Jack Reacher (2012)

Not bad. The trailers and media promote Jack Reacher as being some kind of anti-law anti-hero with a vendetta. That's off-the-mark. Reacher is a badass detective with above average abilities...in everything.

This movie is like The Firm (1993) meets Punisher (2004). Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher is very much like Thomas Jane as Punisher, without the vendetta, and the story is like The Firm because of it's suspense, crime, and investigative aspects.

Maybe it's Tom Cruise's character or the way he delivers him, but the movie has an old school comic book hero feel to it, hence The Punisher. The main villain is cheesy to boot.

It's a little low on the action considering it's a Tom Cruise movie, but there is still enough to not be completely disappointed.

There are a lot of unnecessary looks and stares and slow scenic movements like they're putting onto film a Stephen King chapter of descriptive scenery. We see it, we get it, move on.

Surprisingly Tom Cruise is funny! It's my favorite aspect of the entire movie. Oh and bonus...Robert Duvall is in it too.

Overall, it's decently entertaining.

On a scale of 1-10, Jack Reacher: 7.0

Small Apartments (2012)

I have never been so uninspired to speak. Small Apartments...sigh. It's forcefully eclectic. Every character is unconvincingly condensed. Apparently it was adapted from a Chris Millis novel. Sometimes you watch a movie and get a feeling that the book is probably good even if the movie is not. No, not this time.

Here is my honest superficial reason for watching this movie: James Marsden. Second reason? Rebel Wilson. Her humor is quirky and I've been waiting for it to shine with the right cast. Unfortunately not only is she hardly in this movie, her character wasn't funny.

The biggest problem this movie is that it doesn't feel like anything happens even though you watch it happen. It tries so hard to bring everything together, but it just doesn't work. It's not drama, it's not comedy, it's not action. It's nothing.

On a scale of 1-10 Small Apartments: 4.5

Scene Spotlight: Rosie Perez

Let me just reiterate...a "Scene Spotlight" doesn't necessarily mean it's good.

Seven Psychopaths (2012)

Thoroughly entertaining! Seven Psychopaths is essentially about Marty (Colin Farrell) trying to write a screenplay of the same name. It is helariously funny at times. Not surprisingly, there's lots of blood and dead bodies...LOTS. Some parts were sad and if you're in the right mood, you will conclude that this, seemingly superficial movie, actually has a deeper message. The great part about it is that if you don't want to analyze it that far, you don't have to. You can just take what they're showing and be entertained.

The fast pace from the beginning doesn't sustain throughout the movie. Few times I found myself sighing at the lack of progress, but there's just enough humor to hold you over till the end.

The biggest downer of this movie is Colin Farrell. His Irish accent is at times indistinguishable, but that isn't even comparable to his lack of connection to the audience and his co-stars.

Christopher Walken as Hans is so incredibly funny and heartfelt. I can't even describe what a terrific performance it is. Walken alone is worth watching!

Throughout the movie, there are many stories within the story, so you do have to pay attention. There were also a couple of interesting twists. The movie took a semi-hard turn about half way and there was a slight disconnect between the two halves, but overall it makes sense and pretty much comes together at the end.

On a scale of 1-10, Seven Psychopaths: 8.5

Perfomance distinction for Christopher Walken as Hans: highly underrated.

Scene Spotlight: Every scene with Christopher Walken.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1931533/?ref_=ttexrv_exrv_tt

Young Adult (2011)

Slow...slow...slow. It takes almost 20 minutes to introduce another significant character other than Charlize Theron's character Mavis. For the first 15 minutes you really just want to scrub her down and hose her off. It's like a presentation of grossness. She's definitely a good actress, which is why I question why it took so long for the prep of her character. The most obvious reason I can think of would be that it was used as a time-filler for a good, yet paper thin, story. A story which is essentially about a disheveled, alcoholic, big city girl going back to her childhood town on a delusional whim.

Patton Oswald as Matt is terrific. Charlize and Patton together is even better. Their chemistry is the only thing that saves this movie. Charlize's ability to force the realism and comfortability in her character is superior, by far, to any other actor in this movie. She almost overtakes Patton a few times with her presence but he holds his own and they make a surprisingly remarkable duo.

Matt's sister, Sarah, is a funny quirky character that should have been expounded upon. She has a very "Fargo" feel about her.

Most of the time, you feel completely embarrassed for Mavis. You wonder why so many people let her behavior escalate so far; but I suppose there would be no point to the movie otherwise. Buddy, played by Patrick Wilson is Mavis's high school sweetheart, and he has got to be the most perplexingly oblivious person. When he finally admits his stance, it doesn't match up to his previous behavior, or non-behavior I guess would be more accurate. It's like they want you to forget pretty much everything they show you about him up until that point and see him completely differently toward the end. It's just plain odd.

The title of the movie is more representative of Mavis's career. The tagline of "'Everyone gets old. Not everyone grows up.'" and the image of Charlize on the cover does not match up with the story. Mavis isn't having a hard time growing up per se, she has serious mental and emotional problems. It's almost an insult to young people to say only the young experience these issues. I get that she doesn't want to let go of the past, but to say it's because she doesn't want to grow up makes me cringe.

