The Hangover

The Hangover directed by Todd Phillips, starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Heather Graham, Rachel Harris, Mike Tyson, Jeffrey Tambor, Rob Riggle, and Ken Jeong.

I hadn't seen this movie in a long time but was quickly reminded of how brilliant it was.  It didn't take long to be reminded of it either.  One of my favorite aspects of the movie is how it takes the detective type of story and kind of turns it on its head and creates an interesting mystery within the confines of a buddy comedy movie.  Another thing this movie has aged well and will continue to age well.

The opening scene sets the tone for the first act and offers a curiosity into what happened.

This movie is perfectly paced and has a perfect run time. No scene ever over stays its welcome and matching the time and pace perfectly of the whole movie.  Nor does any of the humor become reduced to dick, fart, gross out humor, or that improvisational humor that stretches out scenes longer than they need to be stretched out.  The humor is derived from situational and character - which means it will last longer over time and is actually funny.  The situational humor kicks in right after the first act of the movie has set up all the character and established their personalities and quirks. It's one of the better first opening acts I've seen from a comedy in a long time.  It's focused and secure in what it's doing with no need to rely on anything but the characters being themselves.  This is enough to set the flow and pace of the movie.

When the second act kicks in, it kicks in with the full force of the hangover of the title.  This scene opens up with one of the best second act comedy openings I've ever seen as it sets up everything that is to come with a set production that is simply amazing.  All of the debauchery and chaos of the night before are given room to visually breath, then add into that each character as they wake up with their visual touch just adding to the production already seen just minutes before.  Everything in this scene adds up well with nothing deterring away from the story or characters, all that stems from here does so in a chronological way with nothing going over the top or distracting from the story or characters.  Everything feels organic in a detective sort of way as it's easy to get caught in the mystery of what happened the night before.  That curiosity never wavers from a frame of this movie.

All the actors do a marvelous job of establishing their characters and injecting them with an honesty that makes them feel real.  By doing this they help the story line to be that much more relate able. I liked the fact none of the characters escaped this story without incurring some form of physical harm, for some reason I thought this was wise move with the story.  It also has a good, all enclosing ending that ties up most loose threads with one character must needed growing up.

The cameo role by Mike Tyson is simply put - brilliant. It comes out of nowhere but doesn't distract from the story as it only adds to the insanity and curiosity of what happened the night before.

No sequels were needed at all.

Sense 8

Sense 8 created by The Wachowski Siblings and J. Michael Straczynski, starring Aml Ameen, Doona Bae, Jamie Clayton, Tina Desai, Tuppence Middleton, Max Reimelt, Miguel Angel Silvetre, Brian J. Smith, Alfonso Herrera, Max Mauff, Freeman Agyeman, Naveen Andrews, and Daryl Hannah.

The only thing that saved this show was the concept because the agenda pushing of the narrative was daunting to deal with but I suffered through that because of the concept of eight people being able to share their lives with each other despite the geographical distant I found completely fascinating.  Another thing I liked about this show was the diverse cast.  This is one TV show that can boost of having one of the most diverse casts out there, characters range from America, London, Iceland, Germany, Africa, Japan, Mexico, and India, with a cast to match those cultures as well.   Each different part of that world had its own diverse production design and cultural effect, which made each change to character unique.  All of this made this show interesting as it turned into more of a character study than an over all arching plot of show.  I can't say I was prepared for this but I did go along with it.

What didn't help the show was the agenda pushing of gay, lesbian, and transgender as the only forms of a stable relationship.  These people were they people in this show where their partner was giving ample air and story time where as a straight person's relationship was never explored or even hinted at.  I felt if there had been this focus on a straight person I think the show would have more than accomplished the balancing act they were striving for but by not doing this, the show doesn't fell complete. It feels lacking.

