MOVIE REVUE: Not Your Average Gatsby

One day when the light is glowing
I’ll be in my castle golden
But until the gates are open
I just want to feel this moment

The song “Feel This Moment” by Pitbull featuring Christina Aguilera is not from the highly anticipated blockbuster The Great Gatsby, but it perfectly captures the spirit of a gorgeous film that breathes fresh air into F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel about life’s evanescence and the folly of trying to force fantasies of the past into reality.

MOVIE REVUE: Third Time’s the Iron Charm

In The Avengers, Steve Rogers once asked the beloved Iron Man Tony Stark “Big man in a suit of armor. Take that off, what are you?” In true Stark style, Tony replied, “Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.” Now Stark faces a terror that will make him rethink the answer. Can Stark single-handedly start the 2013 summer movie season off with a bang? All will be revealed as Stark faces his biggest challenge to date as Robert Downey Jr. suits up one more time in IRON MAN 3.

Even Combined Star Power Can’t Redeem ‘Place Beyond the Pines’

If you ride like lightning, you’re gonna crash like thunder.

-Robin Van Der Zee

Make no mistake, the trailers for ‘Pines’ are wholly misleading. That said I was still able to adjust on the fly, as the film takes a few thematically jarring turns in the second half.  Ryan Gosling plays nomadic carnie/motorcycle stuntman Luke Glanton who attempts to rekindle a romance with Romina (Eva Mendes) after discovering that their one night stand produced an infant son, despite her involvement with Kofi (Mahershala Ali), who we learn is a much more stable partner and father. With little opportunity and the guidance of former bank robber Robin Van Der Zee (Ben Mendelsohn), Glanton turns to bank robbery, a small subplot which takes far too much of the film’s running time.

MOVIE REVUE: Pineda’s Dreamin’ is Believin’

 

What if you had the opportunity to sing for your favorite band? Not likely; and even less likely if your favorite band just happens to be located conveniently more than halfway around the world. We’ll don’t stop believing because anything is possible. Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey is the story of Arnel Pineda and his defiant siren call in the face of adversity to end up as the new lead singer of rock super group Journey.

MOVIE REVUE: Identity Theft is Hardly worth the Steal

 

Melissa McCarthy is without a doubt, one of the funniest comediennes of today. She had the breakthrough role in Bridesmaids which earned her numerous accolades including a Best Supporting Actress nod. Why on earth would she take on a role that is so annoying that it could make my annoying family member look brilliant is beyond me? Identity Thief unfortunately falls into the usual trap of things that are “too good to be true.” The product sounds great in the sales pitch. However, when you read the fine print, or suffer through the 112 minutes like I have, you will soon realize that Thief could not steal my funny bone.

MOVIE REVUE: A Perfect Sunset for the Twilight Series

 

It is all coming to an end…the sacrifices for eternal love, the bloodless battles, and the ridiculous amount of awards showered on the cast for no reason. Since Stephenie Meyer does not mature her characters in The Twilight Saga like say, a J.K. Rowling, many of us tired of the tales right before Eclipse. Even though the major source of my excitement initially was the fact hat the saga was ending, I was totally won over by Breaking Dawn – Part 2.

MOVIE REVUE: Meeting at Skyfall

Old and new. There is much to be said about the clash of these two concepts. When one applies this concept to the James Bond franchise, arguments eventually erupt. Connery vs. Any Other Bond, new tactics in espionage vs. old, cold war vs. “war on terror.” Skyfall‘s theme is old against new, and it plays on so many themes. How does this play out on the follow-up to Quantum of Solace? Follow through to find out.

MOVIE REVUE: Perky and Uplifting!

 

What is a recipe for disaster? A second-time director (this almost does not even count, as the last film was an independent project), screenwriting and directing the film version of a book written over 13 years ago. To be perfectly blunt, the idea of walking into this kind of film is scary. Add in the fact that the story is revolves around the awkward phase of high school? Find out after the jump if this film is such a disaster…

MOVIE REVUE: Don’t Judge This Movie by its Dredd-ful Past

 

In 1995, the movie audience was introduced to the comic book character who is judge, jury, and executioner rolled into one. Judge Dredd is a no-nonsense lawman who believed worship the law. For the big screen adaptation, Sylvester Stallone took on the titular role and turned Dredd into a laugh stock for moviegoers and abomination for the Dredd-heads. This time, Karl Urban makes his rounds in Mega City One. Will this new Dredd finally bring justice to its franchise or rack up new charges? Judge Rogers will the findings of Dredd 3D.

MOVIE REVUE: The Boring Legacy

During the height of the Bourne trilogy’s popularity, a reporter asked Matt Damon if he would come back for yet another film. He quoted director Paul Greengrass saying that it could be called “The Bourne Redundancy.” That man is a prophet, because The Bourne Legacy is almost as unnecessary of a fourth installment as Shrek Forever After.