Keanu Reeves is a dark mystery: John Wick

I am not usually one for straight up action  movies but I must say  Keanu Reeves was the perfect combination of sexy and brooding in John Wick, a movie of never ending action.

photo credit:google images

Reeves plays John Wick, a retired hit man who just lost his wife, the woman who helped him walk away from his life of crime. All he had left of her were memories and a puppy that was delivered to him a shortly after her death. However, everything changes when a group of men break into his home, steal his car and murder the one thing he had left of his wife.


Throughout the movie, we see the lengths that John Wick goes to in order to bring those punks to justice. In the process of hunting them down, he reacquaints with old friends and old enemies who try to make his job just a little bit harder.


What I liked about this movie is that the story did not drag, it had great flow, a great plot and an ending that tied everything together. I would definitely recommend this movie and pay to see it again.
A Plus!!

The Best of me is a monumental tale

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 He's done it again. Nicholas Sparks has written a book that has turned into a heart wrenching, surefire movie hit. The Best of Me, starring James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan, is absolutely amazing.


Marsden and Monaghan play Amanda Collier and Dawson Cole, two former high school sweethearts who cross paths once again after a close friend of theirs passes away. Throughout the movie we see flashbacks of how their relationship came to be and how their love blossomed into something beautiful.

photo credit: google images

I must say. the casting for this movie was great. The two actors who played the younger versions of Dawson and Amanda really had similar features to Marsden and Monaghan.


Though I did not have the opportunity to finish the book before the movie came out, I can say that the movie followed most of what I have read so far. But, I will warn you now, bring two packs of tissues with you!

One thing I really liked about this film is that it had one twist after the next and the ending was absolutely touching. I will say this, I am going to finish the book, so expect to see another post comparing the two.

No Good Deed is Classically Thrilling

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It's been a while since I've gone to the movies and have seen a really good thriller; one with suspense, shock and characters with kick-ass instinct. I have to say, No Good Deed had it all.


Idris Elba plays Colin Evans, an escaped convict who crashes his car in the pouring rain and ends up seeking refuge from Teri, (played by Taraji P. Henson)  a mother to two young children and a wife to an out of town husband.


 Being a trusting person, Teri gives Colin the phone to call for a tow truck but makes the mistake of letting him in the house while he waits. It is from this point on that Teri must do everything in her power to keep Colin from killing her and her children.

What I liked about this movie was that it was not at all predictable and there was a huge surprise toward the end that helped us understand the character of Colin Evans a bit more. Toward the end of the movie, everyone in the audience was cheering and clapping for Teri who had some serious bad-ass moments.


I would definitely pay money to see this movie again. Great writing!

Guardians of the Galaxy is hilariously phenomenal!

I recently went to see Guardians of the Galaxy and although I have never been a major fan of the marvel movies, I have to say I was thoroughly entertained from beginning to end.


The story focuses on Peter Quill (Chis Pratt) who was abducted from Earth in 1988 after his mother passed away. Shortly after the audience witnesses his abduction the film fast forwards 26 years where Peter is seen stealing an extremely valuable and powerful orb that ends up causing a lot of chaos.

photo credit: google images

While this was mainly an action film, there were several scenes that caused fits of laughter among the audience. I have to say the writers picked a great cast, including Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, to portray these characters and produce the lines that were oh so funny.


Throughout the film, I was  also amazed by the spectacular special effects. Though it was not in 3-D I felt as though I was battling side by side with this awesome superhero team.


While I don't usually make the effort to see marvel movies in theaters, I wouldn't mind paying the money to see this film again!

Think Like a Man Too is a Complete riot!

The Think Like a Man gang is back and better than ever in this outrageously funny sequel about a group of friends reuniting in Vegas to celebrate one of their own getting married.

photo credit: Google images

The story focuses on Michael and Candace who are getting married, despite the wishes of Michael's mother Loretta who never thought Candace was good enough for her son. But for Michael's sake, Loretta "tries" to show her acceptance by planning and controlling the entire weekend. Candace and Lauren do find a way however, to escape Loretta's grip, which eventually lands them into more trouble than they ever could have imagined.

What I liked about this film is the character growth. Everyone (except Cedric of course ) made huge leaps, all thanks to their significant others.


This movie was fantastic. I literally laughed from beginning to end, which was in huge part due to Kevin Hart's role as Cedric. His expressions alone are enough to make someone fall out of their seat with uncontrollable laughter.

photo credit: Google images

McCrandon light up the screen: Tammy

Melissa McCarthy and Susan Sarandon are the ultimate dynamic duo in this 2014 hit Tammy.

