Django Unchained

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 25 December 2012
Running Time: 165 Minutes
Staring:  Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, and many more.
Rating? R (Well deserved Might I say)
SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS
IMDB: 8.5 of 10
MY RATING: 9 of 10

MY REVIEW:
I loved this movie. Yes, it was violent and bloody, but so was the history of the United States.

OMG Amazing acting skills in this! Jamie Foxx leads the ensemble cast as Django, a freed slave. He's partnered up with Dr. King Schultz {Christoph Waltz} on the hunt for his wife Broomhilda {Kerry Washington} who is still a slave who was sold to an unknown owner. We find Broomhilda now in the care of Calvin Candie, {Leonardo DiCaprio} a crass rich plantation owner who treats people like trash. Calvin Candie lives on his plantation called Candieland and is assisted by his manservant Stephen {Samuel L. Jackson}. Just a few more stars in this movie: Walton Goggins, Don Johnson, Tom Wopat, Jonah Hill, and many many more!

Violence was a large part of this movie and it was prevalent throughout the whole movie. At first I thought it was over the top, but the longer the movie went on, the more I realized that it was warranted. More than warranted. Necessary. This is a very hard Rated R and deserved. Then writing was excellent and the dialogue was a perfect element the movie needed. Quite good.

On a personal note... I took a few pictures... Happy Holidays from Boomer and Spot.

Jack Reacher

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 21 December 2012
Running Time: 130 Minutes
Staring:  Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike
Rating? PG-13
SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS
IMDB: 6.0 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 62% Audience: 67%
MY RATING: 6 of 10

MY REVIEW:
I hate to review a movie when I really loved the book and I was indifferent to the movie, but here goes. I feel that the book flowed very nicely together, but that didn't translate to the screen as nicely as I had wished. There was a ton of action and I enjoyed some of the sequences that seemed comedic, but there seemed to be a lack of any real THRILL. I liked the idea of Jack Reacher being Tom Cruise. He fit the bill rather nicely.

I was indifferent to most of the casting choices until Rosamund Pike. I just feel like she was not the Helen that I would have liked to have seen. I just really didn't find her scenes much less than good and a little annoying really. She's not a horrible actor, but i just think they could have come up with a better person to play this character.

Overall, this was a decent movie. Average. It was a good story and as long as you're not looking for an intellectual feast for the brain, this will be a good movie to view. It's entertaining and visually interesting.

Safety Not Guaranteed

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 10 Mar 2012
Running Time: 86 Minutes
Staring:  Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, Jake Johnson
Rating? R
SPOILERS? NO

REVIEWS
IMDB: 7.0 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 90% Audience: 80%
MY RATING: 8

STORYLINE
Three magazine employees head out on an assignment to interview a guy who placed a classified ad seeking a companion for time travel.

MY REVIEW:
My interest was piqued at the idea of a movie in the genre of time travel. I'm a huge H. G. Wells fan so the idea has always fascinated me. This movie made the serious pieces and the funny bits all fit together in a manner befitting the genre.

This was definitely not the traditional time-travel sci-fi type film that one may find. Not typical is a VERY good way! It's complex and interesting and the lengthy narratives build and build the developing characters before your eyes. Each one is so complete that it makes it so easy as the watcher to become engrossed and invested in them as the  hour and  a half whips by!

Loved it. Definite find this movie and watch!!

Paranormal Activity 4

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 19 Oct 2012
Running Time: 88 Minutes
Staring:  Stephen Dunham, Katie Featherstone, Matt Shipley
Rating? R
SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS
IMDB: 4.6 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 24% Audience: 35%
MY RATING: 5

MY REVIEW:
Not as good as the first 3. Still good. It doesn't really add to the plot development from the first three. There weren't really the same pieces that made me like series. This is the mild PG-13 version that no one really wanted to see. The family was not bad and it did play into the ideas set the first two. Just didn't set the right tone for me. I gave it a 5 because anything less felt too low and anything higher felt like a lie.

Sinister

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 12 Oct 2012
Running Time: 110 Minutes
Staring:  Ethan Hawke, Juliet Rylance
Rating? R
SPOILERS? N.

REVIEWS
IMDB: 6.8 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: X% Audience: X%
MY RATING: 7

STORYLINE
A true-crime writer finds a cache of 8mm home movies that suggest the murder he is currently researching the work of a serial killer whose career dates back to the 1960's.

