The Hunger Games

Katniss Everdeen who lives in District 12 decided to become a tribute to her younger sister who was chosen to be in "The Hunger Games" to compete against 24 others for one winner. Along the way she realizes that the other guy chosen from District 12 secretly had a crush on her. Along the way of the game, they decided to change the rules, create animal hybrid things to chase after them, and have a chose at the end, either have 1 winner, or have both kill each other and have no winner.

Movie was surprisingly good, I hesitated greatly before seeing this film, as the film bares strong resemblance to "Battle Royale" just different setting and story, but overall it's similar.

The acting was done pretty good, with actors who definitely pulled off the character they portrayed. Actors include, Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, ect.. I was just surprised at who and how many good actors there were in this film.

Soundtrack was also good, bringing nice dark/hurry up feel to the movie. Story was also pretty good, kids from the district submit there name for food but also means they have a higher chance at being the in the Hunger Games. I did like how unique it was, but I just couldn't stop comparing it to "Battle Royale" which also had teenagers, even younger than this film, competing in a death match till there's only one winner. Battle Royale did come out 10 years prior to Hunger Games, which makes it the first of it's kind, and I just think that writer of Hunger Games did know about it, just said, she didn't.

But, in the end it is just a good film, and I did read some of the book (not all) and will finish the book sometime to really compare book to film, and book to other Battle Royale.

I give, Hunger Games, 7/10

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Alter Egos

After the government cut off funding for Superheroes, the Superheroes have been kind of outcasts of the city. "Fridge" starts to have a midlife crisis when he discovers his girlfriend is having an affair, with his alter ego. "C-Thru" Fridge's friend, plans on setting him up as the villain so that the government will have reason to further fund the Superheros. Fridge's love life keeps getting more complicated when he confronts his girlfriend with a new girl he met, while being his alter ego.

Yes, the plot was that short. Total run time was only around 80 minutes, so it was kind of sped up.

I did like that this was an independent film, I'm starting to like more and more "indie" films lately, and with it being "Superhero" themed, catch'd my attention.

There was only the 2 main heroes, with 1 villain, with a handful of others only being shown on TV shows/clips. Was very small compared to some other ones.

Yet, I did like the story of it, most of it was bland and very quiet and only took place in 1 day. And if it wasn't for the story, I would of logged of netflix and went to sleep. The acting was so-so (to me) the only good actor to really stick out was John Ventimiglia who played "Shrink" the main villain in the film. The others were good, "C-Thru" I've seen in a few other films in the past, but with the others, were all novices to me. 

I give, Alter Egos; _6/10_

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Skyfall

007 is back, and better than ever!

After being on pursuit of a mercenary, Patrice, James Bond and Eve try to capture him before he escapes after stealing a hard drive that holds information of undercover agents. Patrice shoots James, but only in the shoulder, they begin to fight on top of a train, where Eve has a near perfect sniper shot of Patrice, but the two continue to fight and Eve shoots Bond instead and Patrice escapes. Assumed dead, Bond returns after a new threat surfaces that is trying to take down MI6. Bond goes back into training to see if he's able to go into field work. Not long after M clears him and Bond goes to Shanghai to capture Patrice. Again Bond fails to capture him, but then gets a new lead into the new villain, Silva. Bond tracks Silva to an abandoned island on the coast of Macau, Bond get's captured and shown who Silva is, Silva doesn't kill Bond but just want's to show Bond what it's like being on the other side. Soon Bond escapes and goes back to the underground MI6 base where they have Silva locked up. Just hours later Silva escapes the hold as Q was hacking Silva's laptop, it let Silva into the network of MI6 and led to his escape. Bond quickly went on pursuit of Silva, M and Bond decided instead of chasing Silva, let Silva come to us. Bond and M go to Bond's old house when he was a child, and rigged it for a battle between Bond and Silva.

For once I said a lot about the plot, because well, there was a lot to say. Since 2008 I was eagerly awaiting the new Bond film whenever it would be coming out, I had no idea that it would take 4 years, but it was 4 years well waited for. Skyfall is by far the most epic bond film I've seen since Casino Royale (Can't say much on the older ones as I would have to see them again).