The story is about a woman, Tammy (McCarthy) who reluctantly takes her alcoholic grandmother on a road trip after she loses her job and cheating husband all in one day.


Right from the start, we see that Tammy holds an extreme grudge against her grandmother; as the story unfolds we understand why. But as the movie progresses, their relationship reaches a growth. In fact there was one part of the movie when Tammy attempts to bail her grandmother out of jail by robbing a burger joint. That was my personal favorite part.

During their journey, Tammy and her grandmother meet two handsome strangers , Earl and Bobby who happen to be father and son. This alone is one hell of a storyline!


I don't always like all of the movies that Melissa McCarthy is in but I must say she did a great job in this film. I think the biggest reason I liked this movie was the likeability of the characters, especially Tammy. It was also a bonus that Sandra Oh (Grey's Anatomy) was in it and played Kathy Bates' lover!

This movie will have you laughing from beginning to end, I know I did!

The Fault in Our Stars is an Epic Love Story

Shailene Woodley has grown so much from her days on The Secret Life of the American Teenager. She has proven herself to be an asset to the acting community in this touching film based on John Green's Novel, The Fault in Our Stars.

Woodley stars as Hazel Grace Lancaster, a teenage cancer patient who attends a support group and meets Augustus Waters, the boy who steals her heart and quickly becomes the love of her life. He helps her experience life outside her cancer.

photo credit: google images

What I liked about this film was that it was very real. The writers did not sugarcoat the struggles of living a life with cancer but they added comic relief which lightened the drama of the story.

This truly was an epic love story that will bring a mixture of tears and smiles to the faces of all who watch this film.

Jersey Boys is a dance in your seat, fun filled movie!

Audiences will not be able to resist the musical entertainment of Jersey Boys, a movie that tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, a group formed by four young men from the wrong side of the tracks.


The majority of the story focused on the vocal talents of Frankie Valli and contained many of the songs that we all love to sing but what I liked is that each character had a story to tell. For instance, we saw the influence that Tommy DeVito had on the rest of the group. He was the bad boy that I loved and hated at the same time.

photo credit: Google images

What I really enjoyed about this movie, is that is actually had a real storyline as opposed to being fully centered around the songs. It was filled with drama, romance and a few mob references which made the film all the more interesting.


I have never seen the Broadway play but I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the portrayal of Frankie Valli, played by John Lloyd Young.  He did a fantastic job, as did the rest of the cast. I would recommend this film to anyone who enjoys a good tune.

Zac Efron proves versatility: Neighbors

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Zac Efron has went from playing the innocent and preppy Troy Bolton in High School Musical to the badass frat brother Teddy Sanders in Neighbors. He has proven his capability of adapting to any acting role.




Efron stars next to Seth Rogan and Rose Byrne, who play new parents Mac and Kelly living in a cozy, quiet neighborhood until the house next door to them becomes the home to a fraternity. The noise level soon becomes the cause of a war between the couple and their new frat neighbors.

Though there were several parts of this film that sparked laughter, I felt the characters, specifically Mac and Kelly, acted with extreme, unrealistic stupidity.




I have seen all of Zac Efron's movies and although this films proves his ability to play any character role, I do not think this was his best movie.

Rio 2 is an animated delight

In this adorable sequel to the 2011 hit Rio, old friends reunite, new adventures are taken and vengeance is sought.


The story takes place in the Amazon where Blue and his family have traveled in a quest to find their missing species.


In their travels, Jewel reconnects with her father and the rest of her family, whom she never thought she'd see again. This alone is an interesting storyline because we see the lengths Blue goes to impress his new found father in-law.


In addition to the loveable characters we met in the original film, there are several new characters that are just as endearing.


I am not usually one for animated films but I must say I very much enjoyed watching this movie from beginning to end. It is a fun filled family film that has comedic relief, a lot of musical entertainment and little twists along the way including an encounter from Tiago who was seeking revenge on Blue.

photo credit: google images

The Other Woman is Delightfully Funny

For any woman who's been cheated on by the man she thought she loved, The Other Woman is definitely the film to see.


Cameron Diaz, Kate Upton and Leslie Mann star in this hilarious comedy about a housewife, Kate (Mann) who finds out that her husband Mark (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) is having an affair with two other women, Carly (Diaz) and Amber (Upton).

