MrPorkuz

Spectre is Daniel Craig's supposed final performance as the famed British spy James Bond and unfortunately the film feels like a very unsatisfying ending to the saga. The movie starts of where Skyfall ended with the appointment of Gareth Mallory (Ralph Fiennes) as the new M and the film attempts to show this power shift in command by enforcing a new security protocol in the MI6. This becomes an important aspect of the film and in many ways acts as a sub plot to the film. However after the first forty minutes of the film you can tell were the plot is going. In many ways because of these two different plots neither of the aspects feel like a whole, satisfying story.As for Christoph Waltz his villain had barely enough screen time for you to be captivated in his own story. The film fails in digging deep to aspects of the story such as Waltz character development while many aspects of the film feel very filler-like and prolonged. However with all the story telling flaws that Spectre has it cannot be denied that it is a beautifully shot film and the action scenes are very well shot. The performances by the various actors are also a positive to the film. Overall Spectre would have been a much better film had the story focused on one sole plot and dug deeper in regards to Oberhauser's character and Bond's past.

6.5/10

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the first installment of the newest Star Wars continuation which is approximately thirty years from the events of the Return of the Jedi. The movie itself does a good job in encompassing the Star Wars feel and boasts an array of different characters which are important to the Star Wars universe. The character of the Storm Trooper Finn is especially interesting as it gives an inside look to the Storm Troopers and the person they are under their mask. The acting itself is very stellar especially for an action flick and powerful performances from newcomers John Boyega and Daisy Ridley are a treat to viewers. Although aesthetically the film is very powerful in regards to its visual effects, sound effects and design the film feels as many people have said just like A New Hope, not that that is a bad thing it just makes the movie feel predictable at times and after watching the film you feel as though the movie is just lining up for the next one of the franchise. Many aspects of the film rely on nostalgia which is why I would recommend watching this movie if you have seen the original trilogy, and would not be surprised if star wars newcomers disliked the film. Another thing to note is the The Force Awakens does not have nearly as many light saber duels as the prequel trilogy which may bore newcomers. Overall The Force Awakens is a fresh resurrection of the star wars franchise which is gearing towards the next installment in the franchise.

8.5/10

Sicario is Denis Villeneuve's newest film revolving around the Mexican Drug War. The movie has many intriguing characters but the primary protagonist is Emily Blunt's character Kate Macer, an optimistic FBI agent recruited by a sort of "Special Ops" task force set to aid against the ongoing drug war along the border of the United States and Mexico. The movie bears strong performances from all the actors that are in it and has many contrasting character types that make the film a lot more enjoyable to watch, I was particularly impressed with Benicio Del Toro's performance. The movie has a very gritty and dark feel which may be a problem to some viewers because there never was a moment of the film that ever even portrayed a sliver of lightheartedness. The cinematography and the directing style like all of Villeneuve's films is beautiful and crisp and definitely an attractive aspect to the film. However as the movie goes on it seems to almost lose its driving force an seems to drag on without real intensity making the end of the film seem very weak and extended, however the ending was far from poor it just did not feel as impactful as it could have been. Overall Sicario is a good movie with stellar acting and beautiful cinematography with an interesting plot relating to the real world. 8/10

Many films excited me towards the end of 2015 such as Star Wars VII, Spectre, The Hateful Eight but I must be honest I was most excited to see The Revenant. The movie follows a simple revenge/survival story with Leonardo DiCaprio being the focal point of it after being left for dead by his crew in the wilderness.From watching the teaser trailer last year, I could already tell that it would be visually stunning but after watching it I have concluded that it is more than visually stunning it is a visual achievement, there are scenes that will shock you and make yourself wonder how it was shot. There are many scenes in the movie that are shot in a "Birdman" fashion with the slow tracking shots with long takes however it never feels like Innaritu is milking on Birdman's visual success. The movie also looks very realistic in showcasing the grit and filth of being a frontiersman. The acting in this movie is also very good and DiCaprio puts on a very captivating performance which could very likely win him an Oscar. I feel as though Tom Hardy should also be recognized for his performance as he was excellent as well. However amidst all this praise I cannot help but feel as though the film has flaws. I feel as though the plot is very simple in essence and is just how DiCaprio's character survives and how he obtains vengeance. However I never feel as though the moral Innaritu was trying to portray at moments in the movie is fully expressed. It was almost like the film was going to go in a more morally conscious direction but was changed. However the movie is still one of the best I have seen in 2015 and is sure to win many awards. Go see it!

