“Sisters” Review

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are back at it again this time as “Sisters” in the latest film by Universal Pictures.

The Ellis sister’s, Kate and Maura are out to throw one more killer party before their parents sell their childhood home, but with one difference, mild mannered, Maura (Poehler) is the one to have a wild night while Kate (Fey) is the party mom.  It is full on, Ellis Island reunited as they invite all of their class of 89 friends and foes in what is sure to be the party of the year and reek havoc on the dreams of the new owners, but things change when Maura and Kate’s parent show up with a bigger surprise for Kate.

At just under a two hour run time, Sisters is a hilarious comedy that will have everyone laughing from the first scene on.  The film also stars  James Brolin and  Dianne Wiest as the ‘Sisters’ aging parents as well as  John Cena,  John Leguizamo, Madison Davenport and Heather Matarazzo.

Sisters came out in theaters December 18, and thus far has earned over nearly 70 million worldwide.  See it now in a theater near you.

Lucas Has Done it again

From the creativity of Lucasfilm, comes an epic sequel that was long overdue for Star Wars fans and thus set an all time record for its opening weekend debut.  Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens brought in over 238 million domestically with another 279 million Worldwide making it top grossing of all time and knocking Jurassic World to the number 2 top grossing spot.

It was expected as fans began to line up weeks ahead in anticipation and they were not disappointed.  The Force Awakens picks up three decades after Episode Six.  The Republic has fallen into the control of The First Order who attempts to control the entire galaxy, but the resistance fights back while trying to find Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and the last of the Jedi.

The cast reunites  Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) and Chewbacca ( Peter Mayhew) as they lead a new generation including Rey (Daisy Ridley), a scavenger from Jakku, who knows very little about her past, but is destined to hold the coveted Jedi sword as she battles the new dark apprentice, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) in order to destroy the new “death star”, with the help of her new friends, a defected storm trooper, Finn (John Boyega) and a resistance soldier, Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), but will she be able to save the galaxy and find Luke Skywalker?

With a runtime of 135 minutes, The Force Awaken, will truly be a pleasure for all Star Wars Fans as old friends reunite with new ones with just one goal to save the galaxy and restore order amidst chaos.  It’s packed with hours of adventure through the galaxy as well as a bit of romance that in true fashion will have everyone sitting on the edge of their seats as they discover the secrets and truths of their most beloved characters.

Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens is playing exclusively at any theater near you.  Don’t be the last to see it.  You’ll regret it.

“The Chipmunks” Are Back

In their fourth installment, the chipmunks return to the big screen with one goal, as always to save Dave, this time from proposing.  With the voice talents of Jason Long as Alvin, Matthew Gray Gubler as Simon and Jesse McCartney as Theodore, as well as  Jason Lee returning as Dave Seville, Alvin and The Chipmunks: The Road Chip, will have you laughing, crying and cheering for those lovable Chipmunks from the first minute on screen to the last heart warming scene as Dave is faced with a life changing decision that no one sees coming.

The film also brings back, their female counterparts, the Chipettes voiced by Christina Applegate (Brittney), Kaley Cuoco (Eleanor) and Anna Faris (Janette) though this is truly a journey for the Chipmunks as they try to keep dave from proposing to his new girlfriend, Samantha (Kimberly Williams- Paisley), in order to keep from gaining a terrible step-brother (Josh Green).

Overall, The Road Chip is full of family friendly laughs, adventure and of course great musical performances as they travel from Hollywood to Miami, on the greatest trip of their lives that will ultimately be the best decision that Dave has ever made.

At 1 hour 26 minutes, it’s a great movie for families and anyone who wants to get away from the mob of Star Wars Fans this weekend.   Though Star Wars: The Force Awakens is expected to take top at the box office this weekend, it’ll be a close race to see if Fox will beat Universal for the number two spot.

Nonetheless, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip is playing at a theater near you.

“Mockingjay” Prevails

The much anticipated finale, adapted from the Hunger Games trilogy, by Suzanne Collins, is giving the James Bond sequel a run at the box office, as it’s estimated to bring in roughly 46 million for its opening day.

Mockingjay — Part 2 picks up right where Part 1 leaves us with Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) leading the rebellion against the capitol.   Crowds packed the theater, opening night, November 19th and were fully engulfed in the adventure, suspense and drama of the book brought to an epic end on the big screen.

Mockingjay: Part 2 reunites Lawrence with her sister Primrose ( Willow Shields) as well as Peta Mallark (Josh Hutcherson) and Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) as they join all twelve districts together in order to preserve the future.

All in all, the film doesn’t disappoint and all are highly encouraged to see the epic blockbuster of the year.  Mockingjay: Part 2 is currently playing at a theater near you.

Hero Defies Odds

Based on the true story of college football star, who leads his team to the championship and then faces a life altering condition just weeks before the Sugar Bowl championship.

My All American stars  Finn Wittrock  as Freddie Steinmark, the hero both on and off the football field,  Sarah Bolger as his girlfriend, Linda, who stands behind him through triumph and tragedy and  Aaron Eckhart as the coach who see potential in a hard working boy with limited money for college.

