'Super 8' - A Magical Movie That Fails To Make It's Own Noise

This was a movie I had been looking forward to for quite sometime and really thought it would be the movie of the summer, however I will have to admit I was somewhat disappointed with J.J. Abrams effort in this one. It was E.T. meets Cloverfield, just a little more mysterious and drawn out in my opinion. While the beginning of this film was very strong, having an excellent build up to this "mysterious creature", the second half of the movie was really it's downfall. There was too much hype and mystery surrounding this film, for an ending that was pretty predictable and average for a mind like J.J. Abram's. This is not a review that will rip apart the movie as it is still a movie to go and see but one that fell short of my expectations for the summer blockbuster I had hoped for. Almost instantly from the films opening scene, you can already feel the Abrams/Spielberg collaboration kicking in, especially when we are first introduced to the remarkable young cast in the film. It has the Lost-esque feeling from the depressing first scene, even displaying similar tones playing in the background reminiscent to certain flashbacks we witnessed on mysterious TV show. Super 8 wasn't a bad film but any means but it just didn't seem to have the magic I thought I was in for.

Super 8 displayed the thrills, laughs, special effects and adventure we were assured to see from these two filmmakers but it just failed to make it's own noise and separate itself from others movies in the same genre we have seen in the past. Regardless of this, J.J. Abrams being the man of action he is really put together some quite impressive scenes. The train crash scene was absolutely spectacular and long, which was amazing. It was loud, explosive, hectic and edited with perfection by Abrams. That scene in my opinion really made this movie, it was one of the better action scenes I have seen in a long time on the big screen. This derailment is the films big piece and really was absolutely fantastic. He really is a fantastic director of suspense, build up and mysterious films and this movie really proves that once again. 

Another strong point to this film were the performances of a talented and strong cast of almost unknown young actors, led by Joel Courtney and Elle Fanning. Courtney and Fanning were both spectacular in this film. Courtney, playing the lead role of Joe Lamb really sold himself on screen transforming from a soft spoken kid to an eventual hero with plenty of courage he never thought he had. Fanning, the most known actor of the bunch, was also spectacular and I can see why directors all wanna work with her. Fanning and Courtney really balance their roles out perfectly and form the strongest emotional relationship in the film.Though Fanning is as also stellar in her role (having a pretty solid resume at only 13 years old), it was Courtney's story of how he landed the role that really made me believe this kid has some serious natural talent. Joel Courtney, brother of actor Caleb Courtney apparently went to Hollywood to land a few commericals and $100 in his pocket but instead landed the lead role in a Spielberg/Abrams summer blockbuster film. When thing's like this happen, especially when it has a Spielberg seal of approval, you know that Joel's career will be a long one after his outstanding performance in this film. All the kids in Super 8 (Riley Griffiths, Zach Mills, Gabriel Basso, and of course Ryan Lee) all seem to have great chemistry in the film, and really make their relationship feel real with their honest and genuine performances. The adults, Kyle Chandler, Ron Eldard, Noah Emmerich, also all gave some raw and real performances. 

This film just could have been done a lot better, and really doesn't hold a candle to E.T. (like it is seldom compared to) as it doesn't create it's own magic and noise to it's full potential. It has all the thrills, action, and comedic relief you look for but is missing a story that fails to develop into something special. The ending was somewhat predictable and the mystery of this creature that we never got to see in the trailer. Super 8 is a mystical homage to Spielberg's work in E.T., but just doesn't quite measure up to Spielberg's classic sci-fi. I respect Abrams for his attempt at making a film that stand alongside such a classic, and did a pretty good job for a modern day film, but comes up a little short with his lack of inspiration. It is definitely a flattering film, just comes up a little short of the real thing we expected like we saw with E.T. in 1982. This shortfall will drop my rating of what I thought would have been a guaranteed A to a solid B in my books. This isn't to say you shouldn't go see it in theaters because Super 8 is definitely one of those films that is a better experience on the big screen with big sound, and of course your movie candy to snack on. Get to a theater near you quick!

'X-Men: First Class' - A Franchise Revived

It really has been a while since Marvel's attempt of adapting these mutants on the big screen has proved any sort of success, and I'm not talking box office success. Well after seeing this film over the weekend, I can tell you that Matthew Vaughn has hit out of the ball park with this one. X-Men:First Class has everything you want in a film, a good solid story, great acting, style, sex appeal and of course great special effects and action from a great director. Though I wouldn't go as far as to suggest that it gives The Dark Knight a run for it's money (a sentiment that has been echoed by the social media in it's first week of release), X-Men:First Class is definitely one of the top 10 superhero movies ever made already. 