The show also suffers by the end with the Wachowski's utter lack of wanting to reveal any sort of answers as they've become to be known for doing.  Good to know they still like to revel in the philosophical mumbo jumbo that offer no answers but only more questions.  The only thing that saved this show was the focus on characters and I've got a feeling Straczynki influence can be thanked for this.

Not a great show but one I found interesting.  There is so much potential here but most of it becomes wasted as the show progresses.  If the concept does click with you, I think you will have a good time watching it otherwise proceed with caution.   

Dune

Dune written by Frank Herbert.

I read this over the summer - my 5th time reading through this book and it had been over 3 years since I've read it last time.  This is my second favorite sci-fi novel of all time.  It used to be my favorite but Dan Simmons Hyperion books eventually took it down.  The fact that it's still on my top list does say something about this book and what Herbert has done with the story.   Even after 5 times of reading through it, I've got to say it's still a really good book as it is basically a retelling of Shakespeare's Henry V told in a science fiction setting.  It still holds up well to that comparison.

At the time I read this it was one of the most complex novels I had ever read, even after the 5th time the complexity of the world building Herbert did is still impressive.  The universe he creates is extremely detailed with some great characters that help to bring this story to life.  Now I would call this book a precursor to Game of Thrones.  I didn't realize how much politics were in this book and how much political machinations played a role in the story, until this read through.  Game of Thrones owes a lot of its vastness to Dune.  I really like the cultural creation Herbert did with population of Dune and in particular with the Fremen whose viewpoint of life has been completely influenced by the desert planet Dune.  Their perspective of life soon shifts into the driving point of the story as the main character (Paul) and all other characters become caught up the Fremen philosophy.  They feel like a living, breathing people such is the detail Herbert interjects into them.

After all of these years of starting Dune, it is still one of the best books ever written and has held up well over time. 

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Star Wars: The Force Awakens directed by J. J. Abrams, screenplay helped by Lawrence Kasdan (this is huge having him back in Star Wars as his return is warm welcome), starring Daisy Ridley, Tom Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill.

First thing I will say as I've mentioned above - I am very glad that Lawrence Kasdan has returned to the fold of Star Wars.  His scripting duties were sourly missed with the prequels and his not being there cleared showed with stilted and awkward dialogue that only continued to show how out of touch with reality Lucas had become over the years.  Where as this movie revives the tight, crisp dialogue he brought with Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.  This time around he has even sharpened and honed his dialogue even more as it sizzles with more humor as the characters relate to each other in more realistic ways that feel even more natural than his previous screenplays.  I am so glad Kasdan has returned.   

Well this movie completely renewed my faith in live action Star Wars movies.  After the utter failure of the lifeless and passionless prequels, which only managed to prove how much George Lucas didn't know about the world and universe he created, it was good to be reminded of how much I love the live action Star Wars movie.  And missed them.  There can be much said about how much this movie recycled bits and pieces from the original trilogy or how there is a lack of character development or how plot points and pot holes do emerge as the story marches one - but to say this is to forget how much the original trilogy also had these types of elements with in yet we didn't care.  I don't care about them here either because this movie revives all the fun and excitement of the original trilogy as it quickly adheres to the word OPERA in the space-opera of these movies.  This must be remembered when watching these movies.  They are an opera.  They will be cheesy.  But they should be fun, exciting, and a thrill ride a minute.  This movie is all that and more.

Thank you Abrams, thank you very much.

This is just an all out fun movie with manic pacing that once it starts after the characters are introduced it never lets up.  What good, new characters that have been introduced to the Star Wars universe both female and male that seem to be having a blast being in a Star Wars movie - this passion and joy show in every frame they are in making it very easy to relate to and like these actors. 

This analogy from my brother completely summons up the experience of watching Star Wars the Force Awakens: Ratatouille, this movie is like that scene from Ratatouille where the food critic ate that dish and was immediately brought back to his childhood just with one taste of Ratatouille.  This movie is like that in that it immediately brought me back to my childhood and watching Star Wars with such wild abandon. Looking forward to next movies in this trilogy and any other movies Disney will release in the Star Wars universe. 

