Movie Reviews 101

Director: Peter Jackson

Writer: Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson, Guillermo Del Toro (Screenplay) J.R.R. Tolkien (‘The Hobbit’ Novel)

Starring: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, James Nesbitt, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Luke Evans, Lee Pace

 

Plot: The Hobbit Bilbo (Freeman), the Wizard Gandalf (McKellen) and 13 dwarfs led by Thorin (Armitage) continue their journey to reclaim the Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. Along the way they encounter the skin changer Beorn; giant Spiders of Mirkwood; Wood-elves led by Legolas (Bloom), Tauriel (Lilly) and King Thranduil (Pace); and a mysterious Man named Bard (Evans); who smuggles them into Lake-town. Finally reaching the Lonely Mountain they face their greatest danger – the dragon Smaug (Cumberbatch).

 

Verdict: Adventure Continues

 

Story: The adventure carries on following the heroes as they quest to restore a rightful king. Mixing all the different races together to fight for one common good before darkness takes over the world. This is nothing new to the original Lord of the Rings trilogy and much like them it is way too long to tell what simple story is being told. (6/10)

 

Actor Reviews

 

Ian McKellen: Gandalf pledges to help the dwarfs on their quest only to go off on his own quest to get ready for battle in the next film. Good performance from McKellen but it is fair to say he isn’t involved as much as people will think. (8/10)

Martin Freeman: Bilbo the Hobbit hired to be the gloried burglar for the dwarfs, battles the power of the ring while trying to complete his quest. Good from Martin adding some light hearted comedy to an overly serious film. (8/10)

 

Richard Armitage: Thorin the rightful dwarf king who is out to reclaim his kingdom. Good determined leader performance fills in very much for the Aragon role from the first trilogy. (9/10)

 

Orlando Bloom: Legolas the elf archer who protects his people with his superior combat skills. Good for the fight scenes and timing but otherwise seems a bit pointless for the quest. (5/10)

 

Evangeline Lilly: Tauriel elf warrior who has a connection to one of the dwarfs is also good for combat. Good performance with a character that offers more than Legolas. (7/10)

 

Luke Evans: Bard/Girion mysterious stranger who helps the dwarfs get to their next part of their quest but and what cost? Good performance introducing a mystery character to the final chapter. (8/10)

 

Director Review: Peter Jackson – Doesn’t pull you in as much as previous instalments but this comes off more interesting than the first Hobbit. (7/10)

 

Adventure: The adventure the dwarfs go on is very good and you want to see how they get on the whole time. (9/10)

Fantasy: It is all pure fantasy. (10/10)

Settings: Each setting adds much to the overall story. (8/10)
Special Effects: Some of the effects are brilliant, but too many are so clearly CGI it takes all what the first series had to make it special. (5/10)

Suggestion: This is one for the fans only, no casual fan will enjoy this too much as the characters are all too similar and hard to tell a part. (Fans Watch)

 

Best Part: Smaug battle

Worst Part: So long.

Action Scene Of The Film: Smaug battle.

Believability: No (0/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Chances of Sequel: Final chapter out at the end of the year.

Post Credits Scene: No

 

Oscar Chances: Nominated for 3 Awards

Box Office: $949,946,593

Runtime: 2 Hours 41Minutes

Tagline: Beyond darkness … beyond desolation…lies the greatest danger of all.

 

Overall: Fans Fantasy Adventure Only

Rating 

Director: Brandon Vietti

Writer: Michael Ryan (Screenplay)

Starring: (Voice Talents) Mindy Cohn, Grey DeLisle, Matthew Lillard, Frank Welker, Paul Levesque, Glenn Jacobs, Mike ‘The Miz’ Mizanin, John Cena, Vince McMahon

 

Plot: When Shaggy and Scooby win tickets to Wrestlemania, the entire gang travels in the Mystery Machine to WWE City to attend the epic event. However, when a mysterious ghostly bear appears and threatens to ruin the show. Scooby, Shaggy, Velma, Daphne and Fred work with WWE superstars to solve the case.