Kate tracks the two women down but instead of lashing out at them, the three women team up to take Mark down. In the process of taking steps to make his life miserable, they form a true friendship.

What I liked about this movie is that neither of the mistresses knew they were mistresses and when they found out who Mark really was, they refused to continue sleeping with him.


Though it is completely unrealistic for a wife to form bonds with her husband's girlfriends, it was fun to watch these women do what all women in their shoes wish they could do: Make Him Pay!


I give this movie an A plus.

Heaven is for Real is an Inspirational Tear Jerker

This inspirational tale could melt the coldest heart and bring tears to the driest eyes. Connor Corum is absolutely amazing in this story based on the true experience of Colton Burpo.

photo credit: google images. Colton and Todd Burpo

At the age of four Colton suffered a near death experience. He was rushed to the hospital and underwent surgery for a ruptured appendix. Though he never actually encountered death for any number of minutes, Colton later relayed his unbelievable experience in Heaven with his father, Pastor Todd Burpo, played by Greg Kinnear.


Colton explained to his dad that while he was in surgery, he visited with Jesus and saw the beauty Heaven had to offer. Of course, Todd wanted to believe his son but everything being uttered from his mouth seemed virtually impossible.


Throughout the movie, I was completely taken by the incredible amount of faith exhibited by a four year old little boy. His accounts were so vivid, it was hard not to believe what he was saying.


If ever your faith in God is tested, watch this film. It is guaranteed to inspire you.

Shailene Woodley shines in Divergent

Shailene Woodley is a force to be reckoned with in Divergent, a movie based on the book trilogy written by Veronica Roth.


Woodley plays the role of Tris, a girl living in a world divided into five factions: Abnegation, meant for the selfless; Amity, meant for the peaceful; Candor, meant for the honest and Dauntless, meant for the brave.


Tris grew up as part of the Abnegation faction but on the day of her aptitude test, she finds out that she is what is referred to as divergent, meaning she shows an equal aptitude for each faction, which makes it all the more difficult for her to select one on Choosing Day. But she decides to choose Dauntless, the faction she has always longed to be a part of.

Throughout the movie, Tris is constantly working to prove herself to the leaders of Dauntless, who perceive her as being weak but she shows them she is nothing of the sort. In fact there were parts of this movie that actually caused audience members to applaud for Tris in their seats.
But with every movie, comes a conflict, which Tris must work hard to put an end to. She is a non-stop fighter who had me rooting for her from the very beginning.


There is also a great love story between Tris and Four, one of the leaders of Dauntless, played by Theo James. Four is one of those characters with a rough exterior but who has a big heart. As the movie progresses, we get a glimpse into his past and see his relationship with Tris
 blossom.


Woodley did a fantastic job in this role and has truly grown as an actress from her days on The Secret Life of the American Teenager. I look forward to seeing what she has in store for us next.

About Last Night is wildly funny

Kevin Hart has yet again proved himself to be the comedian to beat in the hilariously fun romantic comedy About Last Night, starring Hart, Michael Ealy, Joy Bryant and Regina Hall.


Hart and Ealy play the roles of best friends Bernie and Danny, two complete opposites when it comes to matters of the heart. This becomes evident when they develop relationships with roommates Joan (Hall) and Debbie (Bryant)


Bernie's relationship with Joan is completely dysfunctional and entertaining to watch. We witness the fun, the tears and the squabbles experienced in their relationship.

photo credit: google images
Bernie and Joan

But Danny's relationship with Debbie is more of a love story that people strive to have. Throughout the movie, I was rooting for them to come out on top.

photo credit: google images
Danny and Debbie

This movie was the perfect combination of funny and dramatic. Though it reached points of seriousness, it never ceased to leave viewers falling out of their seats with laughter.


If you are looking for a fun date night movie, I highly recommend going to see this film, it is completely worth the money you pay.

Endless Love is Endlessly Entrancing

Gabriella Wilde and Alex Pettyfer are absolute perfection in this tale of undying adoration.


Endless Love tells the story of Jade Butterfield, a girl who's spent most of her teenage years hidden behind her books until she meets handsome valet David Elliot, the complete opposite of what Jade's wealthy and over protective father imagined for her.

photo credit: google images

But despite her father's disapproval, Jade allows herself to fall in love with David, which does not bode well with Mr. Butterfield. He does everything in his power to prove that David is not good enough for his only daughter.