MY REVIEW:
This movie had be scared right from the start. This movie is definitely chock-full of scenes that seemed to be here purely for the shock value. Story is decently presented and I was intrigues by the theory behind the killings. I felt like it was a new story.  I have to admit, I jumped a few times. Lost some points for me on the plot. I did see a lot of the points coming and was not completely blinded by the ending.

Truth or Die

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 9 Oct 2012
Running Time: 96 Minutes
Staring:  Tom Kane, Liam Boyle, Jack Gordon
Rating? UNRATED?
SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS
IMDB: 5.6 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 22% Audience: 29%
MY RATING: 1

MY REVIEW:
Let me just say that this is a HORROR movie and it's UNRATED!!

Nightmare Factory

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 5 Oct 2012
Running Time: 90 Minutes
Staring:  Documentary
Rating? Unrated TV Movie
SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS
IMDB: 7.3 of 10
MY RATING: 9

STORYLINE
In 1989, Greg Nicotero quit medical school and headed fro Hollywood to pursue a dream of making monsters. Together with gore masters Howard Berger and Robert Kurtzman, Nicotero went on to create KNB EFX Group, one of the most prolific makeup effects studios in the world.

MY REVIEW:
Love love love loved this movie! It was a look inside the special effects life that has intrigued me since the first time I saw Salem's Lot. This movie is a definite recommendation to any of my fellow horror/gore lovers out there! The non-digital magic that is made under the KNB umbrella is amazing. Loads of "making of" type stuff and a ton of special appearances and Walking Dead. Great movie!

Pitch Perfect

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 5 Oct 2012
Running Time: 112 Minutes
Staring:  Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Rebel Wilson
Rating? R
SPOILERS? NO

REVIEWS
IMDB: 7.3 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 81% Audience: 83%
MY RATING: 8

STORYLINE
Beca, a freshman at Barden University, is cajoled into joining the Bellas, her school's all-girl a cappella group. Injecting some much needed energy into their repertoire, the Bellas take on their male rivals in a competition.

MY REVIEW:
You know, I watched this movie because someone else wanted to see it, not Terry. If you fall into one of the following criteria, you will love this movie. I loved it and plan on watching this multiple more times when it is on Netflix.

1. A Girl between the ages of 10 and 60.
2. An a cappella nerd from high school or college
3. Watched and enjoyed Glee.

An American Ghost Story

 Original Title: Revenant

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 1 October 2012
Running Time: 95 Minutes
Staring:  No one you'll know
Rating? UNRATED
SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS
IMDB: 4.3 of 10
MY RATING: 2 of 10

STORYLINE
When Paul, an unemployed writer, decided to rent and live in a house that's rumored to be haunted, he puts his life and his relationships in grave danger as he obsessively attempts to get the story that will finally make his career.

MY REVIEW:
Again, why did I decide to watch an UNRATED horror movie? I should know better, but since I am on this self-imposed quest to locate the best horror movies available.. I keep watching... in vain it seems..

There is some sort of story that seems to have been tied together with a shoe string. Lets take the main character Paul {Stephen Twardokus}, he wants to write the perfect ghost story and has moved into a house where murders occurred because he thinks that there might be a ghost. Then there;'s his live in girlfriend Stella {Liesel Kopp} has absolutely no problem with this even when he decorates the house EXACTLY like it was when the murders occurred. Sure, lets just assume she's a crazy person as well.

My issues arise about halfway through the movie when the intentions for "finding the truth" are apparently gone. The owner has disappeared and there is no explanation of what did happen to the family. All we see is furniture moving in the dark and a person (or ghost) whatever under a bed sheet.  The movie doesn't even discuss or discover who the supposed ghost was supposed to be.

I gave this movie a 2 because the music and simplicity, as well as a good couple of moments that kept me holding my breath. 

Looper

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 28 Sept 2012
Running Time: 119 Minutes
Staring:  Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis and Emily Blunt
Rating? R
SPOILERS? NO

REVIEWS
IMDB: 7.5 of 10
MY RATING: 8

STORYLINE
In 2074, when the mob wants to get rid of someone, the target is sent into the past where a hired gun awaits - someone like Joe - who one day learns that the mod wants to 'close the loop' by sending back Joe's future self for assassination.

MY REVIEW:
Two words. Excellent and Innovative.