Acting was just fantastic, was very happy that Bond and M did come back to reprise there role, and with the addition of Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, and Ben Whishaw this was a very perfect cast!

I very much loved, Javier Bardem's role as Silva. He made for one of the most ultimate badass villains. He was a very unique character and would of loved to see his past rather than just hearing it, but none the less, very awesome.

Soundtrack was also another good thing. The intro song "Skyfall"  by Adele was just amazing, and my favorite intro to a Bond film since Casino Royale. Also the music throughout the film was very epic as well, ending the film with the classic Bond theme.

I did hear that Daniel Craig was offered a contract for 5 more Bond films after Skyfall, but I don't think he signed the contract, and only is signed up for just 2 more, yet it's still early and who knows, maybe he did sign it.

I give, Skyfall _-9/10-_

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The Weather Man

Dave Spritzel is the local weatherman, trying to be in the big leagues on Hello America. While trying to be weatherman on it, his life starts falling apart, he soon learns that his father, Robert Spritzel has lymphoma and only months to live. Dave tries to reconnect to his daughter, Shelly, though every attempt seems to fail. While in New York he learns that his son was "stealing his counselors wallet" or a possibly victim of child rape. Dave starts getting more and more depressed as the weeks go on, so he takes up Archery, and finally starts to build up confidence and more well being. Yet every now and then he still get's thrown food at while just walking on the street. Dave attempts to reconnect with his wife and win her back, but fails. After he wow's Hello America, he leaves his town and moves to New York to live out the rest of his life.










I thought this film was just great. Has a great storyline, with pretty good actor's, and enough plot twist's that kept me entertained.

I did like how nothing was rushed in the film, they took there time in building up the story, and leave it on a very good ending. Most the film was dark, with some comedy mixed with it. Yet it worked very good as a comedy/drama, mostly drama.

I give, The Weather Man, _7/10_

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Looper

In 2074 time travel is possible, but soon after it's discovery it's quickly outlawed and only criminals use it to send back people to the past only to get killed by "Loopers". Loopers kill the people who come back to the past with bars of silver strapped to there back as payment for the Looper. When Joe is on a job when he encounters his older self from 50 years in the future, his future self quickly disarms and flee's in past self in search of Rainmaker, a very powerful person sent  to the past from the future to take over area's. Future Joe travels back 50 years to track down the Rainmaker and kill him before he grows up. Younger Joe is on the hunt of Future self in trying to kill is Future self.


Yes the plot was shortened as a lot of stuff happened within the 2 hour film that I didn't want to spoil for everyone.


This film was just down right amazing, I'm not that big of a fan of Bruce Willis but him in this film was perfect to get him in better movies. I must say this was the best science fiction movie I've seen in a very, very long time. For once it's rated R and not a rushed tween movie that is full of BS.


The acting was just great from all the actors, I especially loved the story, was a very solid and perfect story to fulfill my science fiction needs. Joseph Gordon-Levitt was just amazing in the film, he really pulled off a younger version of Bruce Willis, there just couldn't of been a better actor for the lead. Also good actors were Emily Blunt who played the mother of Cid, though her role was minor, she still pulled of a great job. Jeff Daniels also did a very good job at being the boss type roll.

The effects were surprisingly great, towards the end they really show off there CGI skills and I was totally impressed. Soundtrack also wasn't all that bad, giving a sci-fi kinda sound throughout the whole film, wasn't bad.

If you need a worthy science fiction film to see, then I absolutely recommend that everyone see this film.

I give, Looper, 8/10

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The Dark Knight

Finally I review of, The Dark Knight is here, with the 3rd film review coming this weekend. I only waited to review this film cause I wanted to wait till it was more closer to the release of the final Batman film. So here my review of..

