Tag: Review

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The “Pitches” Are On Top

universal’ssummer sequel, Pitch Perfect 2 had crowds flooding into the theaters on its debut weekend as it brought in over 69 million at the box office, while Disney’s Avengers dropped to the number 3 spot with nearly 39 million.

The musical sequel brings the Barden Bellas back with several returning cast including Anna Kendrick as Beca, Rebel Wilson as Fat Amy, Brittney Snow as Chloe and newcomer, Emily (Hailee Steinfeld) whose mother, (Katey Sagel) is a former  Bella legend and thus a legend to live up to.  The group has to regain their good name after a major indecent exposure in front of national TV which causes the Bellas to be suspended from any additional competitions.  Now it’s a battle of ultimate acappella style as the group attempts to win the World Acappella Championship and redeem their good name for the sake of future Bellas.

Pitch Perfect is a stunning movie of a different caliper as each voice has a unique sound that makes the groups blend into a performance well worth the time.  It is highly recommended for its voice, comedy and passion as the girls ultimately have a deeper connection that one can connect with regards to graduating college and entering the real world.  It’s a story of knowing one’s voice and living it to the fullest, with a group of close friends that will always have your back.

Pitch Perfect 2 is currently playing in a theater near you.

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Marvel overthrows Universal this weekend

For the first weekend in May, the latest Avengers sequel has stolen the crown from Universal’s Furious 7 coming in with the second highest opening weekend box office total.  The action heroes are back on stage this time to fight a robot villain named Ultron, who is determined to wipe out the Avengers all together.

The summer blockbuster reunites Robert Downey Jr as Ironman, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Muck Ruffalo as the Hulk, Chris Evans as Captain America Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye and James Spader as the Voice of Ultron and keeps you entertained from the first line to the last epic battle as the Avengers race to save themselves and earth from the clutches of Ultron.

At 2 hours and 21 minutes, it’s a movie is jam packed with ultimate 3D effects, fight scenes that are typical of superhero films, and even a hint of a romance looming, but don’t believe me, you’ve got to see it.  I can assure you; it should not disappoint.

Avengers: The Age Of Ultron is currently  playing in any theater near you and its first weekend alone,  brought in over 187 million while Furious 7 came in third  with just over 6 million.

 

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8 Minutes To Love

The latest Nicolas Sparks best seller, captures audiences’ attention on the big screen with not one but two love stories on different sides of the spectrum.  Professional Bull rider, Luke Collins falls in love with Art student Sophia and on the way home from their first date, rescue an older gentleman and his basket of letters from a fiery crash.  Luke and Sophia part ways because she is getting ready to make a big move to New York for her career despite their feelings, but this old man causes her to question her decision as she spends time reading his letters to him and learning of the love story of Ruth and Ira.

In traditional Nicolas Sparks form, The Longest Ride is a love story that captures the readers’ attention in a way that you don’t know what will happen next.  It’s full of suspense, action and passion as the two stories begin to mirror one another showing that true love can conquer anything.

Though it only made third place at the box office, it took in 13 million and it highly recommended to all fans of Sparks’ and of the romance genre.

The Longest Ride stars Scott Eastwood as the champion bull rider, Luke Collins and Britt Robertson as Sophia, the art student, as well as Alan Aida as the older man (Ira Levinson), Jack Huston as young Ira and Oona Chaplin as Young Ruth.

The movie is currently showing at a theater near you.

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Children’s Classic Come To Life

From a beloved story written in 1958 by Michael Bond, the little bear called Paddington has finally made his debut in theaters.  The motion picture is a fun loving tale of Paddington, who manages to find his way to London after losing his home and his family in the Darkest Peru.  He is looking for a home and the Brown’s decide to open their home as a temporary place.

Paddington is a fun movie for all ages, filled with adventure, suspense and in the end love for a little bear.  The movie opened in theaters on Friday January 16 and stars Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters and Nicole Kidman.

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“Into The Storm”: A Modern Day “Twister”

Produced and Distributed by Warner Brothers and New Line Cinema, Into the Storm opened August 8 and thus far as brought in over 31 million.
Produced and Distributed by Warner Brothers and New Line Cinema, Into the Storm opened August 8 and thus far as brought in over 31 million.