I love Sci-Fi movies and this was definitely packed with all of the things that I love about that genre. The best part to be was Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I love this character and every bit that he put into Joe. This just solidifies it for me that he has come so far and has the chops to pull of any role!

This movie will keep you going with twists and turns and questions which you get to solve by the end with an astounding revelation that was very fresh!

House at the End of the Street

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 21 Sept 2012
Running Time: 101 Minutes
Staring:  Jennifer Lawrence, Elisabeth Shue, Max Thierot
Rating? PG-13
SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS
IMDB: 5.6 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 10% Audience: 42%
MY RATING: 3 of 10

STORYLINE
Newly divorced Sarah and her daughter Elissa find a house of their dreams in a small, upscale, rural town. But when startling and unexplainable events begin to happen, Sarah and Elissa learn the town is in the shadows of a hilling secret.

MY REVIEW:
So the idea of the crazy person who you're not 100% sure if they are a crazy person is thee thing that I did actually enjoy about this movie. The rest was so cliche that I was literally 10 steps ahead of the movie at all times.

The movie stars Jennifer Lawrence as Elissa, daughter of Sarah, played by Elisabeth Shue and creepy obvious-bad guy next door Ryan, who was played by Max Thieriot. When we meet Ryan, we discover that he is the only survivor of his sister Carrie Anne's rampage that killed their family.

Here's my take. Horrid name with a terrible plot and a lacking in suspense and drama that would make this a horror thriller. I was so far ahead of the plot that nothing was really that scary or even thrilling. I sat there watching and just wanted to yell at all of the characters. They were less than developed and definitely less than interesting.

To me, it seemed like a classic Psycho but on a PG-13 nearly PG rating. It just didn't work for me. First and second acts were tolerable, but the third act went downhill pretty quick. Although there were some decent parts the majority of the movie was a letdown for me. 

The Tall Man

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 5 Sept 2012
Running Time: 106 Minutes
Staring:  Jessica Biel
Rating? R
SPOILERS? NO

REVIEWS
IMDB: 6.0 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 48% Audience: 38%
MY RATING: 5

THE STORYLINE:
This is about the town of Cold Rock and the legend about the children who are going missing. It's said that an entity known as "The Tall Man" has been taking them. Julia Denning is a local nurse whose husband died years earlier is soon taking care of the local women. Then her child is taken and she discovers theres more to the legend that whet she knows. The townsfolk start to turn on her and then the truth comes out. There's more to the story that just "Who is the Tall Man?"

MY REVIEW:
The idea of this movie was interesting to me. Jessica Biel was the only person that I recognized in the cast. I found it interesting story about an isolated slowly dying mining town where the children are vanishing.  There are the whispers about the "Tall Man" are heard everywhere. That's when Julia played by Jessica Biel finds that her son David has been kidnapped. We do get some interesting twists at this point with some twists that I really didn't see. The first two acts of the movie were pretty decent and that's where it lost me. It became less of a thriller and more social commentary. It falls flat with me that the biggest cover-up in town is less than it could have been. Still a 5 out of 10.

V/H/S

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 31 Aug 2012 (Straight to Video)
Running Time: 116 Minutes
Staring:  Calvin Reeder, Lane Hughes, Adam Wingard
Rating? R
SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS
IMDB: 5.8 of 10
MY RATING: 7 of 10

STORYLINE
When a group of misfits is hired by an unknown third party to burglarize a desolate house and acquire a rare VHS Tape, they discover more found footage than they bargained for.

MY REVIEW:
There is no in-between for this movie. You will either find it interesting and delightful or a sack of crap.

I was reluctant to watch but decided to go ahead. First of all, it was not the typical movie that you come across. It was new and interesting. Odd maybe. But it works.  It definitely feels that it doesn't have a storyline or a plot, but it seems to work in this case. A bit too much shaky cam for me, but I have never been a big fan.

It was different and enjoyable and unique.

The Awakening

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: USA- 17 Aug 2012
Running Time: 107 Minutes
Staring:  Rebecca Hall, Dominic West, Imelda Staunton..
Rating? R
SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS
IMDB: 6.5 of 10
MY RATING: 7 of 10

STORYLINE
In 1921, England is overwhelmed bu the loss and grief of World War I. Hoax exposer Florence Cathcart visits a boarding school to explain sightings of a child ghost. Everything she believes unravels as the 'missing' begin to show themselves.