After establishing himself as, The Dark Knight. Gotham criminals now fear him, except for when a new villain comes to town. The Joker seeks out Mob Boss, Maroni to rip off and take half of there money by getting them to do his dirty work. Meanwhile Harvey Dent is working his way to the top by putting away hundreds of mobsters/criminals. When Lt. Gordon tips off Batman of a new enemy Batman goes around getting clues and trying to find out The Jokers end game. When Harvey Dent digs to deep and puts away all the mobsters he and Rachel Dawes end up getting kidnapped and tied up with a bomb about to go off, Batman must know choose which one to save, willing that Joker is telling the truth. Once The Joker is set free, Batman must use all his will to hunt down and try and defeat The Joker before, two boats that The Joker rigged to explode, he must stop Joker and the boats before more blood is spilled. All while trying to stop a new enemy that he didn't see coming.



This is by far, the best Batman film....ever! Everything about this film was just amazing, even though there was one part I didn't like so much, if you can over look that one little part, it's an amazing film.

The story was just the best. Kept leaving you wonder what the Joker will end up doing. Heath Ledger played the Joker just amazing. I even loved his performance better than Jack Nicholson's, and that says a ton, as I loved watching him in the late 80's Batman film, then this came along, and wiped out the past. The one little thing I didn't like so much like was that, Katie Holmes did not return to reprise her role, which would of made the film better, but instead they brought on Maggie Gyllenhaal, which don't get me wrong, she's a good actress, I just didn't think she was suited for the role of, Rachel Dawes.

Soundtrack was also very good, so good in-fact that the day after seeing the film in theaters, I bought the soundtrack. I loved the grim tune they played which lets you know that the Joker is around. Most the other songs were very similar to before from, Batman Begins, but still very good music.

I ended up seeing this twice in theaters, and just loved it, had a great time and was almost impatiently awaiting the final installment.

I give, The Dark Knight, 9/10

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Messages Deleted

Joel Brandt is a college teacher who teaches Advanced Screen Writing, he is also a screen writer himself. One day after he gets home from work he gets a message on his answering machine, a guy is yelling for help saying this guy is going to kill him, Joel thinks it's a prank call and deletes it. A day later the person who called, was found dead near Joel. Days go on and he keeps getting more messages about people saying he needs to get there before that person dies. Joel tries to piece together who is setting this up and why. After the police get involved, they start to think it's Joel himself doing it. Later on Joel discovers an old screen play he wrote and finds out the killer is bringing to life his screen play, he just now needs to figure out who before it's to late.




I heard about this film a couple years ago and thought it would make for an interesting watch, only problem was, you can't buy this film anywhere in the US, as it's not out yet, only in the UK, only way I watched it was Showtime on Demand, they just happen to have it, so I was happy!

The acting was fair, was nothing amazing, but it wasn't anything to laugh at. I especially loved the story of the film, kept me glued to my chair. All the twists and turns kept me guessing (and failing) to discover who the actual killer was, and the ending, was just great.

I did also like the actors in the film, although I only recognized two or three actors, not that bad since the others did there part good. Again, the story was just so good.

I give, Messages Deleted. _7/10_

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Ted

When John Bennett makes a wish after seeing a shooting star, he wish's that his teddy bear "Ted" was real, as his teddy bear was his only friend. The morning after he realizes that Ted was alive, moving and talking. Although John was at first scared, he soon had nothing but love for, Ted. Soon after Ted became alive, the whole world found about it, soon Ted was on various talk shows, many interviews, etc.. Now John is in his mid 30's and still living and getting high with Ted. While Ted still lives with John, John tries to have a relationship with his girlfriend, but she thinks Ted is making the relationship hard and, John ask's him to move out. Ted finds a job and an apartment and is living on his own. Afterwards John and Ted while at a park, encounter a strange man and his son, asking if Ted is for sale, they decline. But as the days go on, Ted sees the strange man again at his home, and he gets kidnapped, and given to his son. A short time later John finds out, and is on the hunt to save Ted and save him from the strange man.




Must say, I was slightly hesitant to see this film, as I figured all the jokes would be a reuse of what we already have seen in, Family Guy and American Dad. While most the jokes were about the same, just different verbiage, they still were fresh and new, making it for a pretty good comedy.

The acting was pretty good, watching Mark Wahlberg talking to a teddy bear and getting high with him was pretty funny. A good chunk of the actors in the film were all Family Guy stars, not such a surprise. They all did a good job, but it would of been nice to see more than just Family Guy actors.