 

Verdict: Entertaining crossover

Story: It is hard not to love this as I am a huge fan of Scooby Doo and Wrestling so the mix works well for me. The Scooby investigation is like always throwing up a number of suspects that you have to figure out the truth along with the gang. The WWE superstars join the investigations to good effect adding a few laughs. (8/10)

 

Character Review: Shaggy – As always the hunger chicken runs around with his pal Scooby getting himself into trouble. (8/10)

Character Review: Scooby – After he wins the dance contest on the computer he gets invited and causes all sorts of trouble in WWE city. (8/10)

Character Review: Fred – Always up for trying a new piece of technology Fred gets to try his new camera and constantly annoys everyone with the flash. (8/10)

Character Review: Daphne – Thinks wrestling is stupid until she meets John Cena and gets a crush on him. (7/10)

Character Review: Velma – Understands the technology of what is going on but doesn’t seem important to this investigation. (6/10)

Character Review: John Cena – Helps the gang out by saving the day every time they end up in any sort of trouble. (7/10)

Character Review: Sin Cara – Yes Sin Cara is an important character in a film. Doesn’t say a word, but quiet funny. (7/10)

Director Review: Brandon Vietti – Good direction entering his first Scooby adventure after years doing Batman films. (8/10)

 

Animation: Typical fun Scooby adventure really. (8/10)

Family: Good family film to watch pre-Wrestlemania (8/10)

Music: Bit disappoint with the lack of catchy musical numbers, they only use some entrance music. (5/10)

Believability: No (0/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Settings: A fun setting used WWE City a fictional city where the wrestlers learn their trade surrounded by a creepy forest perfect for Scooby adventure. (8/10)

 

Suggestion: If you are a fan of either you should watch this, it’s all good fun. (Fans Watch)

 

Best Part: AJ training Scooby and Shaggy

Worst Part: Weird choice of Superstars.

Funniest Scene: AJ training

Oscar Chances: No

Chances of Sequel: No, but the Scooby franchise will return.

 

Overall: A good fun Scooby Doo adventure

Rating 

Main Cast: Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Chandler Riggs, Danai Gurira, Melissa McBride, Emily Kinney, Chad L Coleman, Sonequa Martin-Green, Lawrence Gilliard Jr, Michael Cudlitz, Josh McDermitt, Christian Serratos, Alanna Masterson

 

Plot: Part two of this season is pretty simple and slow for the fans. It follows the group after they have all been separated by the Governor’s (David Morrissey) attack. Each episode shows each group try to figure out what to do next and having found a sign they all head to a place called Terminus.

 There Will Be Spoilers From Here on

Season Highlights: For me this part of the season really works on trying to develop the characters because beforehand we knew very little about the character pre-outbreak. We see Carl (Riggs) step up to take care of his injured father, Michonne (Gurira) break out of her broken state to become friendlier. Daryl (Reedus) become a father like figure for Beth (Kinney) before knowing what it is too lose somebody he let in. We follow Glenn (Yeun) help Tara (Masterson) and go up against new characters Sgt Abraham Ford (Cudlitz), Dr Eugene Porter (McDermitt) and Rosita (Serratos) while trying to find his wife Maggie (Cohan). Maggie twists Sasha (Martin-Green) and Bob (Gilliard Jr) into going to Terminus in hope of find Glenn. Leaving Tyreese (Coleman) and Carol (McBride) playing babysitters even though we know she killed his partner. Each group learns more about each other while struggling to survive the Walkers.

 

Verdict: Slow Smart Chapter

 

Season Story: Let’s face it not much happens, but we still wanted to know what was happening. The tease of anticipation leading up to Terminus keeps us guessing and when they finally start making it there what will happen. We end up having to deal with that next season but the build was nice and kept us involved throughout. (9/10)

 

Main Cast Reviews

 

Andrew Lincoln: Rick having been wounded in the his fight with the Governor he must rely on Carl before making a new enemy trying to protect him and the group he is with. Rick goes through a change in this part of the season and now he simply won’t take any prisoners. (9/10)

 

Norman Reedus: Daryl the fan favourite ends up playing daddy for Beth and while it looks like he starts going soft it is only after he loses her we see the old Daryl return. Daryl has always been a bit of a mystery and we learn more about his past without letting him do what he does best. (8/10)