Where to begin with this one, well I guess the acting is something that we should take notice for. Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy were absolutely fantastic in this film, both actors gave great performances and really led a young talented cast with great poise and charming charisma. They made their roles so beleivable serving as the "father figures" for the other young mutants. Another big surprise was Kevin Bacon, I'll admit when I first heard of his casting I was a little surprised by the choice but he put any doubt I had to rest and played a pretty darn good villain in this film (even brushing up on his German for the beginning scene). His associate, January Jones (or Emma Frost) couldn't have been anymore beautiful as she was talented and really dazzled the audience whenever she braced the big screen. The other 'First Class' members such as Jennifer Lawrence, Rose Byrne, Nicolas Holt, Lucas Till, Zoe Kravitz, and Jason Flemyng were all perfect choices for their roles. 

The style of the film was impeccable, to the creative sets, locations, and great costume design as well X-Men: First Class is definitely a movie with plenty of style for you fashion goers. It has a cool and classy look, with an attitude that is echoed through the characters personalities. The film takes it's own path from the previous films with it's stylish, exihalirintg, and darker tone than the previous 2000 franchise.This prequel is not one that just takes us back to origins of X-Men but also the relationship between two mutants by nature, Erik Leshner (Fassbender) and Professor Xavier (McAvoy). Both men are born into mutanity with very different perspectives on the human race. It takes us back to the original mutants to start this team and definitely makes it an interesting one to see. It's always cool to see the origins of super heroes, and Matthew Vaughn follows in Christopher Nolan's footsteps rebooting a fallen franchise back to it's glory with X-Men: First Class. 

I am going to highly recommend this film as it was easily one of the better Marvel films in the past few years and definitely a film that will and should be watched more than once. I am huge fan of Matthew Vaughn's work, and he always seems to one up himself, one film after another. People should take note because this movie should make Vaughn a hot commodity for future films, especially one's in the superhero genre. This film is nothing short of spectacular and for that I'm going to give it an A in my books, besides as I said before it has everything you would want in a film, entertainment, great directing, acting as well an exhilarating look and story to go along with it. Even if you're not a huge X-Men guy (which I am not), this film is sure to entertain you for the entire 132 minutes, and have you begging for more once it's done. Get to a theatre near you! 

'The Hangover Part II' - Same Story, Different Place

Most of you reading this review have already heard through friends,  chatter and of course the social media about people's thoughts and opinions of Todd Phillips follow up to his 2009 hit comedy. Before walking into this theater I will admit I felt a little skeptical about this film from the reviews and thoughts I had heard before I go to the theaters. Though it is a film that is more or less the same as it's predecessor, The Hangover Part II still delivers plenty of laughs, craziness and insanity we witnessed in Vegas. 

Everything in this film is pretty much a carbon copy of the first one, right from the opening credits to the token band at the end of the wedding (though this time unfortunately The Dan Band was replaced by some an "Asian Version"). The pace and story line was also almost identical to the original, but this time with a dialogue that felt a little cheesy at sometimes. Laughs were forced on occasion (which one can only expect from a sequel) but still offered some fresh humor built on the previous screenplay from the first film. The backdrop of Thailand also added to the fresh humor of different cultures colliding together in a wild wedding affair, especially in the darkest alley's and shit house hotels of Bangkok. The Asia culture mixed with the guys knack for getting themselves into these situations led to plenty of great laughs, as well as disturbed faces. 

The cast was great as you would expect and yes the rumors are true Ken Jeong kinda stole the spotlight away from Galifianakis in this one. I'm not taking away anything in Galifianakis's performance cause it was still great but Jeong was utterly hilarious in this film whenever he was on screen. Bradley Cooper the so-called "leader" of the group played his role to a tee like he did with The Hangover. Ed Helms was great in this one especially this his Mike Tyson tattoo and smoking hot wife, Jaime Chung. Justin Bartha's role was diminished drastically in this film and instead of being the lost one in it, plays the role of the responsible friend keeping their friends drunken binge a secret from the bride and her family. He role was actually replaced by Mason Lee (playing the guy they had lost) and he did a pretty good job at keeping up with the crazy cast for a pretty much unknown actor.

