Monday, May 26, 2014

Movie Review: Godzilla - PG13


Warning: Potential spoiler.

OK, You knew I had to see it :)

Back in 1954, the government tried to kill him with atomic bombs, under the guise of weapons testing; instead, they created another terror.  Now,  mankind is threatened by two monsters referred to as MUTO's (Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organism),  and guess who returns to battle them and restore balance?  Yep..you guessed it, Godzilla.

Lt. Ford Brody's father was the first scientist to try to warn the government of the existence of the MUTO's, and after he passes away, Ford is now in the army, trying to help protect people from them and battle them, but it all comes down to Godzilla who is needed to fight and defeat them.

Don't look for a very deep plot, but if you are just looking to be entertained for two hours, Godzilla just might do it...  I found it pretty entertaining, especially how he kills one of the MUTO's :)   

BTW, the movie's website (below) is pretty cool too.

Contents warnings include violence and destruction.




Sunday, May 11, 2014

Movie Review: Captain America: The Winter Soldier - PG13



Steve Rogers/Captain America, Natasha Romanoff/The Black Widow  and Nick Fury are battling HYDRA, a sinister organization that has infiltrated SHIELD.   They also have to battle a new and dangerous enemy, The Winter Soldier.  They receive help from a new ally, Sam Wilson/The Falcon.   

The plot is especially well-written...there are several twists relating to  who they can or cannot trust, and the real identity of the Winter Soldier.  There is a lot of action, and some violence, but it was a level appropriate to the story, not gratuitous, as is so common today.

Chris Evans was good as Captain America and Scarlett Johanson was good as Natasha Romanoff, but the outstanding  acting belongs to Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/The Falcon and Robert Redford as Alexander Pierce.   I even wish  Mackie had more scenes.

One of the better movies I've seen this year.  It is both entertaining and captivating.

One tip: Do NOT leave before the credits finish...you will miss a peak at what is coming next.



Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Movie Review: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Warning: Potential Spoiler


Andrew Garfield is back as Spider-man/Peter Parker.   As usual, he is dealing with both personal issues and the newest villain.  He is feeling guilty about his relationship with Gwen Stacy (his real life girlfriend Emma Stone), because he promised her father he would stay away from her, to not endanger her.  The latest villain is Electro, aka Max Dillon (Jamie Foxx), an OsCorp employee who is transformed from a fan to an enemy of Spider-man by an accident.

Although it is fairly light on story-line, the action is very good, and appropriate to the story...not excessively violent as is so common today.

The best acting performances are by Andrew Garfield and Dane DeHaan as his childhood friend Harry Osborn.

Additionally, we see another new villain briefly at the end of the movie.

Very Entertaining and definitely worth seeing!



 

Friday, May 2, 2014

Movie Review: Moms' Night Out - PG


Warning: potential spoiler

Allyson and her friends  are looking forward to a night out while their husbands watch the kids, but a series of events turn the evening into a comedy of errors, i.e. a disaster :)

I do feel that Allyson overstates  the difficulties of motherhood. While it certainly isn't easy, her exaggeration only waters down the point of the movie.  However, it is also Allyson who later best conveys how rewarding motherhood is.

Patricia Heaton is perfect as a straight-laced preacher's wife.  She also has the funniest scene in the movie.  

I'm a big fan of Trace Atkins, and he  plays an important role in the later half of the movie, and delivers the main point of the story when he tells Allyson to just be who  God made her to be.

Most movies tell a story and include action as part of that story, but in Moms' Night Out, the action and the events that take place actually tell the story.  Not much dialogue is needed.

Most importantly, this story successfully conveys both the challenges and rewards of being a parent.

A very entertaining film for the whole family....it will make you laugh!