Steven Yeun: Glenn, he gets stuck in the prison after the attack while he helps Tara escape he is injured and ends up being take on a trip before walking back to find Maggie with a few new friends. Glenn thinks too much with his heart this time round which could end up having getting everyone in trouble. (8/10)

 

Lauren Cohan: Maggie after finding the bus she can’t find Glenn and puts herself and her group in danger while desperately trying to find Glenn, leaving a trail for him to follow to Terminus could she have just marked the path for their own death? (7/10)

 

Chandler Riggs: Carl having to look after Rick, he bonds with Michonne but ends up spending the time watching how Rick slowly starts to change as well as dealing with the idea that he could go too far one day. Carl is underused for the second part but it could show to be important for future seasons.(6/10)

 

Danai Gurira: Michonne after the attack she turns back into the lone drifter before looking at what she has become and finds the Grimes’ and opens up more about her past and what made her the way she became. This part could have ruined her but only ended up making her much more important to each of the characters. (8/10)

 

Melissa McBride: Carol appears to help Tyreese with the children; she ends up having the most shocking moment in the season and even the whole show. She ends up making a difference after being outcast; she may well end up being the saviour. (9/10)

 

Emily Kinney: Beth struggling with grieving her father’s death she has to keep up with Daryl before being able to get him to let her in. She only goes and gets herself kidnapped and we don’t know what happened to her. (7/10)

 

Action: The zombie bashing is always good when it happens. (9/10)

Horror: Good horror theme continuing where it left off. (9/10)

Thriller: Always keeps you on the edge of your seat. (10/10)

Settings: Being stuck in the woods creates very tense feeling throughout. (9/10)
Special Effects: Always have fantastic special effects. (10/10)

Suggestion: Just watch the whole show it is thrilling from start to finish and always leaves you with questions. (Watch)

 

Best Episode: ‘The Grove’ Episode 14 followed closely by ‘A’ episode 16

Worst Episode: ‘Still’ Episode 12

Action Scene Of The Season: Fight between Rick and Joe gang.

Surprise Of The Season: Lizzie death

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Chances of New Season: Hell yes

Cliff Hanger Scene: What is going to happen to the guys?

What to Look Forward to Next Season: Learning more about Terminus, Finding Beth and potential being left to guess who will be killed off next.

 

Overall: Brilliant Building Up Season

Rating 

Director: Brian De Palma

Writer: Brian De Palma(Screenplay)

Starring: John Lithgow, Lolita Davidovich, Steven Bauer, Frances Sternhagen, Gregg Henry, Tom Bower

 

Plot: Jenny Nix (Davidovich), wife of eminent child psychologist Carter Nix (Lithgow), becomes increasingly concerned about her husband’s seemingly obsessive concern over the upbringing of their daughter. Her own adulterous affair with an old flame, however, causes her to neglect her motherly duties until a spate of local kidnappings forces her to accept the possibility that he may be trying to recreate the twisted mind control experiments of his discredited psychologist father.

 

Verdict: A smart psychological thriller

Story: We learn very fast about different mind sets of John Lithgow’s characters with a full range that we have to work out which ones are real and which is just part of his mind. We also deal with the idea a loving wife will cheat on her husband with an old flame. This only leads to his mind cracking more leading to his decisions that will villainies him. We are left guessing what the true plan is who the real man is and will he get away with it? (9/10)

 

Actor Review: John Lithgow – Playing five personalities with a full range we follow him through all of the problems. This is a brilliant performance showing how easily John can flick between multiply personalities without breaking from a performance. Star Performance Award, Scariest Character Award (10/10)

 

Actor Review: Lolita Davidovich – Jenny the loving wife that is quite willing to cheat on him but questions what he is up too. Good performance with some real fight in. (8/10)

 

Director Review: Brian De Palma – Great suspense build throughout from a true master of the genre. (9/10)

 

Crime: With all the crimes being committed the lack of focus on the police investigation takes away from some of the crime side. (8/10)

Thriller: As we just don’t know which personality we are watching it makes for great viewing for the thriller side of things. (9/10)

Believability: The problems the main character goes through are real but how far he goes might not be. (2/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Settings: The settings are good but offer little to really expand the story. (7/10)

 

Suggestion: I think all thriller fans will enjoy this, but I feel that many people will think it has aged. I think it should be watched but it should at least be tried by all. (Try It)

 

Best Part: Cain Character.