All in all Phillips did a great job following up his huge 2009 comedic success. He use of the same screenplay and plot allowed for little originality but tons of familiarity that lent to similar situations, instances and craziness we saw in the first movie. The audience is able to connect with the characters once again, almost as if they never left our lives because of this. Although at times the movie felt a little cheesy and stupid, it definitely was still a solid sequel. Though there has been criticisms about the films originality (as I just stated), anyone who loved The Hangover will not be disappointed with this sequel as it offers tons of laughs and grotesque shit for all moviegoers. I will give this film a B- simply because it does what you expect, entertain with Phillips hilarious humor we witnessed in the first one, yet isn't quite on par with it as we all pretty much expected. If you wanna see the next chapter in the ground breaking success of this comedic franchise, get to a theater near you! 

'Thor' Holds His Mighty Hammer Strong

I will admit after seeing all the trailer and TV spots for Kenneth Branagh's THOR, I found myself a little disappointed as what to expect in theaters. After seeing this film on the weekend, I can't help but praise it, as it was a entertaining, action packed, mystical and even had some great comedic humor to compliment it. Branagh's takes on a mystical adventure with THOR and really seems to find the perfect balance between that mystical world and earth, while also lending to plenty of witty humor for the audience. 

This really isn't like all the other MARVEL films you have seen in the past and really separates itself because of it's originality of the story and the tremendous acting that accompanies it. Casting was done extremely well and the mix of British, Australian and American actors all blended in perfectly with their characters. Anthony Hopkins was picture perfect as Odin, King Of Asgard, Chris Hemsworth shows his charisma and powerful personality portraying THOR perfectly, and Natalie Portman does a great job as the beautiful love interest in Jane Foster in the film. Tom Hiddelston was also fantastic as the evil Loki, and all the other supporting cast members including Stellan Skarsgard and Idris Elba played their roles up to par. 

Kenneth Branagh really impressed me with his directing in this film. Firstly for a guy not known to do big blockbuster films he definitely hit it out of the park on his first swing. The pace was perfect and everything was very visible to see even trough intense and shaky battle scenes. His direction of the film allowed for an entertaining, hilarious and captivating film for the audience. He also did an amazing job of tying in the realms of Asgard and Earth together, making an almost perfect balance of romance, action and intruge on both planets. 

Thor get's an A- in my books simply because my expectations were exceeded above and beyond what I though I was walking into. With it's solid screenplay, acting, visual affects, humor and a tremendous action punch to go with it, THOR is everything you look for in an entertaining super hero filled movie. If you haven't go to a theater near you to check it out then I suggest you do soon, as this movie should entertain and suffice most looking for a journey of adventure, mysticism and creativity. I would also recommend you stay in your seat until the credits roll on through, as a small clip at the very end of them divulges some key infomation to the next installment, The Avengers. 

'Scream 4' - Best One Since The Original

Sidney Prescott really did sum up the movie perfect when she says" You forgot one rule about remakes - never fuck with the original". This is simply because Scream 4 really doesn't measure up the 1996 classic of Scream, but honestly for a fourth installment after an 11 year hiatus, the film definitely met my expectations. Some people may strongly disagree and though there are some stupid parts to the film (which is to be expected in most modern horror films), I am a suck for Scream movies and this one definitely did it for me. 

The cast was great, and the mix of newcomers Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, Rory Culkin, Marielle Jaffe with the surviving trio of Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette was a great balance for the film. From the opening scene of the token suspenseful phone call (or phone calls in the case) that Craven is known for really brought me back to my roots as a kid watching the original, one of the first horror films I probably ever saw. The new cast does a great job of carrying on this franchise by sticking to the roots of the 1990 classics we wtinessed from Wes (Infact characters and even actual scenes in the film make comparision to the orginal). The typical nerds , hot chicks, as well as pure and innocence (we think) are all prevelant in this film adding to Scream's stereo typical themes. 

If your reading this and getting the idea that Scream 4 is a masterpiece, it is far from it, however it definitely reigns supreme over Scream 2 & 3 in my opinion. This is the reason I probably enjoyed the film as much as did simply because it felt more like the original than the other sequels because of the new decade and new cast involved in the film. Though I didn't love the ending to the film, it is definitely a major plot twist and will surprise the audience as to who the killer is in the film. Craven throws many situations at you that make you believe it is someone, but you will probably never suspect who the killer is, at least I didn't. 

I will toss it up to a B- in my books as it provides the suspense, thrills, gore, and token Wes Craven touch we have experiencing with his directing over the years. Throw in the fact that the film is 10 years later with new light and energy to it, and you have got yourself a pretty good horror film in Scream 4. If you are a Scream fanatic (like I am) then I suggest you get to a theater near you to see it. However if you are one that doesn't enjoy horror or likes it in the comfort if your home then wait on it, but definitely jump on it when it release to DVD. Complete the Scream franchise by seeing this film forsure!