Fantastic 4

Fantastic 4 directed by Josh Trank, starring Miles Teller, Jamie Bell, Michael B. Jordan, and Kate Mara.

Well this movie lived up to all the bad hype I'd read about.  If you want a good example on how not to make a superhero/comic adaption this movie can be held high as a how not to.  This is a shame because they did get some good actors to play the Fantastic 4, they just didn't give them anything to do.  With a pacing that moved through things faster than the Flash chugging Red Bulls, speed, and all forms of energy drinks at the same time, so much so the story never really gave the characters or their relationships to each other time to breathe.  The movie didn't even both being cliched with any character as it just lightly touched upon just the tops of each cliche without even embracing the cliched, which left all the characters as nothing more than an empty shadow.  It didn't even feel like the screenplay writers tried to make a good movie and their lack of passion is in about every frame of this film. 

I longing for the day when Marvel gets these characters back into their fold because I would love to see what they would do with them not just with a movie but with the Marvel Cinematic Universe as well.  Here's hoping that day comes soon because I wouldn't question a remake on this series but would wholly embrace it.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. written and directed by Guy Richie, starring Alicia Vikander, Henry Cavill, and Armie Hammer.

This was just a fun buddy cop type of movie set in the 1960's.  This movie doesn't aspire to be anything else but fun and in my opinion this movie succeeded on every level of that aspiration.  Guy Richie's direction is once again really getting the hang of these action films.  He continues to maintain good control and communication on the action scenes, never letting them get out of control or ahead of him.  There is never any confusion as to what is happening with the action scene - for some directors they think over editing and flashy effects are the only way to go with these types of scenes.  Whereas subtly and less is more is better.  The production design and costumes in this movie also compliments the direction - which Richie wants to show and not hide in lazy direction.  By doing this the production and wardrobe is given full room to live and breathe as they becomes another character in the movie.  Then and the three leads into this mix who really go all out with their roles as the chemistry between all three is full of sizzle and sparks making this movie one fun ride from beginning to end.

A good time to spend watching a movie.  I don't think you will be disappointed.

Daredevil: Season One

Daredevil: Season One, starring Charlie Cox, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Vincent D'Onofrio, Rosario Dawson, and Scot Glenn.

All I can say is Marvel has does it again.

Unlike the movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), this series is more personal and really dives into the personality and characters of the main character and characters around him.  It is a slow burn of show that is more concerned with building the personality of Matt Murdock than it is with his alter ego Daredevil.  It is also more focused on Murdock's relationship with his best friend Foggy Nelson and the other characters around him than it is with the persona of Daredevil.  This was a huge risk on Marvel's part but it was a gamble that paid off in that the person of Matt Murdock and Daredevil is one of the more complex persons in the MCU and it all the better for this as well.  But don't get me wrong there are some serious action scenes woven throughout this show that are some well choreographed fight scenes.  This show owes a lot to Nolan's Batman in the darker and gritter aspects it brings to being a superhero.  Along with this Nolan connection also comes a drive for continuity snaking its way through each episode, which is something most TV shows have long forgotten.  But Daredevil picks up these loose threads from the previous episode and weaves them into the next episode with some great precision.

Another thing this show got right was building up the character of Wilson Fisk (soon to be the Kingpin of crime) played with some brilliance by Vincent D'Onofrio.  Fisk is one of the best villains introduced in the MCU since Loki.  They also chose to dive into the past and character of Fisk with the same depth as Murdock, in so doing they created a good foil for both characters. 

I will say this about the MCU there are things I don't necessarily like about their world.  They can take minor short cuts and flirt with some plot holes at times but I find myself not caring at this because the characters they create are more interesting than the what they get wrong. 

Spy

Spy written and directed by Paul Feig, starring Melissa McCarthy, John Statham, Rose Byrne, and Jude Law.