Practically speaking, how the heck is Mavis so thin with such great complexion? Whatever! Anyway, I didn't mind watching this movie, but don't expect any kind of mind blowing revelation or even a slight bulge in the plot. In fact, the ending was kind of a "that's it?" producing moment; but if you want to see another great performance by Charlize Theron and don't mind slow-paced movies, you'll be decently satisfied.

On a scale of 1-10, Young Adult: 6.0

Peformance distinction for Charlize Theron as Mavis: underrated.

Scene Spotlight: Mavis picking up Matt's figurine.

God Bless America (2011)

God Bless America starts off with a bang! Let me just put out the obvious...this movie is suited for slightly irritated liberals with above average intelligence. Everyone else will either be too offended or won't understand it completely. It's an uncomfortable ripping of American mainstream life. As you watch "reality TV" depicted in this movie, you're automatically inclined to think it's in parody form; yet you realize it's a completely accurate portrayal of what's going on in modern society. Within the first seven minutes you depressingly discern that American entertainment reality has become a parody of itself.

Frank, played by Joel Murray, is frustrated with his life and society in general. He successfully shares his frustration to the point where you want to punch a lot of people in the face; including his daughter. Frank takes a more drastic approach but you can't help but agree with a lot of what he says.

The first 30 minutes of the movie moves a little slow, but it's fascinating. Tara Lynn Barr as Roxy is simply awesome and she puts a needed amount of ferocious psychotic energy into this otherwise mellow movie. She's so blunt, completely neurotic, and reminds you a little of Wednesday Addams. Roxy and Frank's relationship is effortless because Murray and Barr balance each other well.

This movie is extremely negative but highly amusing in a matter-of-fact shocking manner. It sometimes comes off as a complaint riddled mess, but that's where the above average intelligence comes in to decipher it as a whole; which then leads to a kind of arrogance and anger that leaves you with a disturbingly fun vicarious satisfaction.

On a minor note, the blood sometimes looks like orange paint but it's easily forgiven because again, you have to look at the big picture. There are many social and political layers. If you focus on the impossibilities of the minor details, it will distract you from the story. In addition, if you find yourself asking how they're not caught at certain times, turn it off, you're too fucking stupid for this movie.

Don't get in a huff pickle! That last line, while true, is an ode to the movie.

On a scale of 1-10, God Bless America: 8.5
         with distinction: underrated.

Scene Spotlight: Frank, Roxy, and Fuller.

The Raven (2012)

The Raven is a dark twisted story, inspired by the obvious; Edgar Allan Poe and his writings. It's better than I expected; although, that's not saying too much because I didn't even want to watch this movie. It is also gorier and funnier than I expected. That's already an interesting combination, but then add suspense and a little bit of love and sadness. It's a strange cocktail of a story.

John Cusack, as Poe, is not very good. Alice Eve as Emily Hamilton, Poe's love interest, is even more painful. Their chemistry is lackluster. They both try too hard to encompass the dialect and inflection of the era. A lot of the specifics of what they say is lost, but you get the gist of it, so it's not unbearable. Cusack's performance warms up about 25 minutes in. It's still not good, but you get comfortable and attached with his character. The movie gets better around this time mainly because Cusack's and Eve's screen time together is reduced.

Luke Evans as Detective Fields is so good and has such a powerful presence, at times he feels like the lead. It would've been a much better movie had they shifted it that way.

The clues at each crime scene play out like a 19th century CSI. It's fun to follow along, even though it's simple and predictable.

On a scale of 1-10, I give The Raven: 7.0

Scene Spotlight: None.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1486192/

What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012)

What to Expect When You're Expecting is inspired by the pregnancy guide of the same name. It follows along the relationships of five different couples and their experiences of becoming parents. There are many familiar faces in this movie. Most notably Cameron Diaz (Jules), Jennifer Lopez(Holly), and Elizabeth Banks (Wendy). All of the familiar faces, leaves this movie feeling crowded; or maybe there are just too many relationships to watch. You want to see more of Wendy's story and less of Holly's and Jules'.

When it comes down to it, this movie wasn't very much about teaching anyone what to expect. Wendy comes closest to the concept of the book, but she simply has too many other characters to share screen time with. Prior to watching it, you're anticipating the movie will be a funny and somewhat accurate portrayal of pregnancy and its symptoms; instead, you get the typical story of relationship problems surrounded by a lot bulging bellies.

There were a couple of tear welling moments and a few LOL ones too. Craig, played by Thomas Lennon, is probably the funniest character of the ensemble, next to Wendy.

The casting of Ben Falcone as Gary is really distracting. He looks too old to be Dennis Quaid's son.

Cameron Diaz looks terrible, none of her scenes are funny, and she isn't likeable.

The "dude's" Saturday meet-up is entertaining and the actors play very well off each other. The kid Jordan, played by Reginald and Resan Womack, is hilarious.

In the end, they should've focused the story around Wendy and her symptoms and completely cut out Jules and Holly.

In addition, this movie must have been focused for the female audience because there were *ahem* multiple actors that were pleasing to the eye. Just something minor I noticed. ;)

On a scale of 1-10, What to Expect When You're Expecting: 7.0

Scene Spotlight: 1. Wendy, Janice, and the cell phone. 2. The dude's group introduction.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1586265/?ref_=sr_1