MY REVIEW:
A horror story this is not. Thriller, yes. Creepy and flawed ghost story, yes.

It's fairly original for an old ghost story. I like the settings and the traditional feel. It's effective in its use of creaking doors and mysterious sounds as well as the use of light and darkness to set the scene in this gloomy English countryside mansion. Most of the plot twists were a little obvious to me, the fanatic horror movie watcher.

What sold me on this movie was the use of traditional scares and very little reliance on special effects. This is a good old English film with a good old English cast that gives insight to the frailty of fear and makes up for the few flaws with character development and understated tension.

What I did not find effective was the underdevelopment of  the finale. Could have used some good old-fashioned thriller magic.
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Total Recall

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 3 Aug 2012
Running Time: 118 Minutes
Staring:  Colin Farrell, Bokeem Woodbine, Bryan Cranston, Kate Bekinsale, Jessica Biel
Rating? PG-13
SPOILERS? NO

REVIEWS
IMDB: 6.3 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 30% Audience: 47%
MY RATING: 5 of 10

MY REVIEW:
I am not a huge fan of remakes and in general feel that if the original wasn't broken, there is no need to mess with it! I think this was a pretty decent case of exactly that!

We get some of the same ideas from the original Total Recall from 1990, but the pieces that were the integral portions were missing for me. Mars? Where is the idea of Mars? No Doug Quaid played by Collin Farrell saying "Get your ass to Mars." No three booked aliens in the mutant sector? No mutants in general.

So, the earth is decimated and Douglas Quaid can't get the idea of his adventurous dreams out of his head. He gets his ass to Recall where they implant vacations. Same plat as before. Lori Quaid was Sharon Stone and is now Kate Beckinsale. I was saddened to have Melina not the leader of the mutant rebellion, but not to see Jessica Biel.

The missing pieces of the original plot to free Mars creates some very unwatchable edits. I was missing a big reason for me to care about the rest of the people. I miss the original. This was good. Not great, but good.

The Haunting of Whaley House

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 31 July 2012
Running Time: 89 Minutes
Staring:  Alex Arlea, Arielle Brachford, Graham Denman
Rating? Unrated????
SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS
IMDB: 3.9 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 0% Audience: 12%
MY RATING: 2.5

STORYLINE
A girl who works as a tour guide in Americas Most Haunted House breaks in with her friends to get a fright.

MY REVIEW:
Okay, this was bad. Not pile of poo bad, but bad. This movie looks and feels like it was made by some sophomore movie school kids and they just picked up a few friends to act in the damn thing! Worst acting I've seen in a while! There were so many things wrong with this movie that I just can't really spend the time to write it all down. It's just not worth the time. It's fairly lame. It might scare a 12 year old.

Magic Mike

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 29 June 2012
Running Time: 110 Minutes
Staring:  Channing Tatum, Olivia Munn, etc
Rating? R
SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS
IMDB: 6.1 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 80% Audience: 60%
MY RATING: 5 out of 10

STORYLINE
A male stripper teaches a young performer how to party, pick up women, and make easy money.

MY REVIEW:
Yes, you read that right, I gave this movie a 5 out of 10. Yes, a 5. It was less than average and more than mediocre solely based on the dancing men. I recommend turning the sound down and fast forwarding through all the talking parts because the storyline and the acting could have been better if they  sent these guys to acting school for a few years. SKIP the talking!! The lead female character was about as emotive as a soggy noodle. 

Ted

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 29 June 2012
Running Time: 106 Minutes
Staring:  Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis
Rating? R
SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS
IMDB: 7 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 67% Audience: 74%
MY RATING: 6

MY REVIEW:
I didn't hate this movie. I can't say that it was overly impressive either. It seemed more hype that containing actual substance. It was a pretty generic Romantic Comedy except for the bumbling best friend being played by Seth Rogan, it was played by a teddy Bear.
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Yes, there were some decent laughs and while they weren't exactly the absurdly funny or unique, they were funny. I did manage to watch the whole thing.

While it was predictable, it could have definitely used some more mature pieces for a rated R movie. Overall, it was good, not great.