Throughout the movie, I was angered by her father's heartless actions and found myself rooting for Jade and David's love to concur all obstacles.


This movie had it all: love, drama, lies and deception and the ending was just as great as the movie's opening. It's films like these that restore your faith in the idea of love.


For all you hopeless romantics out there, this is a can't miss film!

A Unique Perception of Love: The Past

I have never been one for foreign movies but last night I unknowingly watched a French film, The Past, starring Bérénice Bejo, Tahar Rahim and Ali Mosaffa and to my surprise I did find some enjoyment.


The story is about a young mother, Marie, who is seeking a divorce from her husband Ahmad to venture on a new journey with her current fiancé, Samir.


During the movie we learn how Marie's relationship with Samir developed and we see the problems they share with the Marie's oldest daughter, Lucie who disapproves of her mother's lover.


photo credit: google images
Marie and Samir

The concept of this movie was well thought out and like every good film there was a lot of drama and some interesting twists. I was also happy because my lack of understanding the French language was accommodated with English subtitles.

 However, the movie was dragged out and a bit sad. I also felt it could have had a better ending. But for those who enjoy French films with a unique and dramatic plot this is the movie to see.



photo credit: google images
Marie and Ahmad

 





standing ovation for Ride Along

Ride Along will have you falling off your seat with laughter from beginning to end. Kevin Hart's humor, paired with Ice Cube's rough exterior make this movie an absolute must see.

Hart plays Ben, an aspiring police officer, desperate for the approval of his girlfriend's brother, who he hopes will become his brother-in-law. As an attempt to prove that he is the right man to marry James' (Ice Cube) sister Angela, he agrees to a ride along with his future cop brother-in-law.

But what starts out as harmless fun to keep Ben from marrying Angela turns into trouble for Ben and James. They are forced to set aside their differences in order to stay alive.



photo credit: google images

Hart and Ice Cube make an incredibly funny team that will have viewers entertained from start to finish. It's the non-stop friction between them that brings out the humor in the story.

Like any good action movie, there was also a surprising twist that shakes the movie up and changes the viewer's opinion of the supporting characters.

I personally would pay money to see this movie again! It was absolutely fantastic. Action movie goers should definitely make a trip to the movies asap to see this movie!


 



two thumbs down for American Hustle

While this movie was filled with talented actors and actresses, including Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams and Christian Bale, it was not a film I would reccommend to audiences.

The story was based on a couple of con-artists (Adams and Bale) who were caught trying to scam an undercover cop. As part of a deal to keep them out of prison, they were asked to aid the cops in baiting a politician who was taking bribes. Of course, when taking on the help of cons, the line of trust is thin.

Throughout this movie, I kept wondering when it would end, as it dragged on for two and a half hours. Usually I would be able to sit through a long dragged film, if I felt some connection with the characters but the character development in this film was terrible. No one was likeable.

The only good part of this movie was the fact that Robert De Niro was in it but his part was short lived. If he had more scenes, I could have been persuaded into liking this film.

If you really have the desire to watch this movie, I would suggest waiting for it to come out on dvd because I personally did not feel it was worth the money to see in theaters.

photo credit: google images

Zone into The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

When I first saw the trailers for The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, starring Ben Stiller, I thought it seemed odd and not worth the money to see in theaters. However after some convincing on my cousin's part, I decided to give the movie a chance and was pleasantly surprised.

Stiller plays Walter Mitty, a man who often escapes reality by conjuring up scenarios in which he accomplishes what he's too afraid to try in his everyday life. The focus of his daydreams usually centers around Cheryl Melhoff, a fellow co-worker.

But Walter is forced to set aside his fantasies for the sake of his job, which entails developing negatives for Life Magazine. Throughout the movie, Walter searches Heaven and Earth to find a missing photograph and the photographer who shot it. The success of this task could make or break Walter's career.

Like any good film, this movie had action, comedy, romance and confilict, mostly initiated by Walter's boss Ted Hendricks, played by Adam Scott, an actor that is no stranger to playing the unlikeable.

 I enjoyed the scenes between Scott and Stiller because when Stiller's character zoned out he would stand up and actually fight his boss. I found myself constantly rooting for Walter and throughout the movie kept hoping the fight would become reality.

I must say, I have never been much of a Ben Stiller fan because I found his movies (with the exception of the Meet the Parents films) to be farfetched. But this movie changed my perception of Stiller's acting.

For those who enjoy a good action packed movie, this one is the film to see.

photo credit: google images