Tag: 2012

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Movie Review

Here Comes the Boom (2012) Movie Review

Here Comes the Boom – Movie Review

Discover Here Comes the Boom - a comedy film featuring Kevin James as a biology teacher turned MMA fighter. Read the review now!

ABC Film Challenge – Comedy – H

Director: Frank Coraci (The Wedding Singer)

Writer: Allan Loeb, Kevin James, Rock Reuben (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A high-school biology teacher looks to become a successful mixed martial arts fighter in an effort to raise money to prevent extracurricular activities from being axed at his cash-strapped school.

Runtime: 1 Hour 45 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Here Comes the Boom starts when bored high school teacher Scott Voss (James) decides to stand up for a fellow teacher. Mary Streb (Winkler) the music teacher is about to see his department cut by Principal Betcher (Germann). Scott steps in to try and find a way to make money and turns to UFC fighting to make the money.

However, he has no experience and one of his night school students agrees to train him. He faces a race to get prepared so he can make enough money to save his friend’s job. But how much will it take out of him?

Verdict on Here Comes the Boom

Here Comes the Boom is an action comedy following a high school teacher who takes up mixed martial arts fights to help the school with funds. He must learn how to fight, which unlocks something new from his life.

This is a comedy that dives into the comedic world of sports, while having a strong meaning to do the right thing. Some of the comedy misses and it does feel more like a parody of ‘Warrior’. However, the reason behind the fight is important and shows that people can do the right thing to help people. It ends up being a harmless comedy instead of one which could offend people.

Where to Watch

JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Here Comes the Boom is a nice comedy about doing the right thing.

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Movie Review

Silent Hill Revelation (2012) Movie Review

Silent Hill Revelation – ABC Film Challenge – Video Games – R – Movie Review

Silent Hill Revelation – ABC Film Challenge – Video Games – R – Silent Hill Revelation - Movie Review

Director: M.J. Bassett

Writer: M.J. Bassett (Screenplay)

Writer: Hiroyuki Owaku (Story)

Cast

Plot: When her adoptive father disappears, Sharon Da Silva is drawn into a strange and terrifying alternate reality that holds answers to the horrific nightmares that have plagued her since childhood.

Runtime: 1 Hour 35 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Silent Hill Revelation starts on the eve of Sharon (Clemens) is now about to turn 18. Her nightmares have started returning, and her father Henry (Bean) has kept her safe since she escaped Silent Hill.

When Henry is taken back to Silent Hill, Sharon must look into her past as she learns about the Order who have come searching for her. She is joined by Vincent (Harington) as they head there, but Sharon learns about her past and why Silent Hill wants her back.

Verdict on Silent Hill Revelation

Silent Hill Revelation is the sequel to the popular horror mystery movie. It follows a nearly 18-year-old Sharon as her nightmares have returned. She has spent her life on the run with her father and now they must return to defeat a new threat. However, more nightmares are waiting there for them.

This one does pull away from the pure atmosphere the first one created. However, it makes up by bringing a host of different nightmare creatures from the games. Despite having excellent creatures, we have the strange story decision to return knowing the dangers. The movie might not have as tight of a story, but it still ends up being one of the better video game movies.

Final Thoughts – Silent Hill Revelation is a fun horror sequel, with amazing nightmare creatures.

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Movie Review

She Wants Me (2012) Movie Review

She Wants Me – Movie Review

Get ready for a wild ride in 'She Wants Me' movie. Follow the story of a writer caught between his girlfriend and an A-list actress vying for the same role.

Director: Rob Margolies

Writer: Rob Margolies (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A neurotic writer working on his new film gets into a tricky situation when an A-list actress shows interest in the role intended for his girlfriend.

Runtime: 1 Hour 25 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: She Wants Me starts when Sam (Gad) and his girlfriend Sammy (Ruhlin) move to LA. Sam has just made his first movie and hopes to make a more successful one, while Sammy chases her dream of being an actress. He has been working on his latest project and wants to cast Sammy in the lead role. However, his agent has other ideas and wants to cast a more established star Kim Powers (Duff) in the role.

Sam gets conflicted with what is best, as he knows the bigger star name could give the movie eyes on it. But he wants to support his girlfriend, whose ex-husband John (Messner) moves in with them to help with their financial burdens.  Sam must decide what is best for him and how to be honest with his girlfriend.

Verdict on She Wants Me

She Wants Me is a comedy following a couple with dreams of making it in LA. However, their relationship is tested when he gets a new offer, and she gets a chance further away. Add in her ex-husband moving in, their lives become complicated, and their relationship is tested like never before.