Rock of Ages

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 15 June 2012
Running Time: 123 Minutes
Staring:  Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Paul Giamatti, Russell Brand, etc..
Rating? PG-13
SPOILERS? NOPE

REVIEWS
IMDB: 5.9 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 41% Audience: 54%
MY RATING: 8 of 10

STORYLINE
A small town girl and a city boy meet on the sunset strip while pursuing their Hollywood dreams.

MY REVIEW:
What else is there to say other than this was a pretty good movie. 8 of 10 on my scale is pretty decent since I am a very critical critic!

It's musical comedy at its best... love, rock, absurdities, aging rock gods, excellent casting! This movie is definitely worth a second look. I grew un in the 80's and 90's and THESE WERE MY SONGS! I sang along with every word and enjoyed the mash-ups.

Prometheus

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 8 June 2012
Running Time: 2 Hours and 3 Minutes
Staring:  Michael Fassbender, CHarlize THeron, Guy Pearce, Idris Elba
Rating? R
SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS
IMDB: 7.0 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 73% Audience: 69%
MY RATING: 8.5

STORYLINE
This film is set in 2093 and takes place in the same universe as the 'Alien' movies. A group of explorers, including some archeologists, are on an "undisclosed: mission. They arrive at a planet millions of miles away from Earth. The team spot what they believe to be signs of civilization. They go to investigate and find more than just signs, they find conclusive evidence. Some of them have an ulterior motive for being there, including Weyland Corporation. They believe that is where the human race came from. Things soon turn from excitement to survival once inside the discovery.

MY REVIEW:
I was anticipating this movie for a while. I was not dissapointed. I was impressed with the cinematography. Fantastic. I was expecting amazing things with the way the trailer looked! The entire movie is filled with visions of glorious grandeur.

Let's beginning with Elizabeth Shaw, played by Noomi Rapace. Her acting was real and flawless. Convincing with her real emotions. She's impulsive and insecure and so very feminine. She's endearing. Michael Fassbender playing the humanoid robot David was ridiculously intriguing. He played this like a pro! Then one person that I didn't feel the love for was Charlize Theron's portrayal of Meredith Vickers.

Plot gives me heartburn in some ways. I was not impressed with some of the writing choices taken. The science-y speak used by some of the supposed scientists in the cast. Not impressed. The build up was much too long and too climactic for the ending to be so short and lacked the atmosphere that I was really waiting for.

Most of the scenes were disturbingly awesome  and some were even shocking, however, if the idea was to scare me, it was not successful. It was impressive most of the time and had a few pieces of just too much. Definitely a solid 8 on it's way to a 9.

Chernobyl Diaries

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 25 May 2012
Running Time: 86 Minutes
Staring:  Jesse McCartney, Jonathan Sadowski, Olivia Taylor Dudley..
Rating? R
SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS
IMDB: 5 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 19% Audience: 28%
MY RATING: 2

MY REVIEW:
First thing: I really only wanted to see this movie for one reason. Jesse McCartney. Ever since I saw the video of his song Leavin'. (LINK TO THE VIDEO)

I was infatuated with this guy! He's freaking adorable!! So basically, I wanted to see it because he was in it... That was likely not a wonderful choice, since he was not really an actor. He tried. :) I have to give him
credit for that!!

Second thing: I think this movie was a horrible insult to the victims of the Chernobyl Disaster.

It started off pretty decent however, my pet peeve was present with the dreaded hand-held- shaky-cam crap! I hate that stuff! As soon as they get lost at the site, you know it's not going to end up a happy time for these guys!

The timeline is horrible. One minute they are in the sun and five minutes later its dark as midnight. Five minutes to get away from the truck and hours to get back. No sense.

The moment with the mutant zombie things come out, I am absolutely done with this movie. What the hell?!?! This is just a dumb idea.  I thought it was a pretty decent pile of garbage. I love Jesse McCartney, but that was just enough to get a 2 instead of a 1.

Avengers

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 4 May 2012
Running Time: 143 Minutes
Staring:  Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, etc.
Rating? PG-13
SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS
IMDB: 8.2 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 92% Audience: 91%
MY RATING: 8 of 10

MY REVIEW:
This was a good movie. a really good movie. Yes, I was surprised. I was not a comic book fan-girl growing up and I really have no idea of the origin stories of 90% of these Marvel characters, but even with that, It was good. I must admit that this was directed by Joss Wheedon, I generally love everything that his hands touch!

It's clever. Tons of action. Mystery. Excellent effects. Good job!

