San Andreas

THE PITCH

WORTH

$$$

THE VIEWING

"What do we do now?"

      I dare any movie buff to lie and say the trailer for San Andreas did not remind them of the the movie “2012”. Surely it did that for me which was an instant turn off…. for me.  I didn’t need to see another movie like that, so the urgency to see it jettisoned to the middle of my movie-must-see list, maybe near the bottom even.

     Well I went out with my lady, of whom I’ve been with for almost a year (July 30th will be the Anni) and we had our first “strong” disagreement about a movie.  We have very similar tastes and are both movie buffs. I was actually stunned that the movie was as good as it was but then again, I went in with very low expectations.  I am not sure where her expectation level was but she certainly was not feeling it or at least like I was: “Too over-the-top”, “corny lines”, “predictable” and the always frustrating smart alecky, wisecracks while in pursuit to/from probable death. I won’t refute that this flick had ALL of those things but still… it worked for me.

      As charismatic as Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) is, I can’t say it was all him that made the movie flow like it did. I thought, besides the obvious plot, the story had a decent path.  Picking up interesting characters along the way and the sub plots were pretty good as well.  As over- the- top as some of the action was, it became easily forgivable once the next scene started.

    I wanted to wait until the end of the credits to warn you guys for possible easter eggs or bonus material but SOMEBODY was in a hurry to get out of there. lol  

  So!! If anyone stayed and waited would you be so kind as to confirm or deny any material at the very end in the comment section for this movie review?? Thank you in advance.

   Worth watching!!!  I can ONLY imagine how the CGI would look in 3D.  I enjoyed it on the regular format so there is no wrong choice there.  This is also a good flick to scarf down Popcorn and Pop, regardless of how many times you may miss your mouth throwing it in!

letter Grade: B-

FAST & FURIOUS 6

THE PITCH

WORTH

$$$$1/2



THE VIEWING

“I can reach out and break you whenever I want.”

           So I just watched the 6th Installation of the Fast & Furious franchise.  Whenever a movie goes beyond a trilogy, the final episodes are usually dry.  After the 5th F&F [for a quick review click here ], I was really hoping they would stop. That would've been a perfect closure to a really good run .  Of course that wasn’t enough, so the good people down at Universal green lighted a 6th and the edit room for 5 wasn’t even warmed up yet.  So before we end the movie shoot a teaser on the end of the reel after the credits roll thru and walla!! Now we have a seed planted.  One, I thought would be for a disaster but I am here happy to report I was wrong.  In fact, this time you don’t have to sit thru the entirety of the credits.  This time it’s not after the movie (credits)ends, there’s bonus material in the ending sequence that you definitely want to see.  Screen footage that may or may not lead you to believe that they are just not quite done taking you for a ride; Awesome footage, might I add.

         If you are one of the people who don’t like the Fast & Furious brand because of the unrealistic street racing events filled with more female models than hoodlums or you didn’t like the dumbed down action sequences, I understand... but you would of loved last one (5)!  Five was a departure from the original F&F blueprint.  More of a intricate story and a very successful heist flick.   Although 6 returned to some of the things that F&F fans enjoyed from the previous movies, Fast 6 is definitely a stand alone.  Anyone can enjoy this by itself.

          Everyone casted had surprisingly good chemistry...again! More impressive was the comic relief by Ludacris and Tyrese.  Tyrese may be under appreciated but I’ll just tuck that away for another day.  It seems ‘critics’ all over have a problem with Vin Diesel’s raw, drawn out vernacular. I don’t. Just like Sly Stone in Rocky, his marbles in the jaws speeches delivers a different pace than what everyone else on screen is doing.  It also sets their subject matter apart from the rest of the speedy dialogue on screen. Which, in effect,  highlights their simple but powerful statements.  It’s effortlessly digestible and easy to love.  

         Things that go BOOM in the summer usually result in higher box office ticket sales.  That’s no secret, and the movie directors and producers all know that we know that yet still try to satisfy the masses with explosives and all sorts of mayhem.  That’s what I would call “industry” tactics and I’m usually oppose to them.  Once in every while, they do get it right.  All though the more refined movie/film goer would frown or even walk out of some of the impossible stunts that F&F 6 throws at you... I would challenge them to stay.  Plausibility and realism is always best, especially when entertaining me, but sometimes ‘fun’ overrides everything!

         Definitely worth watching and worth your money: B- (minus for the ridiculousness lol)

G.I. Joe: Retaliation

THE PITCH

WORTH
$$$

THE VIEWING

"Everybody wants to rule the world."


     Whether it's Tears for Fears or Zartan from G.I. Joe, the statement is true.  I believe G.I. Joe: Retaliation jumps off the summer action blockbuster series.  Considering that it was delayed all the way from the summer of last year, logic tells me the the producer(s) wanted to make sure that the movie did well.  It was rumored that the delay was due to the insertion of 3D technology to the movie, which I don't buy, to getting certain actors being squared away with contracts. Overall, I want to say it was worth the wait but the reality is I'm just glad it's complete. 
          I'm also happy that the story revolved around my favorite character growing up.... Roadblock.

                 
            Dwayne Johnson did a great job and the movie was better than I expected but the true center piece of the movie, as in the original, was the story of the two ninjas.  Storm Shadow and Snake eyes.  This sub-story, again, helped propel the film.












          Even in the time of the popular TV show these two characters where very intriguing.  I wish that they can have their own spinoff movie. I still don't know why Bruce Willis was in this movie after watching it, but despite minor gripes the movie was very watchable and interesting.  Unfortunately after seeing a movie like Olympus Has Fallen where plausibility takes the front seat, it makes it very hard to watch bullets being sliced in half by samurai swords and motorcycles transforming into missiles... but honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm a fan.

my unbiased report is the movie is worth watching and it get's a B-
           

SNITCH

THE PITCH

WORTH
$$$$$

THE VIEWING


"You did this... You did this"


          Watching the the theatrical trailers before the main feature started I noticed something... The Rock [Dwayne Johnson] has been a busy man,  I'd say 3 out of 5 of the movies coming out has the Rock in it.  Which is a good thing because I've always like The Rock, especially from his wrestling days.  His charisma and energy and humor always made me tune in to what he was doing.  His film career as well... All though he has played serious roles before ["Grid Iron Gang" (another 'surprise' film)], you've never saw the Dwayne Johnson like this!  This vulnerable, this used... this heroic.
          How far would you go to save your son is the post-film convo for the ride home.  Even if you don't have any children you can't help but wonder. 
          I've said it so many times before, the best endings are the ones you don't see coming.  The arc of Dwayne's character, the depth of his convictions about snitching, as well as the people's lives affected by one decision is incredible to watch. 
            Everyone in the film were interesting.  I dare to say there was not one dull moment.  Tense all the way thru.  I loved it.  SNITCH is worth every penny.  I suggest you buy the pop at the gas station and get some Popcorn at the concession stand and enjoy this one.


           letter grade: A