Yipee-Ki-Yay?

Hello again dear readers! As you may remember from my first post, I had the privilege of attending a Die Hard Marathon in celebration of the franchises most recent release: It's a Good Day to Die Hard. That's right kiddos, all FIVE Die Hard films in one day! It was glorious!

In addition to seeing the latest John McClane movie, I also had a chance to check out the new animated film Escape from Planet Earth and Beautiful Creatures.

Now this is a difficult review for me as I want to say nothing but wonderful things about the movies I see, but sometimes it just isn't possible. While I liked all three movies, I can't say they changed my world in anyway.

Let's just get this one out of the way:

I want to love this movie. I want desperately to tell you I love this movie. But I can't, I simply in good conscious, can't do it. Now I don't know if it has to do with the fact that I watched all four Die Hard films right before this latest one, but I left the marathon feeling really let down. It just wasn't a Die Hard film.

Don't get me wrong, Bruce Willis was amazing as always. But he wasn't the John McClane we all know and love. Firstly, this was the first Die Hard film to take place in a different country and while it shouldn't really make a difference, for some reason, it just bothered me right from the beginning. Secondly, this is the first time McClane had a sidekick that actually kicked ass. In all of the other film he had help but it was always from unsuspecting supporting actors whose characters were thrown into the chaos against their will. None of them ever picked up a gun and actually ran towards the danger. Bruce is there to rescue them, not stand back to back with them, killing bad guys. Let Bruce do his thing! 

There was also a lot more back and forth between McClane and the bad guys. A witty banter between the educated bad guys and the wise cracking blue collar cop from New York. I feel like this installment of Die Hard barely had any dialogue at all! At least nothing memorable like in the other four films. 

This one also had an interesting twist in the end. Again, this shouldn't be an issue, but if you're a true Die Hard fan you'll appreciate where I'm coming from. It's just not the same. It's not your standard Die Hard format and I just can't move past it. The movie on it's own, say with Tom Cruise or Jason Statham, would be good, acceptable. But presented as a Die Hard film, it just doesn't hold up. 

Believe me, it pains me to say this, it really does. I want to take this movie and put on a pedestal and tell you that there is yet one more Willis movie for all of us to worship. But I just can't. I'm going to try and see it again, maybe I'll have a different opinion if I see it alone but I really don't think I will. Again, I'm not saying it was a bad movie, not at all. I'm just saying it's not one I can consider to be a part of the Die Hard family. 

Go see it for yourself though and let me know what you think.

Here's one I almost didn't see:

I was actually thinking the other day that it's been a while since a good kids movie had come out. I don't think there's been anything animated since Rise of the Guardians, over two months ago at least and that just ain't fair! The kiddies need stuff to watch on the weekend too!

So here's Escape from Planet Earth. This one was a cute movie about aliens that go to Earth in response to a distress call they received. Only, when they land, they discover it was all a trick and are captured by the military and taken to Area 51 where they are told that if they help finish a "project" using technology from their planet, they'll be released unharmed. 

They meet other aliens who had been captured and promised the same thing and believe that everything the humans are telling them is true. Then they discover the "project" they are working on is actually a giant weapon the humans wish to use to destroy all of their home planets and the aliens then try to escape their captors. 

It's a fun film about family, friendship and bravery and one the kids will enjoy. It wasn't a laugh out loud classic like say Finding Nemo or Monsters Inc., but it was cute. There were also some pretty big stars lending their voices to the various characters so that was pretty cool too. 

And finally:

I had been looking forward to this one for weeks! The trailer looked really cool and it seemed like this one was going to be pretty sweet. 

Again, visually it was really lovely, and it was loaded with big stars (can you say bad guy from Die Hard with a Vengeance?!) But this one just seemed to drag. There wasn't nearly as much action as the trailers would have you believe and it seemed like the dialogue just went on and on. It wasn't terrible dialogue, just more then I expected I suppose.

Now I knew going into the film that this one was 2 hours long, but it really felt like 2 hours and that is never a good sign. All in all though, I did enjoy it. Interesting story, good cast and the ending made me happy. If you were someone who was interested in checking this one out, I say go for it.

I'll leave you with this picture of myself and my movie-sidekick Miranda at the Die Hard Marathon. It was an extremely wonderful day full of John McClane quotes, horribly bad for you foods and frequent bathroom breaks. Not a bad way to spend your day off.

Damn You Snow

Only got to see two this week, thanks to the annoying New England weather. I'm sorry, I've lived here my whole life and I'll never be used to it. Snow is my mortal enemy!

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Today I went and saw Identity Thief staring Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy and Side Effects with Channing Tatum and Rooney Mara.

Let's start with Identity Thief:

This was one I was really looking forward to. I'm in love with both of these actors and was really excited to see them in what promised to be an outrageous comedy. Jason Bateman's character finds himself a victim of identity theft and, finding that the law can do nothing to help him, takes matters into his own hands and attempts to track down the person (McCarthy) responsible for ruining him financially. 

We meet McCarthy, living it up in Florida and Bateman somehow convinces her to travel back to Colorado with him so he can put his life back together. Can someone say road trip?! 