Worst Part: Jenny is very unlikable.

Oscar Chances: No

Chances of Sequel: No

Similar Too: Identity

 

Overall: Great thriller to watch in the right mind

Rating 

Director: Eric Heisserer

Writer: Eric Heisserer (Screenplay)

Starring: Paul Walker, Genesis Rodriguez, Nancy Nave, Shane Jacobsen, Natalia Safran, TJ Hassan, Lena Clark

 

Plot: When Nolan Hayes (Walker) wife Abigail (Rodriguez) goes into early labour Nolan rushes to a hospital but after she dies Nolan is left to look after his new infant daughter during Hurricane Katrina. Left in the hospital on his own he must fend for himself and keep his baby’s life support running with no power.

 

Verdict: A thrilling race against time

Story: With the backdrop of a real event that we all know the severalty of comes an against time piece which uses the loss of power to its advantage. The hero can’t leave the area due to loss of power making it about his survival with no sleep to save his new baby and dealing with the loss of his wife. This really is an edge of your seat film that keeps your attention from start to finish. (9/10)

 

Actor Review: Paul Walker – Nolan a man who has lost his wife but gained a new baby, stuck inside a hospital trying to keep his new baby alive. I have always thought Paul Walker as a great assembled cast member and had never seen him lead a film solo to the level you would need to be able to perform. This film changed that this is his best performance of his career. Star Performance Award, Favourite Character Award (10/10)

 

Director Review: Eric Heisserer – Creates a great tension filled thriller on his debut behind the camera, keep up the work I want to see what is next. (9/10)

 

Drama: The drama of just surviving creates everything without it being violent just simple need to do the basics. (9/10)

Thriller: Edge of the seat throughout. (9/10)

Believability: The events that happened during the storm could really have happened. (8/10)

Chances of Tears: There is a chance of tears by the end. (5/10)

Settings: Be it during or after the hurricane and being trapped in the hospital makes this out to be a great setting for isolation proving he can’t go far. (10/10)

 

Suggestion: I would be suggest this to anyone who enjoys a good non-violent thriller it will keep you entertained and if you watch it you will see one of the best performances in a long time. (Watch)

 

Best Part: The visions, conversations he has with his dead wife.

Oscar Chances: No

Chances of Sequel: No

Similar Too: Buried, Brake

 

Overall: A brilliant thriller that keeps you wanting more

Rating 

Director: BJ McDonnell

Writer: Adam Green (Screenplay) Adam Green (Characters)

Starring: Danielle Harris, Kane Hodder, Zach Galligan, Caroline Williams, Parry Shen, Robert Diago DoQui, Derek Mears, Cody Blue Snider, Rileah Vanderbilt

 

Plot: Picking up right where Hatchet 2 finishes Marybeth (Harris) thinks she has finally got rid of Victor Crowley (Hodder). She heads back to town with proof he is finally dead. She turns up in the police station with a gun and a scalp, being arrested by Sheriff Fowler (Galligan, Yes the kid from Gremlins) she has to convince him that what happened was real.

 

With a Police team, paramedics and a SWAT team lead by Hawes (Mears) looking for dead bodies, but Victor Crowley is back and this time he wants his biggest body count yet. An ambitious but disgraced reporter Amanda (Williams) is trying to uncover the truth. Marybeth, Amanda and Deputy Winslow (Diago DoQui) head back out to the swamp to end it all forever.

 

Verdict: Special Effects Bloodbath

 

Story: The first one told us the legend, the second one told the history, and this one comes full circle and offers the solution. We do follow two stories one offers a more serious story element telling how they can stop Crowley for good, while the other is just used to create a body count. While it is more of the same from the first two, it is simple enough to follow and for gore fans it is just plan enjoyable. (7/10)

 

Actor Reviews

 

Danielle Harris: Marybeth the blood soaked heroine who has to take down Victor Crowley once and for all. Good performance that really shows that she is a modern day scream queen. (8/10)

 

Kane Hodder: Victor Crowley the disfigured monster who just can’t be stopped. Kane is made to play the monster on the screen. (7/10)

Zach Galligan: Sheriff Fowler who doesn’t believe in the Victor Crowley legend and goes to find out what is happening with his team. Good from Zach showing he makes a good addition to any horror film. (7/10)

