Category Archives: Movie Reviews

Horrible Bosses Review

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It is always refreshing to see a comedy in this age of comedy we live in that has laughs that aren’t solely based on sex or the word “fuck”. Horrible Bosses is a film that exemplifies that very idea. This is not to say the film exemplifies this idea perfectly because it most certainly doesn’t. Horrible Bosses was however very entertaining and made me laugh out loud through out.

When a film has such a fun premise and great actors playing very comedic characters, its hard to fail and this film doesn’t. The film follows three average joes whose bosses fit the build of “horrible”. When they can’t take it any longer the three friends device a plan in order to take care of the situation. Hilarity in ensues. And I’m being serious, the movie was rather hilarious. Some of the plot devices used were generic and almost too easy, but they get the characters from point A to point B and at the end of the day, its the comedy that matters and this was a well made comedy.

Of the employees, my favorite was by far Charlie Day’s character who was playing virtually the same character he plays on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, but what are you going to do, the character is funny and I laughed a lot. Jason Sudeikis definitely played his part making for some great moments. Bateman had his moments, but I’ve just never found him that funny to begin with. His delivery just doesn’t do it for me.

My favorite boss is a doozy. Kevin Spacey is with out a doubt the greatest actor working in this film, but this is a question of who was funnier. Even though Kevin Spacey was fabulous as the worst boss, but for me Jennifer Aniston was absolutely hilarious. You’ll find yourself dumb founded at times wondering to yourself if she actually just said that. It was completely out of character and I loved it. Colin Ferrell was also fun as the drugged up boss of Sudeikis, unfortunately he just didn’t get the chance to show anything off because he wasn’t in it as much.

There were some blatant flubs that you’d find resemble the kind you’d find in plenty of other namable comedies. There were a fair share of those laugh out loud moments that comedies aspire to have and there were some dull moments. So no Horrible Bosses wasn’t some kind of comedic gem, but it was a very funny movie that I would certainly laugh at again.

Grade: B

Kung Fu Panda 2 Review

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The animation studios at Dreamworks have created some films to be proud of whether they be the first two Shrek’s, How to Train Your Dragon and with Kung Fu Panda as another fun animation that I can say they indeed can be proud of, I can say sincerely that Kung Fu Panda 2 had the potential to be another enjoyable animated movie. And where it did have its flaws I will say without a doubt that I had decently fun time at the movies when I watched this one.

A large factor in my rushing out to see this movie was to see Gary Oldman at work. He’s one of my favorite actors and he’s always excellent as the villain. The same could be said about his voice acting in this piece. As for everyone else, I have no complaints, their job was done. The comedic timing was on, its just the writing that wasn’t. None of the wit that you might find in other fantastic Dreamworks movies was there, but it was a children’s movie so what are you going to do? It guess its only Pixar who can manage to please all audiences.

The strength of an animation are in its endless possibilities. This is the aspect that makes both Kung Fu Panda movies so fun. The fight scenes are downright awesome because they realize they can do anything and they do, they have no limitations here and both films use this idea to their full potential. The story and the way its told is just much better in the first film making for a few dull portions when it comes to this sequel.

It was a fun film, I’m glad I saw it if at the very least to see Gary Oldman’s character connive. I think my biggest problem with the film is in its ending. I obviously won’t ruin it, but I will just say that I found it extremely out of place and a failed attempt at trying to get you excited for a sequel. Kung Fu Panda 2 was an entertaining animated film, but not one I intend on getting entertained by again.

Grade: C+

Insidious Review

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5

Insidious is, to put it as simply as possible, a breath of fresh air. It’s a film that breaths life into a genre’s darkest hour. Insidious is proof that spectacular horror films can still be made today. It’s a true trip to a haunted house and leaves you with chills running down your spine long after. It’s a fascinating and horrific excursion into the dark abyss and I loved the ride. Insidious is a horror movie in every sense and other horror filmmakers should take note because they could learn a thing or two.

This is a film that’s reminiscent of the films that made showed the genre exactly how awesome it could be, films like The Exorcist and The Shining. It’s clever, yet simple and at the same time, contrary to some opinions, it feels extremely fresh in its execution, plot and form. Insidious is a film filled with the kinds of things that you’d imagine as a child and if they were real, would scare the living hell out of you as an adult. It seems almost childish and corny by it’s very nature, by due to the style and execution, it never fails to express maturity.

Insidious is a horror film created by people who know exactly what a horror movie should be. A horror movie’s job isn’t to see how many gallons of blood it can spill in grotesque ways. It’s job is to scare you and not just make you jump (yes a horror movie should do that and Insidious does that constantly), but also just make the very idea of being in the dark by yourself seem like an insane one. You never know who or what is lurking in the shadows. A horror movie scares you and your friends on a friday night because feeling fear is fun.

Insidious does its excels in its job with flying colors. Sure you could point out some corny parts, but even The Shining had a bear giving a butler a blowjob. You could look at any of your favorite movies and find some problems, but who cares?! The question isn’t, “what’s wrong with that movie?”. The question is, “Did you have a good time watching this movie?”. I for one had an awesome time watching Insidious.