I didn't quite know what to expect from this movie but I was rather pleased when it turned out to be as funny as it did.  I was also glad the humor didn't fall into the dick, fart, and shock humor of most of the comedies today.  This was a pretty funny movie that kept a smile on my face for most of the run time.  I think it was about 10-15 minutes to long but I didn't mind that to much.

I will also say who would have thought Jason Statham could be this funny as his straight man to McCarthy's comedy almost stole the whole movie.  It was good seeing Jude Law kind of kick back and have some fun much like he did in the Sherlock Holmes movies.  He makes a great partner with good actors as it just helps to show what a good actor he is.  

Not a bad way to spend an evening.

Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland directed by Brad Bird, starring George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie, Raffey Cassidy, and Tim McGraw.

The main problem with this movie is that it promised so much and then delivered nothing.  There's a great story lurking in this movie somewhere but it's never given time to breath. 

I've also come to the conclusion over the years that if there is anything that says written by Damon Lindelof avoid at all costs.  He is one of the worst writers out there.  His characters can't even be defined as cliched but more card board cut outs, that are as flat and lifeless as the material they are made out of.  I would even take cliched characters beside the stereotypes he marches out in front of the camera even the characters in Fast and Furious movies have more depth than the ones he creates.  
His plot and story will boil down to a terrible ending as he always generates interesting ideas but can never seem to pull of a good ending or any ending at all.  His stories always seem to be going somewhere but then when you get to the end you realize he had no idea where he was journeying to.  Look at his filmography if you don't believe me.  He's the main reason this film doesn't work. 

It's a shame to because this film is built on some good ideas.  It's just to bad there wasn't any focus or characters to bring those ideas to life.  I would actually welcome a remake of this movie later on with someone who could bring some well deserved direction to everything. 

Phases of Gravity

Phases of Gravity written by Dan Simmons.

Simmons is a rare writer who can weave between all kinds of genres with an ease that must frustrate a lot of other writers.  He does it with such a grasp of each genre that I'm baffled as to how he does it.  He's written all kinds of fiction: sci-fi, horror, historical, detective, real life, and literary.  His sci-fi novels consisting of Hyperion, Fall of Hyperion, Endymion, and Rise of Endymion are not only my favorite sci-fi books I've ever read but my favorite books I've ever read.  His horror book Carrion Comfort is the best horror book I've read.  Am I hyping him to much?  Not nearly enough.  The main reason is, is that I don't read a lot about him, which is a shame because he is one of the best writers I've ever read.  He consistently writes some of the best characters and his never afraid to reveal things in a story when most writers tend to hold everything to their chest and reveal nothing.  Simmons is not afraid to talk about the plot or pull the curtain away from plot threads in a story.  He's not insecure in that way and has complete faith and trust in the reader.  His stories never feel out of control.  Even his story Summer of Night - a horror story through and through I didn't like because it adhered to the horror genre to tightly but it was that sticking close to what that genre is about that made it a worthy addition to the horror genre. 

All of that being said Phases of Gravity really has no set story but is more of journey the main character takes to understand himself and the world he lives in.  Needless to say I found it very interesting as once again Simmons creates a fascinating character and the populates the story with more fascinating characters.  Despite the fact nothing really happens in the story, I didn't care because the characters were so interesting, their conversations deep without verging on literary pretentiousness crap that so many writers seem to vomit out now-a-days.  Simmons is concerned with the characters and the journey these characters make.  Their view points and philosophical thoughts ring true because that is where these characters are in their life.  They aren't just rumbling on to be a mouth piece for the writer - their words have context to them and what they are going through.  Another thing Simmons does well is that he's able to present both sides of a thought without seeming like he's preaching at you.  His arguments are always filtered with different points of view with most of the time both view points given their weight and due. 

I've got to say I did get caught up in the main characters journey to discover himself and to find a life outside of his space flights. 



