week a Glee clip caught my eye on Youtube. Turns out it was a performance of "What Does the Fox Say?" done by the cast also holding puppets. It saddens me that Glee has fallen to such a level. Overall, Glee starts out fresh and engaging but fails in its later seasons.

 

Glee is rated TV-14

 

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Tags:comedy, drama, musical, FOX, tv, television, tv14, TV-14, Glee

 

Skins (U.K) starts out edgy and addictive but becomes dark, weird, and semi-ridiculous.

7 out of 10

 

 

Note that this review applies to the U.K version. There is an American version of Skins, it's just terrible. Because the show is from England, it is uncensored. Skins follows a group of British teenagers as they navigate life and find strength in their friendships. Each episode centers on a different character but everyone's lives are largely intertwined.

 

When I began the first season, I was immediately hooked. It all felt so fresh and new. Perhaps it was the fact that everyone had an accent but it was a whole new experience for me. The show expertly deals with heavy and relevant issues among teens such as eating disorders, drug addiction, depression, and so much more. It would seem like the show would be a downer but it isn't! Instead, it mixes complex topics with humor. It should be noted that this show is largely aimed at teens due to the fact that the characters themselves are teens and behave in extremely questionable ways. The whole first season was fantastic. The show was funny yet dramatic (at times) and never failed to entertain.

 

Season 2 centers around the same characters but is a somewhat different. The show is considerably darker. For example, one episode centers on a stalker who stalks one of the regular characters. Throughout the season, she does some pretty crazy (and disturbing) stuff. The show is less humorous, instead opting for a more dramatic script. It succeeds in being heart-wrenching but sometimes takes it too far and becomes downright depressing. That is not to say it isn't enjoyable. The more dramatic side of the show was a great and refreshing aspect to add. The end of season 2 is particularly interesting and left with a cliffhanger. I often found myself marveling at the honesty of the show and found it incredibly enjoyable. After season 2, the show says goodbye to the characters and picks up a new cast in season 3 (every 2 seasons there is a new cast).

 

Season 3 has an all new cast and is (once again) different from its previous season. The show once more opts for a more humorous side and the result is somewhat off-putting. Where the show was once clever, it is now crass. One of the new characters, Cook, is a disgusting human being and made the show uncomfortable. Aside from him, the other characters are still good. The story is still occasionally heart-wrenching and beautiful but is sometimes ridiculous (putting Ecstasy in brownies and feeding them to a mother? Come on). The result (sometimes) feels more like a sitcom than the raw and honest show it once was. It is still fun... enough to make me sit for a 4th season.

 

Season 4 was the darkest and craziest yet. The show now feels entirely different but remains engrossing. The season starts out with a suicide which sets it up for the dark product it was. Some parts were good and enjoyable but towards the end, things get strange. It almost felt like the show's writers were sitting in a room thinking of ways to throw "curveballs to viewers". The show feels a little ridiculous but I tolerated it. After all, how much worse could it get. The answer was a lot worse. The season 4 conclusion was appalling. It completely shocked me, in a very bad way. After it was over, I immediately swore off Skins. I also began to notice a pattern that the show follows every 2 seasons. Season 4 was less than perfect.

 

After season 4, Skins was no longer released in the US (apparently they have different DVD players in England) but all 7 seasons are available on Netflix. I plan to continue watching the show and will add to this review once I finish watching. Overall, Skins is an addicting show but is inconsistent.

 

Skins is rated TV-MA

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Tags: comedy, drama, skins, TV-MA, tvma, TV, television



Awkward manages to entertain despite inconsistency

7.5 out of 10

 

 

 

Awkward is a scripted show on MTV centering on a girl named Jenna. One summer, she begins a causal relationship with the school hottie, Matty McKibben. She returns home to find a letter addressed to her. Inside is a list of reasons why Jenna sucks signed by "A friend." A freak accident follows that looks a lot like a suicide attempt and changes her from "invisible girl" to "that girl".