Loosely based on the 1996, blockbuster Twister, that starred Helen Hunt and and Bill Paxton, Into the Storm brings the power of nature back to the big screen for a new generation to experience.  Told documentary style, storm trackers and high school students on their graduation day are caught in a series of deadly tornados that hit the local town of Silvertown, Oklahoma.  The film stars Richard Amitage, Sarah Wayne Calles, Matt Welsh, Alycia Debnam-Carey and Arlen Escarpeta, strangers who find themselves working together to both survive and document the deadly storm for the chance of saving future generation.

With action, suspense and a slight hint of romance, the story line is enough to keep the audiences attention throughout the entire movie.  Now in theaters, worldwide it’s a movie that one doesn’t want to miss.

 

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“Turtles” Take 4th Highest August Box Office

Director Michael Bay’s epic blockbuster,TMNT, brought in a record 65 million for its opening weekend and fans showed up to nearly sold out theaters to see just how the 90’s Turtles were brought back in their latest adventure.

The movie holds true to the story as it is told through the eyes of budding reporter April O’Neil, played by Megan Fox, who follows the vigilant anti, a.k.a the turtles, who are fighting to save the people of New York from the infamous Shredder.   Through her adventures, O’Neil releases deep secrets behind the turtles as well as her father’s former company that lead to his untimely death as well as her father’s most trusted friend and partner, who is now working for Shredder to find the turtles and use them for their own benefit of capitalism.

The use of the CGI and camera effects make this movie appealing to the eye and the storyline is right on track to what Turtle fans know and love, despite the critics’ opinion that the ‘turtles look creepy’.

Rated PG 13, it is recommended for any “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle” fan and is currently playing in various theaters near you.

Photo taken by Julie Moree, the original van from the movie on display outside Universal Citywalk theater on TMNT's opening weekend.
Photo taken by Julie Moree,
the original van from the movie on display outside Universal Citywalk theater on TMNT’s opening weekend.
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“Boys” Debut Falls Short but Still Entertains

Based on the  broadway musical, Jersey Boys, stars “Law and Order” actors, John Lloyd Young as Frankie Valli, and Vincent Piazza as Tommy DeVito, and is the story of how Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons came to be, through their childhood struggles in New Jersey on to their smashing ten year run and finally how money problems lead to the unforeseen split of the group.   It’s told through the eyes of band members, DeVito and Nick Massey, played by newcomer, Michael Lomenda.

With great musical performances, such as “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Sherry” and the romantic ballad, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You”, the actors really sang to a thousands of movie goers over the weekend as the musical took in over 13.5 million, though it didn’t take the number one spot, it is still a movie worth seeing. Just make sure to keep straight who is narrating because the character shifts can get a little unclear.  That being said, it is still a great movie, highly rated for all music lovers.

Jersey Boys was directed by Clint Eastwood and released and distributed by Warner Brothers on June 20, 2014.
Jersey Boys was directed by Clint Eastwood and released and distributed by Warner Brothers on June 20, 2014.
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“Non-Stop” Is Number One Opening Weekend

Number one at the box office is Universal’s Nonstop with 30 million in ticket sales for its opening weekend.  The action packed, mystery driven thriller stars Liam Neeson as the U.S Air Marshall, who is being framed for hijacking a plane.  He receives a text shortly after the plane takes off on a transatlantic flight and with the aid of Julianne Moore, another passenger, who seems to be the most trustworthy onboard, they attempt to save the rest of the passengers, however his method of interrogation gets misinterpreted.

What will happen when Neeson realizes his country thinks he’s a terrorist?  It’s nearly two hours of suspense that is sure to keep everyone on the edge of his or her seats.

 

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“Son Of God” Opening Weekend Review

20th Century Fox’s Son of God gave Universal’s Nonstop a run for it’s money finishing just 3.5 million below, in second place with 26.5 million for it’s opening weekend.  The film stars Diogo Morgado, as Jesus and expands on the History Channel’s Emmy winning miniseries, “The Bible” as it follows the life of Jesus Christ from Virgin birth, through his miraculous ministries and culminating with the betrayal, crucifixion, resurrection and “Great Commission.

Filmed on location in Morocco, Son of God is told through the eyes of the Apostle John and despite a few minor changes, follows the writings fairly close for a modern day audience.

For a list of theaters near you, click here.