 

The Sandman Overture

The Sandman Overture written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by J. H. Williams.

It's been so long since I've read a new story of Sandman and it's a welcome return to the world that Gaiman created so long ago.  I will start this out by saying The Sandman is my favorite comic series of all time and is on my person top 10 books of all time - so I am going to be biased when it comes to reviewing this.  But that being said if it does turn out bad I'm not afraid to say so.  It was a good thing it wasn't bad but a welcome addition to The Sandman story and that I will include in my every so year or two reading of that series. 

This story is basically a prequel to what happens in Sandman #1 as the final scene in this comic is the first scene that started off Sandman.  Giaman's writing is still spot on as he hasn't last any of his touch for writing Sandman over the years.  His ideas are still wild, insane, and completely thought provoking.  Then you mix into that soup Williams' out of this world art and the combination is simply one of the best comics to come out in a long time.  Everything about this comic was worth it.  I started collecting it when it came out in single issue form but Gaiman and Williams began taking 2-3 months or longer between issues that I decided to wait until the collected six issue came out at one and it was worth the wait to read it all at once.  This is the best way to read Gaiman's comic stuff anyhow because his stories flow into each other so well that it's like reading a book. 

He's one of the few comic writers out there where I'd put him up against some great book writers - his stuff is that good.  Williams is one of best artists to team up with Gaiman as his art work completely matched the wild ideas Gaiman was writing about but then again Williams has teamed up Moore before so I imagine it wasn't to hard a transition to Gaiman.  Illustrated-wise this is one of the most beautiful drawn comics out there - rich in detail with plenty of courses to feast on for the viewers eyes.  Many pages will demand to be be poured over with a fine comb just to pick out the little things hidden there - writing and illustrated that is.

Mr. Holmes

Mr. Holmes directed by Bill Condon, starring Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, and Milo Parker.

This is not a typical Sherlock Holmes type of story nor is it a typical Sherlock Holmes that the viewer is dealing with either.  This Holmes is more introspective and more emotional.  This Holmes is older and has a the weight of the world on his shoulders.  All of that being said this isn't a bad movie but not really a good movie either but more of an average movie.  The pacing is very slow and the movie feels longer than it really is, which isn't a good thing.  All in all not a bad watch and if you are a Sherlock Holmes fan (I am) then you need to see this just for the fandom effect. 

Southpaw

Southpaw directed by Antoine Fuqua, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams, Forest Whitaker, Oona Laurence, 50 Cent, and Naomie Harris.

An over all very cliched story line saved by the direction of Antoine Fuqua.  Nothing new is revealed or explored from a boxing story line perspective but boy did Fuqua's direction and production of this movie elevate it from normal status to extremely watchable.  Based on this movie alone I will be keeping my eye on Fuqua's later movies as I've really like what I've seen from him so far.  

The Aeronaut's Windlass

The Cinder Spires: The Aeronaut's Windlass written by Jim Butcher.

Truthfully I found most of this book very slow - it finally picked up over half way through the book and the only thing that kept me reading that much was Butcher's name.  The characters just don't have the same type of personality or character that his characters in the Dresden books have - this is the books main failing.  The other main failing is that I needed more detail of the world the characters lived in.  I never got a good idea of what this world was about and it needed more detail there because the world is a main character in the story.  This lack of character with the world really hurt the story because it's a world these characters inhabit so it needs to be a primary focus.  It needs to feel real and lived in, neither of which ever happened with this book. 

The over all idea of the story I really liked but nothing ever seemed to support this over all idea of steampunk and other creatures in the story.  They all felt like ideas not fully formed.  

I did finish the book and will most likely continue the series but I won't be seeking out the new book when it first comes out.  I'll be reading it at my leisure after it comes out.

Furious 7

Furious 7 directed by James Wan, starring Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordan Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Dwyane Johnson, and Kurt Russell.