 

 Season one follows Jenna and her friends as they begin a climb up the social ladder and as she struggles to maintain the attention of Matty, all the while trying to find out who wrote her the letter. The result is utterly engrossing. Sure, it is stupid but it is also raw, honest and often funny. The show itself is utterly ridiculous as illustrated by fast talking and word-inventing Tamara and the completely inappropriate guidance counselor, Ms. Marks. Plenty of other character are interesting such as Jenna's parents and school bully, Sadie Saxton. Jenna is a character I could really root for as she generally had the best of intentions and was a victim of circumstance. All the actors and actresses are fantastic all the way through. They are funny and generally authentic. The mystery of the letter also adds a unique dynamic to the show. A sort of whodunit part left me wanting more and contributed to a successful first season.

 

With the drama of season 1 behind her and the mystery of the letter solved, season 2 find Jenna back but changed. She is now considered popular and has a new set of problems. Jenna is considerably more annoying, always complaining about her life. She often fights for the man she wants, changes her mind, changes it again... so on and so forth. Jenna, who was once the adorable underdog, now comes off as a floozy. I frequently found myself screaming at the TV, "PICK A MAN JENNA! STOP MAKING OUT WITH EVERYONE AND PICK A MAN!" And so I came to regard season 2 as the show's darker days, as it was ultimately less inspired. Let me be clear, the show still has some redeeming qualities, such as humorous scenes and a memorable heart wrenching moment, but mostly just feels like a cheesy teen soap.

 

Season 3 part 1 finds Jenna finally settled on a man... until she meets a new one. And just like that, all certainty goes out the window. Immediately, it veers into some darker territory by killing off one of the supporting characters. The characters then begin to try to piece together the death and determine the cause all throughout the first part of the season. This seems to be an attempt to recapture the "mystery" aspect of the show but ultimately fails. The show seemed more humorous than its previous season but still managed to frustrate. Jenna's promiscuous nature was really getting on my nerves and I wasn't sure if I could handle the inconsistency any longer.

 

When season 3 part 2 came around, I was skeptical. I sat down and once again found myself pulled in. It is a completely different product than the first season but still manages to be entertaining. Jenna is still confused about what she wants and in this season makes some terrible choices, which was an utter joy to watch. For once, she finally seems sorry for her infidelity and shares a lot of teary-eyed, heart-wrenching moments. The show finally is able to balance its humor with emotion and never feels sappy. Dialogue is poignant and affecting. I once again felt satisfied when the credits rolled and find it a joy to finally see scraps of a deeper, emotional component of this show. I am certainly glad I stuck with the show because this season is what I was waiting for. Awkward is almost done airing its 3rd season. Overall, Awkward is fun but very inconsistent.

 

Awkward is rated TV-14

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Tags: MTV, comedy, drama, television, tv, TV-14, tv14, awkward, awkward.,

Friends is a television rarity that is utterly hilarious.

9.5 out of 10

 

How many sitcoms are about attractive young adults living in NYC? Countless. How many times do you see those young adults complain about lack of money while living in an impossibly large apartment? Too many. Well, Friends is one of those shows, but there is something more that makes this show such a success. The show follows a group of six friends that navigate life as adults in NYC. Such a loose and simple premise allows for plenty of freedom when it comes to keeping the show fresh.

 What allows the show to be so impressive is the characters and the actors that played them. Ross is an awkward science nerd that works in a museum. He begins to develop a crush on the newcomer Rachel. Rachel is a spoiled "daddy's girl" who has decided to live independent from her father. She is attractive (played by Jennifer Aniston) and naïve and relies on her new friends to navigate the concrete jungle. Monica is Ross' sister and is loud, crazy, and very OCD. She is a chef that is obsessed with cleaning and is always searching for "true love" and her future. Chandler is the "funny guy" of the group, always using humor as a way of defense. Joey is an aspiring actor. He loves to eat and is not the sharpest tool in the shed. Lastly, there is Phoebe (my personal favorite). She is a fan of the alternative lifestyle. Extremely spacy and always hilarious, she manages to be a hilarious addition to the show. Together, the Friends create a fantastic dynamic that is an utter joy to watch.