I did enjoy the story-line a lot, giving the film a nice sci-fi part and a nice suspense at the end of the film, and of course a sad scene as well, but it all worked. Seth MacFarlane can do a pretty good comedy, but I think if he writes/produces/directs/stars in another live action film, he should not do the voice, as he only has around 4 different voices, and Ted, sounded way...WAY to much like Peter Griffen, and he even did the voice's of Brian and Stewie, both from Family Guy, I wanted something new, in that sense I was disappointed. This was basically a live action version of Family Guy, where the people have different parts, and "Ted" from Family Guy is grown up. 

I give, Ted. 6/10

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The Librarian: Quest for the Spear

Flynn Carsen has been a student for nearly 20 years, earning 22 academic degrees. After his professor kicks him out of college, Flynn must now look for work, he lands a job as a Librarian at Metropolitan Public Library. After he's chosen to be not just any librarian, but the librarian, he learns that he must track down The Spear of Destiny, the holder of the Spear will be the most powerful person on the world. Flynn meets up with Nicole Noone who protects the Librarian at all costs. The two find out that the Serpent Brotherhood is also after the Spear. The Brotherhood finds Flynn and forces Flynn to help them find the Spear, along the journey Flynn and Nicole must find a way to get the Spear, and return it to the Library before the Serpent Brotherhood get it, and kill them.


This was a very fun film to watch, even though it was a TNT TV film, it was still good.

The acting was pretty good, even the effects were pretty good (now of course out dated, but good). The story is what kept my interest, as all the artifacts they showed in the library were real mythology artifacts, most do or may exist. The actors in the film all did good at playing there role, Noah Wyle (to me) did the best job of all of them, as he had the title role, he played the role good.

I did see this film only around once or twice since it aired on TV in 2005, just a few weeks ago I bought the DVD online. Finding this film, was a journey all on it's own. For some reason this film, is extremely hard, if your lucky, you'll find it for a decent price, if your lucky. I just happen to find it for 15bucks through EBAY, the others I found on amazon were selling for 30-100 bucks, for just the one dvd, and they never made a NTSC box set of all three films, I had to buy all three films separate, though films 2 and 3 were cake finding, just the one film was hard to find.

I give, The Librarian Quest for the Spear, 7/10

Buy (If you can find it)

Rent

Pass

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Men in Black 3

I did see this film last month, on my B-day even, I just completely forgot to review it, so if memory serves me, here's my review of...

Agent J and Agent K investigate a UFO crash in New York, after eating pie K may know who it is, and regrets not killing the alien that escaped from a prison that's on the Moon. The next day, something weird happens to Agent J, where he's craving chocolate milk, extreme headache's, after going in to work, he starts to wonder where Agent K is, not a single person has a clue, he soon finds out that K as been dead for the last 40 years. Agent J thinks it's a joke, but then figures out the alien used time warp, so Agent J finds a merchant that sells a Time Warp device, after falling around 1,000 stories, Agent J time warps himself to the year 1969 in order to stop the alien (Boris) from killed Agent K. Upon arriving he meets a much younger Agent K, and nearly wipes out Agent J's memory, only for the two to work together, and hunt down Boris and kill him before he kills Agent K, again.


For a third entry in a series that I loved watching, it sure took them long enough to make a third entry, but the wait was sure worth it.

The newest installment in the Men in Black series was just amazing. The acting was just great and the actors, did a great job. The effects were very good, now able to see much upgraded aliens, rather than puppets, though I think they used a cross between mechanical puppets and CGI.

The story was done very good, using time warp was a great idea for this series. Was happy that both Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones came back to reprise there role, and the addition of Josh Brolin as young Agent K, was the best part, he looked incredibly like Jones, just much younger. The actor who played Boris, Jemaine Clement did a great job at playing the lead alien villain.

I did happen to see this film in 3-D, yes I'm starting to see more films in 3-D, it took 2 years for me to see another film in 3-D since I saw Avatar. The 3-D was done so good, it looked as if I was watching a live action video game, especially towards the more CGI scenes.

I give, Men in Black 3, 7/10

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