An action movie franchise that has been saved and survived by sticking to the main theme of family.

All the action scenes and story line is completely over the top but I found myself not caring in the slightest as they movie sticks to the main focus of the series - family.  I like how this series has created some interesting characters to follow up on this theme, along with people I wouldn't mind hanging out with.  Another thing this series has been good at is giving the viewer a diverse group of people consisting of different cultures all with two common bonds - cars and family.  But this series has done interesting things in reviving it's own life from a standard cop and robber story into turning the story around into heist movies.  It has been all the better for it as these heist stories make more sense and give more flexibility with the themes and characters than just chasing each other around town. 

Entertaining and worth a watch.

The Fault in our Stars

The Fault in our Stars written by John Green.

I finally read this book after all they hype had passed over it and I've got say, it was a very good read with some well defined characters.  It's also not your typical romantic type of story or youth orientated story considering the two main characters are dealing with cancer and either have cancer or have dealt with it.  Right out of the gate it opens up with these themes but ultimately its the characters that sell this story.  Their personality and uniqueness made everything that happens worth while.  A good book with a twist on the romantic story line. 

Blood Rites

Blood Rites written by Jim Butcher.

I've been slowly rereading through the Dresden Files again, this is book #6.  And with each read I'm continually reminded what a wonderful job Butcher has done, not only with world building but in creating a cast of characters that I genuinely like.  Harry Dresden is the main character.  But it's also the secondary and side characters that I like.  He has has infused them with enough personality and quirks that I care about them and want to know more about them.  I don't read many books like this where the background characters are as as interesting as the main character.  Butcher also has this insane gift of not recycling story lines but continuing the over all story line with each book that is published in the Dresden series (now he is on book 14 of this series so far).

With this book Butcher makes a huge revelation in the series and this revelation is cared over in the books that follow but I like how it's not a cheap revelation.  It is a soap opera type of revelation but it doesn't feel tacked on.  It's completely earned as rereading this series has backed this up - Butcher has a master plan, nothing is left to chance or soap opera tactics.  Another thing I like about Butcher is how the talking segments of this book click with life and hold more weight than the action scenes or story line because I like how his characters relate to each other.  I look forward to reading about them talking and relating to each more than I do the action scenes or story lines that follow.  His characters are that rich in detail, that how they relate to each other I want to see happen.

By the ending of this book I can't wait for the next book because I know the dynamics of these characters are going to be changed and I want to see that change take place. They relate to each other is realistic ways, in ways that I think I could hang out most of the characters and just talk about life and nerd stuff.  In a strange way he has made me connect with them just by reading these books.  I've got a glimpse into their lives and lives that have some weight and experience to it because I've gone through the same sort of experience with them in a weird sort of way.

Also make no mistake Harry Dresden and his friends are some of the most original blue collar characters I've come across.   

Pixels

Pixels directed by Chris Columbus, starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Michelle Monaghan, Peter Dinklage, Josh Gad, and Brian Cox.

In all honesty this is a terrible film but yet entertaining in a weird sort of way.  Don't get me wrong it is bad, and very bad at that. I still have yet to see an Adam Sandler comedy that is good.  The whole concept is absurd on so many levels as it caters to the slacker-to-the-end that will save the world syndrome.  I mean this film was custom made for Sandler and I think only he could have pulled it off to such terribleness as this film aspires to.

This movie has cult classic and guilty pleasure written all over it as it's destiny will likely be and I've got to admit that those two adjectives will be aptly applied.    

Terminator Genisys

Terminator Genisys directed by Alan Taylor, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Clarke, Emila Clarke, and Jai Courtney.

Absolutely, totally pointless addition to the Terminator series.  I'm not even going to go into how much of a mess this film is because I've got this feeling I could write about it for a long time.  Why is it easier to write about bad films than good films?  Well I'm not going to fall into that trap here.   

Shadows of Self

Shadows of Self written by Brandon Sanderson.