Another thing that need be noted is the writing. It takes great finesse to create 10 seasons of a show that never feels stale. Every new episode brings new surprises and adventures. The quick and clever dialogue is immensely satisfying. In its earlier seasons, Friends seems to opt for a more sentimental feeling. Every episode has heartfelt moments followed by laughs to break the tension. The show seems to cut out the heartfelt portion rather quickly which I see as a very good move. In the show's later seasons, the show becomes all about the laughs and the plotlines take a back seat. Instead of an overarching plotline, each episode functions almost entirely independent of the others which allows for a less affecting but goofier experience.

 The show ran for 10 seasons, all of which were spectacular. Overall, Friends is a TV gem absolutely worth watching.

 

Friends is rated TV-14

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 Tags: Comedy, TV, TV-14, tv14, friends, recommended,

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, 

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,

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

Stranger than Fiction is charming and unique.

8.75 out of 10

 

Stranger than Fiction is unlike anything I have ever seen and is remarkable. It centers around a mundane tax collector named Harold Crick (Will Ferrell). His life is calculated down to a science. One day, he hears a voice narrating his life. Convinced he is not crazy, he sets out to find answers. He finds that he is a character in a book but the question then becomes, "Am I in a comedy or a tragedy?" Clearly, it is a strange movie. However, it works well. The movie finds Will Ferrell in a very interesting role (he isn't a man-child!). The rest of the cast is amazing as well. I struggle to figured out if the movie was a comedy. I decided it was not. In fact, it is genuinely heartbreaking at times. I was very impressed with how the movie was able to handle heavy themes while still creating a lighthearted atmosphere. Overall, Stranger than Fiction is a original and amazing movie absolutely worth seeing.

 

 

Stranger than Fiction is rated PG-13 for some disturbing images, sexuality, brief language and nudity

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Tags: stranger than fiction, comedy, drama, recommended, PG-13, pg13

Weeds is fun but its plotlines get repetitive in its middle seasons.

8.25 out of 10

 

Weeds is brimming with colorful and interesting characters and some very interesting plot twists. There is no way around it, Weeds is a highly addictive series. Well, at least it starts out that way. Nancy Botwin is your average soccer mom from California. Recently widowed, she is forced to start selling weed to maintain her lifestyle and support her family. The show follows her struggle to balance work and family as well as manage the dangers of being a drug dealer. Nancy turns out to be the  ultimate badass. Mary Louise Parker is absolutely hilarious and does an excellent job with the character. Her supporting characters are what really make the show shine. Each character has their own personality that makes them likeable in their own way. Weeds has an excellent first 3 seasons. In fact, I watched the first 3 seasons in 1 week (season 2 and 3 on one weekend). Weeds first 3 seasons were edgy and fun. They had raunchy humor but also a lot of emotion which made it very easy to feel attached to the characters. In season 4, the show seems to become less inspired. After some major changes at the end of the 3rd season, it almost feels like an entirely different show. Season 4 is by no means bad, just different. Season 5 is similar but season 6 caused me issues. It felt less anchored. Again, it is not bad, just not nearly as good as the first 3 seasons. Season 7 is able to stabilize the show and bring is to a satisfying (albeit strange) conclusion in its 8th season. Weeds is the perfect show to binge watch and its easy accessibility on Instant Netflix make it that much more enticing. Overall, Weeds is a highly addictive show definitely worth watching.

 

 

Weeds is rated TV-MA

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Tags: Weeds, TV, television, comedy, drama, tvma, TV-MA, recommended

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 Newsroom is a fresh and inspiring look at what TV should be.

9.25 out of 10

 

 

HBO's The Newsroom is a stunning look inside journalism and the news today. It features wonderful and stinging social commentary. Will McAvoy is a famous news anchor on the fictional news network ACN. He follows the status quo until Mackenzie McHale appears and shakes up his world. From that moment, the ACN newsroom covers real life news with a very interesting and honest twist. It is filled with colorful characters (Sloan Sabbath is particularly interesting) and a fair share of relationship drama (just the right amount). Inspiring and well written, The Newsroom had me cheering for more. It's second season was more focused in its narrative and was just as wonderful as the first season. A third season has been confirmed and I anxiously await its release. Overall, The Newsroom is a wonderful (and very mild by HBO standard) show and is worth checking out.

 

The Newsroom is rated TV-MA

 

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Tags: comedy, drama, HBO, news, newsroom, recommended, television, the newsroom, tv, TV-MA, tvma

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

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,