 

Caroline Williams: Amanda a Victor Crowley believer who wants to find out the truth to bring credit back to her work. Good performance in a character that takes over the story telling part of the film. (7/10)

 

Parry Shen:Andrew a paramedic who gets scared easily. Parry has been in all three films now and if you watched the first two you know what happens to him, the wait is on. (7/10)

 

Director Review: BJ McDonnell – Good direction to create a blood soaked horror film. (8/10)

 

Action: The action comes fast and in your face. (8/10)

Horror: Blood, gore, body count what more could you ask for in a horror? (9/10)

 

Settings: The swamp again but this time it doesn’t use it as well as previous films. (7/10)
Special Effects: No CGI effects make the special effects for the death brilliant. (10/10)

Suggestion: You have seen the first two, you have to watch the third one. You like gore watch. If you don’t like horror or gore don’t go near it. (Horror Fans Only)

 

Best Part: The special effects.

Worst Part: Short film again.

Action Scene Of The Film: SWAT, Police versus Victor Crowley.

Funniest Scene: A surprise cameo.

Kill Of The Film: Schneiderman

Believability: No way over the top. (0/10)

Chances of Tears: (0/10)

Chances of Sequel: Always

Post Credits Scene: No

 

Awards: None

Oscar Chances: No

Runtime: 81Minutes

Trivia:Two former Jason Voorhees actors Kane Hodder and Derek Mears.

 

Overall: Blood Bath Gore Modern Horror Fun

Rating 

Director: Harold Becker

Writer: Lewis Colick (Screenplay) Lewis Colick, William S Comanor, Gary Drucker (Story)

Starring: John Travolta, Matt O’Leary, Teri Polo, Vince Vaughn, Steve Buscemi

 

Plot: A divorced father Frank Morrison (Travolta) discovers that his ex-wife Susan (Polo) new husband Rick Barnes (Vaughn) is not who he claims to be. To protect his son Danny (O’Leary) Frank must uncover the truth before it is too late.

 

Verdict: Thriller close to home

Story: On paper this sounds like another version of ‘The Stepfather’ and in a way it is. Instead of just being the child’s struggle against the evil stepfather we also see the father’s struggle to prove who he really is. The build-up also includes the idea the child is a well-known liar when things don’t go his way. All this comes together to make a good story but one that really will be on that doesn’t stick in the memory. (7/10)

 

Actor Review: John Travolta – Frank Danny’s father who wants to just stand back at let his ex-wife move on but after Danny witness something he can’t rest until he knows the truth. Solid performance from Travolta which is the best of the lot. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Vince Vaughn – Rick the new stepfather with a secret he is trying to keep safe but once it gets exposed he tries everything in his power to keep it quiet. Vince had a tendency to play villainous roles before he became the wise cracking funny man he is now and this shows he can pull it off. (8/10)

Actor Review: Matt O’Leary – Danny the young boy who is the centre of all the trouble in the film, lies to stop something happening he doesn’t like and never really dealt with his parents’ divorce. Good performance from the young star showing he can stand toe to toe with bigger name actors. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Teri Polo – Susan Danny’s mother who remarries but fails to see through him until it is too late. Good performance as the character would have to fall for all of Rick’s charm. (7/10)

 

Director Review: Harold Becker – Good direction but the final fight is a bit too dark to be effective. (7/10)

 

Crime: Watching how reluctant the cops are to help the situation shows how poor they are to the crime story. (6/10)

Thriller: It feels very edge of seat from the moment we learn about Rick’s past but never pulls in all it could. (8/10)

Believability: It would be scary as it could be real but not as far as it is. (3/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Settings: The settings used as good but don’t add enough to the story. (8/10)

Suggestion: it is a short thriller so it could be enjoyed by most as it wouldn’t take up much of your time. It is easy enough to watch too. (Try It)

 

Best Part: The end is good.

Worst Part: The cops.

Trivia: Vince Vaughn, Steve Buscemi were involved in a bar brawl during the filming.

Oscar Chances: No

Chances of Sequel: No

Similar Too: The Stepfather

 

Overall: Thriller that will hit hard at home

Rating 

Harold Becker