This movie shows the difficulties in any relationship. It uses the different dreams that open opportunities across the country to make things difficult. This has laughs and heart along the way, which work well for telling their struggles. It plays into the idea of not wanting to be selfish and letting their partner have the best life. We get strong performances and an overall enjoyable comedy.

Where to Watch

On-Demand and Digital: October 1

Final Thoughts – She Wants Me is an enjoyable feel-good movie.

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Movie Review

The Vow (2012) Movie Review

The Vow – Movie Review

Read our review of 'The Vow', a touching romance where Leo must win back his wife's heart after a car accident erases her memory.

ABC Film Challenge – Romance – V

Director: Michael Sucsy (Every Day)

Writer: Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein, Jason Katims (Screenplay)

Writer: Stuart Sender (Story)

Cast

Plot: A car accident puts Paige in a coma, and when she wakes up with severe memory loss, her husband Leo works to win her heart again.

Runtime: 1 Hour 44 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Vow starts when Paige (McAdams) and Leo (Tatum) are involved in a car accident. Paige loses her memory and Leo must win her heart again. He dives into his memories of their life before the accident, as he looks to prove his love to her again.

However, Paige’s parents Rita (Lange) and Bill (Neill) have different plans for Paige. It makes Leo’s life more difficult as he fails to connect in the same way he did before. As Paige only remembers her life from the time before they met, with a former fiancé.

Verdict on The Vow

The Vow is a romantic drama following a man trying to help his wife remember their life together. However, she doesn’t remember their life together and the two lives get torn apart. It sees how far he goes but is left to decide what would be best for them both.

This movie shows the challenges a couple have after an accident. It shows the devotion one shows toward the other while trying to help regain her memory. All while proving that life can be difficult and sometimes the right thing is the hardest part. It offers a chance to regain the magic of first love, even if it means risking everything and losing the one you love the most.

Where to Watch

JustWatch

Final Thoughts – The Vow is a nice story about remembering love.

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Movie Review

Think Like a Man (2012) Movie Review

Think Like a Man Movie Review: Get to Know Its Stars

ABC Film Challenge – Romance – K (Kevin Hart)

Think Like a Man Movie Review: Get to Know Its Stars

Director: Tim Story

Writer: Keith Merryman, David A Newman, Steve Harvey (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Four friends conspire to turn the tables on their women when they discover the ladies have been using Steve Harvey’s relationship advice against them.

Runtime: 2 Hours 3 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Think Like a Man starts when a group of guys, Cedric (Hart), Dominic (Ealy), Jeremy (Ferrara), Michael (Jenkins), Zeke (Malco) and Bennett (Owen) discuss their problems with women. Some are dealing with marriage problems, others divorce and others not meeting women.

However, they discover Steve Harvey released a book explaining what men want. He has gifted women the secrets to controlling their men, and they decide to use it against them. Can the guys figure it out before it is too late and keep the women they have fallen for?

Verdict on Think Like a Man

Think Like a Man is a romantic comedy following a group of men trying to win the hearts of women. However, they find themselves trying to stay ahead of their women after they learn about a book the women are using against them.

This does create stereotypical characters, but it works because of the book they are working with. It is meant to put people in brackets and show them how important their lives are. The cast bring the laughs throughout the film and the deeper meaning that people don’t fall into brackets comes out. However, it does feel like we have one too many characters to give everyone a chance to shine. It proves that people will always be different to what it looks and being honest is the most important thing.

Where to Watch

JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Think Like a Man is an enjoyable romantic comedy with a strong cast throughout.

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Movie Review

The Central Park Five (2012) Movie Review

The Central Park Five – ABC Film Challenge – Favourites – C – The Central Park Five – Movie Review

Central Park Five

Director: Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, David McMahon

Plot: A documentary that examines the 1989 case of five black and Latino teenagers who were convicted of raping a white woman in Central Park. After having spent between 6 and 13 years each in prison, a serial rapist confessed to the crime.

Runtime: 1 Hour 59 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on The Central Park Five

The Central Park Five is a documentary following the startling poorly trialled case of five teenagers accused of rape. They were put in prison after being forced into confessing leading to a high-profile trial.

This is widely considered one of the worst cases of all time and we get to see how the now man have tried to start their own lives. It shows how they reflect on what they went through and understand they were taken advantage of.

This documentary explores the whole trial, the prison sentences and the real criminal getting found guilty. The fact we see the horrendous methods used to find them guilty proved that the news side of things can’t be the ones push for things to get finished quickly.