8.5/10

Brick Mansions is an action flick staring Paul Walker and David Belle. The movie revolves around and interesting premise being that and undercover cop and an excon pair up together to take down a crime lord. That being said this movie is a remake. There are many underwhelming aspects of this film and it really struggles to provide any substance for viewers. The acting is poor for the most part although Walker is decent as a cop. The fight sequences and the scripting is cringe worthy and it displays a prime example of the template of a mindless action movie. There is very few character development if not none throughout the film as most of its scenes are action oriented. The movie is set in a dystopia and showcases that theme effectively to an extent but you never feel as though you are getting a grand scope of the world it is set place in. For all I could tell there were just corrupt cops and rampant crime rates in the city of Brick Mansions.

Overall poor film, would not recommend seeing it.

3/10

The Man from U.N.C.L.E is an action, espionage movie with a dash of comedy set in Cold War Era Europe. The movie stars Henry Cavill as a CIA agent and Armie Hammer as a KGB agent who have to work together to take down a crime organization that is planning on creating nuclear warheads. The movie itself bears a very sleek and stylized look through out as most of Guy Ritchie's movies do. The movie also does a very good job in capturing the 1960s European feel with its costume design and set design which provides for compelling viewing. The movie yields a lot truly entertaining comedy mainly being conjured through Cavill and Hammer's chemistry on screen. The film is genuinely funny at times which is harder to find in today's action flick. The film does not have any obvious flaws which made the film less entertaining, however I did feel as though there could have been more character development for the villains as I felt as though they were to cartoonish at times and needed to have more relatable human like qualities. Overall The Man from U.N.C.L.E is a beautiful, entertaining espionage movie that is definitely worth watching if you are looking to entertain yourself momentarily.

8/10

Ted 2 is the continuation of Ted, the comedy that revolves around a grown man and his living teddy bear Ted. Ted 2's humor and scope itself is very much like its predecessors as in it showcases a strong element of crude, derogatory humor which feels fresh for the most part. A main difference between Ted 2 and Ted are that Ted'2 seems to revolve more around Ted himself as he attempts to be recognized as a citizen. The movie starts of very good and the dynamic between Ted and John is as always the most entertaining part of the film. The film does suffer a bit from movie tropes generated from most sequels, in particular the romantic aspect of the film. The film also has many pacing issues, certain parts of the film felt unnecessary and long were as some parts, primarily the end of the film felt very rushed. Overall Ted 2 was an decent sequel as it harnessed much of the entertainment which was expressed in the first film however it undoubtedly had issues in regards to the pacing and common movie tropes which come with sequels.

Overall: 6.5/10

Black Mass is a crime drama movie revolving around the true events behind the Winter Hill Gang and the gang's leader Whitey Bulger played by Johnny Depp. The premise for the film was very interesting as it played on Whitey Bulger's connections as his brother, William Bulger, played by Benedict Cummberbatch is a Massachusetts State Senator while one of his childhood friends John Connolly played by Joel Edgerton is an FBI agent. This an amazing premise however it was not fully executed as it focused mainly on Joel Edgerton's character and Cummberbatch's character felt out of place at times. This may have been a more realistic approach however I felt like they could have utilized Cummberbatch's character more in the film as it would have added two assets for Whitey. The Film is divided in three parts overlooking Whitey's almost twenty year reign. However because of this approach it leaves viewers wondering what happened in that time frame and feels as if it was forced to make the movie feel more like the actually events, so spread out. The cinematography and direction of the film is very crisp and sleek which makes the film a lot more enjoyable. The acting all together throughout the film is superb as it holds a stellar cast. I found Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton,Kevin Bacon and Benedict Cummberbatch to be all great. Depp's performance was electrifying and he should get an Oscar nod but I would not be surprised if he does not get one.

Overall decent film

7/10

I'll be honest when I first heard about this movie I was excited in regards to the premise as it seemed to have real promise as an eerie psychological thriller. However on the other hand I was very pessimistic with the casting of the main characters. However there are definitely a lot of positives that came out of True Story such as the sleek cinematography and directing style of film as well as Jonah Hill in particular as an actor. Jonah Hill played the main character of Mike Finkel and from a dramatic perspective he did a decent job in terms of dialogue and emotion. James Franco on the other hand felt very forced and I could not take him seriously. His interactions with Jonah Hill seemed very unnatural as if he was just reading his lines. That's not saying that I don't think Franco can act dramatically I just felt as though he was very miscast and there were numerous other actors that could have been better for the role. Felicity Jones is in the movie however she does not add much of an element however he acting seemed very sincere. The main fault this movie has is its reliance on the premise to thrill the audience for the full 99 minutes of its running time. In thrillers like these audiences are generally waiting for a big hook or plot point which emerges but nothing of the sort is produced in True Story