Grade: A-

Scream 4 Review

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If you want to talk about surprises, Scream 4 is it. In no way, was I expecting anything remotely resembling a good movie from Scream 4. To my surprise I was very wrong. I won’t lie to you, I have not seen Scream 2 or Scream 3, but I do love the first Scream. I was just never that interested to go out of my way to see the sequels when I’ve heard nothing but bad comments on them. By happen stance though, I was bored and decided just for the hell of it, to get some friends and see the fourth Scream. I had a blast.

In order to get any enjoyment at all out of Scream 4, you have to except it for what it is. Like the first Scream, it is not a frightening film, it doesn’t go out of its way to literally attempt to scare or creep you out like The Shining or The Exorcist, it does offer cheap thrills that might make you jump, but no it is not a scary movie. It’s merely a, dare I say brilliant, commentary on the horror (more so sub-genre, slasher) genre in general.

Over the past years, we’ve gotten many horror movies and aside from a few worth mentioning most don’t even come close to what the genre use to be. This is a time period of remakes, sequels and films that try to make you throw up instead of jumping out of your skin. Scream 4 puts a mirror in the face of this generation of horror and says , look what you’ve done. Scream 4 did for this generation of horror films what the original Scream did for its generation of horror films. And since I grew up in this generation I might just have to say that Scream 4 was actually even more enjoyable.

With Scream 4, you’ve got a delightful batch of the same old characters (or should I say suspects) who you get to watch taken out one by one, while attempting, with your friends and a bucket of popcorn, to decipher the who and the why. It’s fun, it’s entertaining, it’s expected and that’s the point. Scream 4 is exactly the movie it should be, nothing more, nothing less. Is it a perfect movie? No. It is however a perfect Scream 4.

Grade: B+

Rango Review

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When it comes to animated films, I’m not usually one to rush out and buy a ticket unless of course its a Pixar movie. Rango however was not a Pixar movie, but it was a pretty darn good movie too say the least. My interest was peaked solely by a Johnny Depp performance and the direction of Pirates’ director, Gore Verbinski. That and let’s face it, there’s not much to see in theaters now, but with Rango, I was glad I did.

The plot was a fun one and not the kind you’d might expect from what looks to be a children’s film. A lonely lizard with troubles in finding who he truly is invents a character for himself and becomes the unlikely savior of a town in dire need of saving. While comical through, in turn the movie is whether intense and very mature for what it’s attempting to do. It was almost as if the filmmakers were confused themselves at who their target audience was. At times this made for a few awkward and weird moments. That would be one major complaint.

Aside from that, I had a lot of fun with this film. I loved the delivery by almost every actor, especially Johnny Depp and Bill Nighy. Ned Beatty fit right in with a role that practically mirrored the antagonist of Toy Story 3. The look and feel of the film were top-notch. The animation was absolutely breath-taking. From every scale and grain f sand, the job was done and done perfectly. You couldn’t look away.

The most fun I had with this film came from the very subtle references made to classic westerns. The most recognizable ones came from the brilliant “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”, but the most entertaining to me came from the plot in general that seemed to pay homage to themes of “the dying west” that you get a full dose of in “Once Upon a Time in the West”. Rango is a western in every sense and I very fun one, I’d suggest a view.

Grade: B

The King’s Speech Review

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To put it as simply as possible, The King’s Speech is an art house feel-good film that was directed well and performed to literal perfection. On paper, the story of The King’s Speech doesn’t sound that moving. The tale of King George VI, his speech impediment and the friendship he acquires through working with a highly peculiar speech therapist by the name of Lionel Logue. Put on the screen and what you get is nothing short of a fantastic movie.

The story is a fascinating one filled with fun moments and dramatic ones, but there are also times where its filled with bleak ones and in that way, the film becomes real and heart-warming and when times are good. Some may find the film slow, but its not an obnoxiously long film like some could be that center around a period like this. It tells exactly what needs to be told and tells it well. After watching, you’re not only happy because you just watched a good movie, you’re happy because of the outcome of the story.

The film deserves praise, as do the people who helped contribute to the making of it, but the real praise belongs to the performers. The only way a film like this could possibly work was if fantastic actors were performing in top form. That is exactly the case with King’s Speech. Just the supporting cast was fantastic. Helena Bonham Carter’s character wasn’t given much room to breath, but for what she was given she was breathtaking.

The real performances to note were the two main characters. Colin Firth as King George VI and Geoffrey Rush as Lionel Logue. Both were absolutely brilliant. In The King’s Speech, what you get is two entirely different characters performed flawlessly. I loved every aspect of both performances, I truthfully can’t say whose performance I found more moving. Sure the character Lionel Logue might be more entertaining, but on a performance level both actors were nothing short of spectacular and a truly perfect pair that complimented each other to no end.

The King’s Speech is just an example of a great film. It tells a story that is both deep and inspirational , while at the same time never failing to entertain. Substance like this could’ve easily fallen flat, but it never once lets up. That might be in part based on the fact that we are watching two amazing performers give some of the greatest performances of their careers. The King’s Speech is a film I highly recommend if you’re planning to get some enjoyment out of going to the theater.

Grade: A