We have gone on to see other versions of this story and the awareness of how to be the treatment of people is shown. It is a must-watch for people who want to see the justice system in play.

Final Thoughts – The Central Park Five is an important documentary.

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Movie Review

Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) Movie Review

Beasts of the Southern Wild – ABC Film Challenge – Oscar Nominations – Q (Quvenzhane Wallis) – Beasts of the Southern Wild – Movie Review

Beasts of the Southern Wild – ABC Film Challenge – Oscar Nominations – Q (Quvenzhane Wallis) – Beasts of the Southern Wild - Movie Review

Director: Benh Zeitlin

Writer: Lucy Alibar, Benh Zeitlin (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Faced with both her hot-tempered father’s fading health and melting ice-caps that flood her ramshackle bayou community and unleash ancient aurochs, six-year-old Hushpuppy must learn the ways of courage and love.

Runtime: 1 Hour 33 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Beasts of the Southern Wild starts as we meet young Hushpuppy (Wallis) who lives with her father Wink (Henry). They live in a small shack in a bayou where the community looks out for each other. When her dad finds himself struggling with his own demons, Hushpuppy becomes concerned for her father and the world’s safety.

However, when their home gets washed away, Hushpuppy travels with her father and the community to find a new home away from the dangers of the world. Along the way, she must learn to understand the difference between reality and the fantasies running through her mind.

Verdict on Beasts of the Southern Wild

Beasts of the Southern Wild is an adventure drama following a young girl trying to understand her life after a life-changing series of events. It sees her quiet life with a tight community turned upside down by a storm and the truth about her future with her father.

This is a drama showing how life can be seen in pure innocence from a younger person. It shows they must overcome their fears when their life gets tough. All while showing the consequences small communities must face with climate change. This has everything a powerful story needs to tell and shows how some people must grow up faster than expected.

Final Thoughts – Beasts of the Southern Wild is powerful and emotional.

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Movie Review

The Millionaire Tour (2012) Movie Review

The Millionaire Tour – Movie Review

Millioanire Tour

Director: Inon Shampanier

Writer: Inon Shampanier, Natalie Shampanier (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A man takes a cab from LAX. A couple gets in as well and he finds out what a millionaire tour is: they take his valuables and stop at ATMs until his credit cards max out. Who is he? Twists follow.

Runtime: 1 Hour 24 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Millionaire Tour starts when Sammy (Gomez) picks up Greg (Belfi) from the airport. However, after an accident, the pair agree to help Casper (Monaghan) and Billie (Bruckner). As the four travel, Casper and Billie hijack the ride to force Greg to withdraw his money from ATMs.

When the journey sees Casper starting to lose his temper, it becomes a battle of wits to see who can make it out alive. However, the truth offers up plenty of mystery as to why Greg was selected.

Verdict on The Millionaire Tour

The Millionaire Tour is an action thriller following a traveller who finds himself drawn into a larger con around the big city. However, not everything is as it seems, as the carjackers start making him withdraw his life savings.

This is a short and sweet thriller that keeps us the intensity as we see how far the carjackers will go. It shows us how the con happens and how things can get out of control. We are left to wonder where things will end up going and are left with plenty of twists along the way.

Final Thoughts –The Millionaire Tour is a nice little thriller.

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Movie Review

The Liability (2012) Movie Review

The Liability – Movie Review

Liability

Director: Craig Viveiros

Writer: John Wrathall (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: When 19-year-old Adam agrees to do a day’s driving for his mum’s gangster boyfriend Peter, it takes him on a 24-hour journey into a nightmarish world of murder, sex trafficking and revenge, in the company of ageing hitman Roy.

Runtime: 1 hour 22 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Liability starts when reckless teenager Adam (O’Connell) finds himself in trouble with his mum’s gangster boyfriend Peter (Mullan). He is forced to pay him back, with his first job being to drive hitman Roy (Roth) to his latest job.

When they get into the latest job, it sees things get out of control. A stranger (Riley) witnesses them trying to dispose of the body and now they must clean up loose ends.

Verdict on The Liability

The Liability is a crime comedy following a hapless teenager that gets caught up in a criminal underworld with his step-father. He must help a hitman on his latest job, only for things to spiral out of control for the both of them.

This is a movie that follows a typical formula as we see a hitman needing to work with an amateur. It is clear things won’t go smoothly and it turns into a cat-n-mouse battle between the people involved. This is done in a fun way, without getting too far out of hand. Tim Roth and Jack O’Connell work very well together, bringing the laughs when needed without being a full-blown comedy.

Final Thoughts – The Liability is a wacky crime comedy.