Overall 6.5/10

Wet Hot American Summer First Day of Camp is the newest Netflix original series and it is a continuation of the 2001 Film Wet Hot American Summer. The film has many of the same stars and has some new ones such as Chris Pine, Jason Schwarzmann, Michael Cera and numerous other recognizable stars. The series explores life at summer camp to and extreme level and also to a some what relatable level at some times however for the most part the series is absurd and unrealistic which is not necessarily a bad thing as most of the comic aspects of the film rely on dry humor and the crazy things the characters do. The characters feel like cartoon characters and the whole show feels like a real life cartoon, I could not help but think of Cartoon Network's Camp Lazloo when I watched this which is a very unique new type of comedy from the traditional less absurd comedies such as Big Bang Theory and Silicon Valley. The series will not be as enjoyable to all who do not enjoy this ridiculous humor however the stunning cast and filmography will be a definite treat.

8.5/10

Prisoners is a Thriller directed by Denis Villeneuve which is centered around the kidnapping of two daughters and how the families cope with this tragedy. The movie is both a drama which explores the evolution of various characters throughout the course of the film and how certain events affect their reasoning and decision making, where as on another hand the film is a crime, detective-like one with Jake Gyllenhaal's character of Detective Loki.

The film it self is shot beautifully and the cinematography and editing really allows for it to capture a gloomy vibe, this is also because of the films filming in the fall which adds to the feeling of the film. The film has many great actors with stellar performances which seem believable. The film is generally a crime mystery which the audience begins to unravel as the movie goes on through various hints incorporated in the film. The film also has a strong moral message in regards to the characters and their choices. The film overall is a dark grim tale of not only the mystery of two lost girls but a drama regarding its affect on the family dynamic.

8/10 Good film

The Lego Movie is a phenomenal film which encompasses all the traits that make a great animation film. The animation style is the real trade mark of the film as it is shot to appear as if it were a stop motion film. This works perfectly in the film with its utilization of Lego blocks and allows the film to do certain things very effectively which the traditional animation features could not.The movie also composes of a stellar voice ensemble such as Nick Pratt, Will Ferrell, Will Arnett, Morgan Freeman, Elizabeth Banks and numerous other comedic stars which perfectly fit their characters and add flair to the film. The film boasts many laughs and a general fun experience to all ages with its intriguing direction, relatable story and comedic voice cast. After watching The Lego Movie I am excited to see where LEGO goes from her.

9/10

The Babadook is one of the few truly disturbing horror movies of the 21st century. The movie revolves around a widowed mother tasked with parenting a truly dysfunctional child. One of the nights the mother begins to read a children's book called "The Babadook" and creepy stuff happens from then on. The movie is a psychological horror movie which is why it is phenomenal and provides a long term sensation of true terror. The film really gets under your skin as it deals with themes that are very relatable such as grief. The film itself is shot beautifully and the acting is superb by lead characters Essie Davies and Noah Wiseman. The film is also riddled with symbolism which can lead different viewers to interpret different things.

Overall the Babadook is a phenomenal chilling horror which should be seen if you are not only wanting a good thrill but an intriguing plot and story. 9/10

Ant-Man is the newest movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe which stars Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Corey Stoll and various other stars.

The movie revolves around Scott Lang a likable yet imperfect hero, as he is released from prison for burglary a crime him and his friends commit on a regular bases. This approach is very uncharacteristic to generic formulation of superheros however Lang's personality, relatability and relationship and drive to be a hero to his daughter is what makes the audience root for him through out the movie.

Eventually during the first half of the movie Ant-Man is born through the use of a revolutionary suit which can shrink the wear to the size of an ant while still providing the strength of a full sized human. If this technology where to get into wrong hands chaos who ensue to world which is why our villain Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) a corporate entrepreneur set on providing a breakthrough regarding shrinking technology exists . Darren Cross is by far the weakest part of the movie as all superhero movies need a good villain and Darren Cross just does not cut it. He is ruthless but with out reason at times and his backstory and reasoning behind his objectives are vague and generic. His character lacked character development which could have made him a more relatable character than a crazy psycho billionaire.

Ant-Man is not your typical blockbuster Marvel movie it is a lot slower paced which I enjoyed as it allowed for the film to develop a more comedic aspect which it harnesses in the movie very well thanks to Paul Rudd and Michael Pena. I honestly did not think I would have laughed as much in any Super-Hero movie but I had an enjoyable time. Although I did not watch the movie in 3D ,I would defiantly recommend watching it in 3D as much of the movie involves Ant-Man shrinking down. These scenes and the actions scenes look great and would probably look even better in 3D.