What can I say but a very welcome return to the Mist Born world in a new trilogy.  I didn't realize I was looking forward to this return until I read the book and then understood I had been wanting more of this part of Sanderson's world and I just didn't notice it.  With this book Sanderson continues to establish himself as one of the best writers out there as he seems to weave through all sorts of genres: fantasy, western, steampunk, and buddy cop story with an ease that is simply mind boggling.

He continues the story with the characters originally established in Alloy of Law and further fleshes out the two main characters Wax and Wayne (who is easily one of my favorite characters in all literature - he is a joy to read on paper as his perspective on life is unlike any other character I've ever read).  I really liked the way he explored the character of Steris, letting her explode on the page more than she had in first book.  This was one of favorite parts in the book.

Sanderson continues to be a one of best writers at exploring worlds and not settling for recycling previous story lines and he is not afraid to give answers to questions.  That is a hard thing to come by into today's world of world building where most people seem to only want to hold the cards to everything close their chest and never reveal anything.  Sanderson is very opposite of most writers today in that regard as he also writes what I would call "Comfort Fantasy" not concerned with dark themed, realistic ideas but with only the sole idea being - lets just tell a good story with some good characters. 

Looking forward to the  next two books in the trilogy.

Ant-man

Ant-man directed by Peyton Reed, starring Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, and Michael Pena.

Marvel pulls off yet another winner. 

One thing I've noticed about Marvel movies over the years is that they might get cliched in the story line department but they always remain focused on character.  It's this focus on character that makes their movies work in wonderful and delightful ways no matter how far fetched or insane their stories get.  I never really care because their characters are always the focal point.  This movie is no different in that Paul Rudd is the main focus of this movie and they build his character with some nifty cliches but as always it is Rudd that helps to fully flesh out his character.  Perfect casting much the same way Evans brought Captain America to life , as did Downey, jr with Iron Man, Hemsworth with Thor, and the whole Guardians of the Galaxy cast did with that movie.  Their ability to cast movies is something to be amazed at even in little side roles they totally nail the perfect person for that role.  All the casting in this movie is no different.

Mix in some great set pieces and special effects that play around with a world to big for a small sized man and it makes for one entertaining and fun ride.  

Ex-Machina

Ex-Machina written and directed by Alex Garland, starring Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, and Alicia Vikander.

I've come to the conclusion over the years that if a movie's screenplay has the words "written by Alex Garland" - I will go see the movie and will most likely thoroughly enjoy it.  I will also admit Alex Garland is doing some of the best sci-fi movies ever - case in point 28 Days Later, Sunshine, and Dredd, which are some of the best the genre has seen in a long time.  And now Ex-Machina can be added to that list of sci-fi movies that are more concerned with characters and ideas that being bogged down with special effects and action scenes.  His movies are some of the most entertaining and thought provoking movies I've seen in a long time, while being enjoyable, which is a combination I don't find all that much these days.  He just amazes me in that his movies are so focused and the characters seems to alive and real, its almost like I'm not watching a Hollywood movie at all.  I look forward to any movies by Alex Garland and so should you.

I don't want to say to much about the story line other than it involves identity, androids, and AI.  Besides the story line the three other things that make this movie highly watchable are the three performances of Domhnall, Isaac, and Vikander.  They really help to bring this world, these ideas, and these themes to life. 

I highly recommend this movie. Sit back, watch, and enjoy. 

Quantum of Solace

Quantum of Solace directed by Marc Forster, starring Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Judi Dench, and Mathieu Amalric.

I haven't seen this movie since I saw it when it came out in the theater.  I remember not liking it that much and not having very fond memories of it. Well I can say years have been very kind to this movie: it's completely underrated as is the Bond theme song song by Jack White and Alica Keys.  I can admit I was seriously wrong about this film when first saw and I think the main reason is that this is a not a normal Bond movie in that continues from the ending of the first movie.

