World War Z

After watching Dawn of the Dead a few years ago I gave up watching anything that had to do with zombies.  Deformed, discolored beings wanting to eat my flesh is my second biggest fear and my first fear is an alien invasion, but let's move on.
World War Z stars Brad Pitt (Angelina Jolie's baby daddy) and Mireille Enos (The Killing).  Gerry Lane (Pitt) is a former United Nations investigator and on a seemingly normal day with his wife Karin Lane (Enos) and two daughters things take a change for the worst. 
They do not explain in the movie what actually starts the outbreak, but of course I'm sure they will fit it all in on the second film. 
World War Z is suspenseful and full of action.  For someone that does not care for zombies there is a scene near the end when Gerry is a little too close for comfort and that scene was on my mind for the night.  If you are seeking a good thriller film then I definitely recommend World War Z.

The Purge

I am very funny when it comes to seeing movies in the theater.  Usually if I do not see a movie within the first week or two then I do not see it until it comes to television, Netflix or another outlet.  I did however go see The Purge the second week it was in theaters when everyone else was going to see Man of Steel.  This suspenseful flick starred Ethan Hawke (Training Day, Daybreakers) the biggest name in the entire film. 

The Purge takes place in the year 2022 and there is a new America where crime and unemployment rates are at an all time low.  The government allows for one night a year a 12 hour period were all crimes are deemed legal including murder.

I was drawn to this movie because of the interesting storyline and a hint of a question in my mind, could this come true?

The Purge centers around the Sandin family James Sandin played by Ethan Hawke, James' wife Mary Sandin (Lena Headey), and his two children Zoey (Adelaide Kane) and Charlie (Max Burkholder).  The Sandins live in a gated community were they as well as their neighbors are considered to be the upper crust of society due to their wealth. 

Moments before the alarm sounds to commence the night of violence the Sandins arm their home and get settled in for a peaceful night, but it will turn out to be anything but peaceful. 
Charlie decides to provide sanctuary to a stranger desperately in need and it brings the attention of a band of preppy hunters only looking to purge on the helped stranger.  The leader of the hunters make a request to James Sandin, but when James refuses to comply the action begins.

The Purge has received mixed reviews, but the film had a production budget of $3 million and in its first week opening made $34.1 million and was number one at the box office.  A sequel is already in the works.

I give this film one thumb up because it does not have the greatest acting in the world and the action is mediocre.  I say wait until it comes to Netflix which will be in a couple months anyway.

I Did NOT like The Avengers

I think the reason I did not the blockbuster, number 1 for two weeks, action flick is because I went into the movie with high expectations and was sadly disappointed.  The very first scene left me with a feeling that the rest of the movie would be a let down.  The film did have its moments of laughter and of course action. 

It was nice to see the banter between the various personalities of Captain America (Chris Evans), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), and the various other superheroes.  All from different backgrounds and times all brought together for the common good and to, of course save the world from impending doom.  Doom that is being caused by Thor's brother.

This is a film I would have to say you would have to go see for yourself. 

2013: The Hangover 3

I sure do hope that the world does not end in December because it has been announced that The Hangover Part III will be coming out some time in 2013. And yes, Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galafianakis have all signed on to reprise their roles as Phil, Stu and Alan. This will be the last film for 'The Hangover' franchise. I cannot help but wonder what exciting lays ahead for the wolf pack. So many questions like, will they go back to Vegas? Will Alan be the one getting married? Who will get lost and this trio will have to find them? Or will this be a totally new movie with a new plot? For right now those are all unanswered questions and we will just have the wait and see.

40th Anniversary of The Godfather

On the AMC channel, best known for the shows Mad Men and The Walking Dead this week premiered The Godfather as a celebration of the films 40th year anniversary. Every evening AMC would rotate showing The Godfather and The Godfather Part II. All day Saturday they showed the entire saga in chronological order. It was quite unique and interesting to watch it in this way instead of the original movie version which in The Godfather Part II does flashbacks between Vito Corleone's boyhood and Michael Corleone's present day acension. In showing the film in chronological order we the viewers saw scenes that are not in the original film and it gave a wider glimpse at the various characters affiliated with the Corleone family such as Clemenza, Hyman Roth and many more.

The Godfather is one of the greatest sagas of all time and if you disagree, then you do not know movies. In my opinion it was perfectly cast and my fear is that someone will try to remake this iconic saga. If someone director, writer or producer wants to try their hand at a remake of this film then they have to have the perfect cast. Or better yet do not attempt to make a remake.

The AMC presentation of The Godfather really made my weekend grand.

Best Picture: The Artist

The Academy Awards were held last night and who would have ever thought that in the sophisticated world of film making a silent film shot in black and white would win for Best Picture? It certainly left me a gasp considering that the Martin Scorsese film Hugo was racking up the Oscars at the start of the night. The Artist was the underdog film that seem to have come out of nowhere and once again the underdog film triumphed. Not only did the movie win Best Picture, but the films leading actor, French star, Jean Dujardin walked away with a golden statue for Best Actor In a Leading Role.
Could this be Hollywood's way of moving back to an era when everything was not given to us in a film, but we had to use our imagination as well? No fancy 3D or freeze framing, but people performing on a screen no words spoken. All this is possible and in my opinion this will not be the last film we will see like this because due to the success of this film there are bound to be copycats.
CONGRATS TO ALL THE WINNERS AND NOMINEES OF THE 84TH ACADEMY AWARDS!!

A Movie Lovers Super Bowl is the Oscars

On Sunday February 5, 2012 on NBC millions of sports fans and football fanatics will gather in homes and bars eyes glued to the television to watch the New York Giants and New England Patriots battle to become Super Bowl champs. The Super Bowl is the highest viewed football game of any season. Many watch just for the highly anticipated commercials that have become ever so famous and others watch to see modern day gladiators battle for victory.
For those of us that are movie lovers or even #movienerds our "Super Bowl" is the Academy Awards which will air on Sunday, February 26, 2012 on ABC. Like the Super Bowl some watch for the fashion and celebrities and others of us watch to see who will take home that coveted prize...the Oscar.
The Super Bowl which is the highest achievement for a football team, so can be said of the Academy Awards for actors and directors. Even if a person is nominated and does not win they will forever be known as Academy Award nominee... which cannot be said of the Super Bowl. A team goes to the Super Bowl and loses they will be known as a LOSER.
Some have called the Academy Awards boring, but it really is not if you can understand the dynamics of the show. The very vibe of the show is "old Hollywood" a time when people did not use profanity on television and ladies were ladies and men were gentlemen. It is a classy, classic award show that holds the highest honor for actors, directors, writers, wardrobe stylist and many more. It is timeless.