Now, while I did find this film to be extremely enjoyable, I can't say I left feeling like I needed to immediately  see it again with everyone I know. It was as funny as the trailers would have you believe, but it wasn't any funnier then that. I still recommend you see it if you like either of these actors, you'll be happy you did.

Now Side Effects:

This film was completely unexpected! I was on the fence about whether or not I was going to see it. The trailer made it seem a little boring and you couldn't really figure out who the victim was. 

Now normally I start writing these reviews in my head halfway through the movie. I was totally prepared to talk about how this film was an interesting commentary on the state of mental health in this country, and very perfectly timed after everything that happened in Sandy Hook. Then the story took a turn and I had to scrap that review entirely.

I won't say the movie was a shocker or had some genius plot twist, but it was definitely interesting and one that I recommend to anyone who enjoys a good story. But again, also not one I felt I needed to see again immediately.

Yippe Ki-Yay

So this is my first post on my new blog! I'm afraid the movies I have to review aren't the best I've seen, just the most recent.

I intend to use this blog as a means of posting detailed, up to date reviews of the films I see each week. I try to see at least two movies a week and if I get the hankering, you might be privy to some throw back movie reviews of flicks I believe everyone should see.

I'll also leave little notes here and there about upcoming films I'm looking forward to checking out. This blog post is dedicated to the upcoming Die Hard film: It's a Good Day to Die Hard. AMC theaters (I frequent the one in Danbury, CT) is having a full fledged Die Hard marathon on opening night, all five films back to back and for only $35 bucks!

You may think sitting in one room all day, watching five films back to back sounds a little crazy. Just think about it though; we're talking about Bruce Willis doing what he does best. And you can't argue with a $35 price tag for this lot! Considering everyone knows every film they're seeing is a complete hit, I'd say you're getting more then your moneys worth!

But let's press on to the films currently out now. I saw two this past weekend and, if the great outdoors decides to calm the heck down by Sunday, I hope to see at least two to three more.

Last week I saw the latest Stallone film Bullet to the Head, Stand Up Guys with Christopher Walken and Al Pacino and the giant mash-up of shorts, Movie 43.

Let's go with Sly's action movie first:

It certainly wasn't Expendables or Rocky, but if you're a fan of Mr. Stallone's work, you'll be just fine with this one. He delivers a typical guys' movie with this one. The acting isn't much a priority  but the action and story line are good enough to keep you entertained.

This one is the typical, tough-guy out for revenge movie. Stallone plays a hit man whose partner is killed after a job and when Stallone's character uncovers they've been double crossed, he takes matters into his own hands as only our John Rambo can. He teams up with one of those "honest cop" type characters and together they uncover information about the folks who set them up.

You'll find the standard "knock-around/old guy" jokes that Stallone likes to deliver, along with some decent fight scenes and of course, a whole lot of booze and, you guessed it, lots of bullets to the head.

It wasn't my favorite, but I thought it was decent enough. Stallone does look incredible! I don't know what he's changed between the Expendables 2 and this movie but the guy is back in fighting shape for sure!

Now Stand Up Guys was one I was absolutely looking forward to. Christopher Walken, Al Pacino and Alan Arkin, play "retired" mobsters who get together after Pacino's character is released from prison. Christopher Walken is sent to kill him but, being long time friends and "Stand Up Guys", Walken and Arkin decide to give their friend one last night to enjoy his freedom and relive some of the old days.

It isn't a laugh out loud comedy but it definitely has it's funny moments and is one mob movie you can actually say is full of heart. I'll also say, this movie ended exactly the way I'd hoped that it would and I can guarantee you won't be disappointed. It's a lot of story telling but it will certainly hold you're interest and honestly with this cast, how can you expect anything less?


Now I wish I didn't have to do this, but I must end my first review on a sour note. You hate to come across a bad film, let alone spend any money on it, but hopefully you'll use this blog as a tool and potentially avoid making the mistake of handing over your hard earned cash to only end up disappointed.

Here's Movie 43:

Don't you dare let the poster pull you in. I don't care how many Oscar Award winning actors you throw at me, this one is not worth a single dime. 

It's actually a real shame because the concept is really cool: take a series of shorts, written and directed by completely different people, get the most incredible actors together and put them all in roles they wouldn't normally touch with a ten foot pole. To be honest, I have no idea how they got the stars they got, let alone got them to do the things they did. But still, there was no saving this one.

Yes, I'll admit, there were a few shorts I found to be pretty good, but like all MADtv sketches, they ran too long and ultimately lost me in the end. This was a classic case in which the trailer of the film presented fans with literally every funny line in the movie. I wish I could go into more detail but frankly, I don't want to gross you out. 

While the shorts were all different in story, the vast majority of them were full of cheap jokes, gross visuals and crass situations that were just too over the top. I liken it to a movie that could have been written and directed by the dream team of Beavis & Butthead, Charlie Sheen and anyone whose ever posted a drunken act of tom-foolery on YouTube. 

I beg you, don't bother with this one. You might enjoy it if you're stoned but even then, there's surely something better on.