This is basically a really good epilogue to Casino Royale as it ties up some loose ends to that movie and starts some new threads of its own.  In my opinion Craig does another superb job of creating a Bond who gets dirty and bloody as he continues to bring some serious much needed realism to the world of Bond. 

Darkness Take My Hand

Darkness Take My Hand written by Dennis LeHane.

It's been a while since I've stayed up reading late into the morning - this book had me doing that because I had to find out what happened.

The second book in the Kenzie and Gennaro series is by far better than the first book as it mixes a serial killer into the story that has ties to Kenzie and Gennaro's past.  Written with the same pacing and sharp writing skills as the previous story only this time LeHane dives deeper into the characters.  By doing that everything is all the better for it.  This book will make the other books harder to follow but I don't really care because this book was so well written and executed that it was a sheer pleasure to read.  Easily one of the best thriller, serial killer, detective stories I've read.

Highly recommended.  

Patriot Games

Patriot Games directed by Phillip Noyce, starring Harrison Ford, Sean Bean, James Earl Jones, Patrick Bergin, Anna Archer, Thora Birch, Polly Walker, Richard Harris, Samuel L. Jackson, and James Fox.

Not anywhere near as good as The Hunt for Red October but a serviceable action movie with Harrison Ford playing the every man to good effect. 

Personally I think this movie is only as good as it is because of the acting.  I found the story line kind of boring and in no way near the perfection of The Hunt for Red October.  The only thing that could have made this movie better than the typical story line would have to been to beef up Jack Ryan's character but instead I was left with a typical action movie that in many ways turns out not to be an action movie because there's not much action.  And the non-action scenes don't really feel compelling or tense.  There just needed to be more meat on this stick for it to be better.  Even the Lethal Weapon movies could have a weak story line but the two main characters made up for that weakness with their interesting personalities - not so much here.  I think this movie has not dated well but worth at least one watch.

Blackhat

Blackhat directed by Michael Mann, starring Chris Hemsworth, Leehom Wang, Viola Davie, Wei Tang, and John Ortiz.

This movie was not as bad as all the reviews I read about but that being said this is not Michael Mann's best film even though I did find it very entertaining and I would consider it his first made popcorn movie.   Even a bad film by Michael Mann is immensely better than most good films by typical directors.  Like always his actions scenes sparkle with a fury and direction not found by many "action" film makers because unlike those "action" film makers I can actual tell what is going on in Mann's action scenes and am in no way confused as to what is happening.  Some of the things that happen in this movie are wildly crazy and unbelievable but at least Mann sticks with the internal logic of the movie and doesn't shift from that unlike most action/popcorn movies that deviate so much movie's logic that is becomes distracting. 

Jurassic World

Jurassic World directed by Colin Trevorrow, starring Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Irrfan Khan, Vincent D'Onofrio, Ty Simpkins, Nick Robinson, and Omar Sy.

In all honesty I really liked this movie and I've got to admit - Chris Pratt is the main reason this movie was good.  If he hadn't been in it I don't think it would have been as good as it turned out.  His charisma and presence was that good.  That being said this movie was way better than Lost World and Jurassic Park 3 in leaps and bounds.  I don't expect much out of popcorn movies these days other than just don't pander to me, don't be pretentious, and above all just don't be completely stupid when it comes to plot because you are a popcorn movie (Michael Bay - I'm speaking to you).  All around I thought characters were well more defined than in the first movie, which for me was just basically a remake of Jaws with dinosaurs only with poorer characters.  The characters in this movie (minus Bryce Dallas Howard's character) seemed a lot more interesting than before. 

Trevorrow did more than a decent job of directing, not as good as the first movie which was completely saved by Spielberg's direction.  I liked the self nods to the first movie throughout it brought me home to a movie that I can honestly say helped to shape my fascinations with movies (I saw Jurassic Park 5 times in the theaters when it came out). 

This movie is well worth a watch.