Overall Ant-Man was one of the most enjoyable movies of this Summer and I would definitely recommend seeing it.

8/10

Submarine is a coming of age teen romance, dramedy set in Wales directed by newcomer Richard Ayoade. The movie possesses far more charm than most adolescent dramedies while dealing with delicate topic's adolescents face such as romance and family deterioration. The movie revolves around 15 year old Oliver Tate as he undergoes a period of striving for meaning in life while attempting to keep his parents relationship alive. He develops a romantic relationship with a girl called Jordanna which aids to the progression of the story and Oliver's development.The movie is very quirky projecting a deadpan like humor consistently through out all the actors. The cinematography is beautiful due to the beautiful camera angles and the entertaining scenery. Even though a lot of the movie takes place in industrial places the imagery still looks stunning. A couple of scenes ran to long and I felt they could have been changed or switched for other scenes.

Over all 7.5/10 good film definitely worth watching.

Fargo is a new Fx series which plays as somewhat of and add on to the 1996 movie of the same name. The show succeeds in capturing the humor, violence and overall finesse of the movie in sublime fashion. The show hosts and extravagant cast of actors including Martin Freeman, Billy Bob Thornton and plenty more. All the characters have interesting personalities and it really mirrors the overarching theme of the show of standing up for your self and how you must eventually pay for your actions. The show is violent and dark however it also boasts in its mundane humor exploited ever so well by the actors. I would recommend Fargo to those who enjoy Breaking Bad and any other good dramas, trust me it is well worth your time.

9/10

Frank is an odd film meddling with various themes and emotions as well as showcasing a genre that many movie goers can't label with ease. The movie one would think is a dramedy on the music industry and how to achieve fame but there are many more underlining themes that only skim the surface of this movie. The movie tells the story of Jon a wanna be musician who is given a chance to join this quirky band called the Soronprfbs lead by this mysterious character called Frank who always seen wearing a paper mache head. There were many ways this film could have gone and even until the end of the movie because Frank was one of the most unpredictable characters I have witnessed. All the other characters were fairly interesting as well because they all had their own problems whether it be mental problems or self esteem or some other issue. This made the members parallel in a way showing that music acts as some kind of a therapy to liberate us from our busy lives. The acting was good as well and Fassenbender did a great performance making the character Frank the cornerstone of the movie with his unpredictable nature. The movie is also very mysterious and vague regarding its message and we don't get to learn much of Frank other than his interactions without seeing his face.

7/10 Interesting movie

We're the Millers is a movie which tells the tale of pot dealer,David (Jason Sudeikis) who is forced to go to more extreme measures in the drug trade after he is robbed and rendered broke unable to pay his supplier, Brad (Ed Helms). He is unwillingly forced to smuggle a large quantity of pot from Mexico back to his supplier. Doing so David assembles a team of misfits either through bribery or persuasion each with their own problems, to act as his family to make the whole plan seem as a family vacation. So basically everyone forgets about their lives in hopes of achieving wealth while risking a highly likely chance of death or incarceration, and so commences the plot of the movie.

While We're the Millers does provide a decent cast of funny actors including Jennifer Aniston, Will Poulter and Nick Offerman I could not help but feel as if Emma Roberts was either miscast or just uneven regarding her characters personalty which was the punk rebellious girl. There where many situations in which I doubted that the stereotypical punk would act that way whether it be because of her acting or the poor script. Jason Sudeikis's average Joe pot dealer character was not interesting or funny either, cracking a few sexual jokes from here and there it was evident that his character would never be fully developed.However seeing Will Poulter and Nick Offerman on screen was what saved the movie as they added a somewhat satirical and funny vibe to the film in the scenes that they where in. There are many jokes thrown onto this movie however many of them are lost in the poor script or the prolonging scenes rendering the jokes not as funny. The script is also poor riddled by numerous convenient unlikely situations permitting the progression of the film, there are very few "smart" ways the writers overcame situations and obstacles in this movie so they just took the easy way out and created improbable solutions. Eventually towards the end of the comedy as most comedies do an underlining theme or moral was brought up to make the audience reflect on themselves. For this movie it was the theme of family it was one of the dumbest and most improvised themes I have seen. MAJOR SPOILERS In the ending the fake family eventually becomes a real family forgetting the horrible lives they had behind them. While this ending would not be as bad if the bonding between the family members was more true and if David the pot dealer showcased more care for his soon to be new family.

5/10