Overall, it’s a story that will have you routing for the underdog from college acceptance to injury and conquer.  Very well done story, it captures the struggle of a true hero in the eyes of college football as well as the camaraderie of a football team, when one of their own faces tragedy.

My All American opens in theaters November 13 and a must see for everyone.

Comic Strip comes the the Big Screen

From the colorful pages of a Sunday morning paper to the big screen, the world of Charles Schultz comes to life in The Peanuts Movie.  The movie features all the classics including Lucy, Linus, Schroeder, Sally, Marcie, Peppermint Patty, and of course Charlie Brown and follows the journey of Charlie Brown as he navigates his life and try to not make a fool of himself in front of the little red hair girl.

In true Charlie Brown form, The Peanuts Movie lives up to its name, without straying from the story.  It finds ways to incorporate all of what made the Peanuts comic strip popular.  The characters are still who they are and the stories are still in the movie.  Linus is still holding on to his blanket while running from Sally, Lucy is still in love with Schroeder and Marcie is still looking out for Peppermint Patty who is still in love with Charlie Brown who is in love with the little red hair girl and of course, the War World one Flying Ace (Snoopy) is still hunting the Red Baron.

The Peanuts movie comes out November 6 in theaters near you, coinciding with its 65th Anniversary of the comic strip and the 50th Anniversary of the Christmas special this December, fans won’t be disappointed.  The movie is great for all ages and brings the humor of Charles Schultz to a new generation, while keeping devoted fans happy by not straying from the original story line.

At an hour and a half runtime, it’s sure to be a hit at the box office for families.

“Truth” Questions Everything

The newsroom drama starring Robert Redford, Dennis Quaid and Cate Blanchett is drawing faithful news and movie goers to the theaters with a documentary style movie about the 60 minutes report that put News Anchor Dan Rathers’ and Producer Mary Mapes’ careers in jeopardy as they uncovered what they believed to be the truth about former President George Bush’s military career in the 70’s.  The story follows the investigation and shows the challenges that news reporters face on a daily basis when dealing with tough politics as well as the backlash that comes with the questions that all journalist’s must ask to uncover the truth. Overall, it is a powerful movie about getting to the bottom in order to find the truth and the actor’s did a fantastic job in portraying their counterparts.  Truth came out on October 16, in limited theaters and considering the challenges, it ranked 16 at the box office its opening weekend and currently has earned over 1.15 million in domestic revenues. As good as Redford’s, All The President’s Men, which came out in 1976 and follows the investigation into the Watergate Scandal, Truth is definitely another movie for anyone interested in US History as well as those pursuing a journalism career or currently in the News industry. Truth is still playing at select theaters near you.

“Pan” Reimagined

The classic tale of the boy who never grows up returns to the big screen in the latest prequel, “Pan“.  The fantasy blockbuster stars  Garrett Hedlund as Hook,  Hugh Jackman as Blackbeard,  Rooney Mara as Tiger Lily and newcomer, Levi Miller as Peter and follows the young boy on a journey from being abandoned at an orphanage as a baby to being kidnapped out of his bed twelve years later and whisked off to Neverland where he discovers his ultimate destiny.

Overall, the film has amazing special effects, from the first seen it pulls you into the story and keeps you there.  It does answer a lot of questions of how and why Peter ends up in Neverland. The story?  That’s a different case.  If you look at it as an alternative, it could be quite believable, but from the original Peter Pan standpoint, there are a few minor alterations.

That being said, you should see it for yourself before making the final decision.  Pan opens October 9, in theaters and is a great action packed movie for all ages.

Sci Fi Overthrows Animation at the Box Office

Fox’s The Martian brought down the box office with a strong 54 million for its opening weekend and sent Sony’s Hotel Transylvania 2 to number two for its second week with 33 million.

The Action sci adventure based on the book by Andy Weir, The Martian, follows the story of an astronaut, Mark Watney (Matt Damon) who survives a dust storm, but that’s just the beginning because now he has to survive over 500 s0ls, until he can be rescued after his team leaves Mars, thinking he is dead.

It’s an action packed suspense film that will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering if the next moment is his last.

The Martian opened October 1, and also stars,  Jessica Chastain,  Jeff Daniels,  Kristen Wiig,  Michael Peña, and  Sean Bean.

See it now in a theater near you.

“Vacation” Reboot

The Griswald’s are back in a new generation of capers as the son tries to bring his family back together as they tackle the ultimate family “vacation” to the iconic Wallie World.  Filled with all new capers that will have everyone laughing from the first minute on, Vacation stars, Ed Helms as Rusty Griswold and his wife, Debbie (Christina Applegate) as they explore the most iconic locations including the Desert Hot springs as well as the Grand Canyon, along with saying high to his sister Audrey (Leslie Mann) and her conservative husband, Stone (Chris Hemworth).  Of course, no vacation is complete without the man who made the original, Chevy Chase, who made a cameo as well as Beverly D’Angelo.

Vacation is a must see for all National Lampoon’s Vacation fans.  It came out in theaters July 29, 2015 and has currently brought in over 58 million as of October 1st with over 14 million opening weekend.   It’s still playing at a theater near you and will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on November 3, 2015.