Cabin in the Woods

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 13 April 2012
Running Time: 95 Minutes
Staring:  Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, etc.
Rating? R
Spoilers? NO

REVIEWS
IMDB: 7.0 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 91% Audience: 73%
MY RATING: Solid 8.. Maybe close to 8.5

STORYLINE
Five teens head off for a weekend at a secluded cabin in the woods. They arrive to find they are quite isolated with no means of communication with the outside world. When the cellar door flags itself open, they of course go down to investigate. They find an off assortment of relics and curios, but then one of the women reads from a diary and awakens a family of zombie killers. However there is far more than meets the eye.

MY REVIEW:
This was a classic horror movie with a magnificent twist! I remember when Scream came out and it was different, almost like it poked the horror genre bear and it was well-done. This has the same feeling. As soon as you realize the "plot twist" this movie takes on a whole new direction. It was a plot twist to end all plot twists. I absolutely loved this movie. It was clear to me that this film was made with people like me in mind. Excellent job!

The Innkeepers

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 29 March 2012
Running Time: 101 Minutes
Staring:  Sar Paxton, Pat Healy, and Kelly McGinnis
Rating? R
SPOILERS? NO

REVIEWS
IMDB: 5.5 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 79% Audience: 42%
MY RATING: 7 of 10

STORYLINE
During the final Days of the Yankee Pedlar Inn, two employees determined to reveal the hotels haunted past begin to experience disturbing events as old guests check in for a stay.

MY REVIEW:
This movie is cerebral and the anti-slasher movie. There are no scantily-clad teenaged girls being chased through the woods my masked evil-doers. It's not a zombie movie.

This movie makes you think and forces you to pay attention and it really does an amazing job of telling the story. It's dark and delightful and full of pretty decent scares. It leaves you with just enough uncertainty to make this a wonderful scary movie!

The Hunger Games

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 23 March 2012
Running Time: 142 Minutes
Staring:  Jennifer Lawrence. Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth
Rating? PG-13
SPOILERS? NO

REVIEWS
IMDB: 7.3 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 84% Audience: 81%
MY RATING: 8 of 10

STORYLINE
In a dystopian future, the totalitarian nation of Panem is divided into 12 districts and the Capitol. Each year two representative from each are selected by lottery to participate in the Hunger Games. Part entertainment and part brutal retribution for a past rebellion, the televised games are broadcast through Panem. The 24 youths are forced to eliminate their competitors while the citizens of Panem are required to watch. When 16-year old Katniss Everdeen's you g sister Prim is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives, some of whom have been in training their whole lives.

MY REVIEW:
I have to say this was almost as good as the book. They did a great job with the casting and theme and just enough humor to tie it into a nice little bow. I enjoyed watching Katniss, played by Jennifer Lawrence, develop through the movie and end up with a believable and likable character. The stars for me were Seneca Crane, played by Wes Bentley and Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman.  I liked Peeta (Josh Hutchinson) as the damsel in distress throughout the movie, and I liked the chemistry between Peeta and Katniss. Enjoyed three movie. Must see.

21 Jump Street

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 16 March 2012
Running Time: 109 Minutes
Staring:  Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube
Rating? R
SPOILERS? NO

REVIEWS
IMDB: 7.2 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 85% Audience: 82%
MY RATING: 8 of 10.

MY REVIEW:
I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. I expected a shot-for-shot style reboot of the old 21 Jump Street TV Show, but it's clearly not what the film-maker had in mind.

This was a somewhat hilarious bromance with excitement and comedy and a little drama. It was really pretty good. Solid 8 on my scale.

Silent House

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 9 Mar 2012
Running Time: 86 Minutes
Staring:  Elizabeth Olsen, Adam Trese, Eric Sheffer Stevens, and more
Rating? R
SPOILERS? NO

REVIEWS
IMDB: 5.3 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 41% Audience: 30%
MY RATING: 5 of 10

STORYLINE
This movie is about Sarah and her father as they go to their lakeside retreat to pack up inside because it's being sold. While there, her uncle also helps get the place up to scratch has to leave to get an electrician to check the wiring, but after he goes, she starts hearing noises and seeing what the things are people inside the house. Soon she and her dad are attacked by someone or something and they end up in a fight for their lives. But there's something more going on that what she thinks.

MY REVIEW:
This was a remake of a 2010 Uruguyan film of the same name, but in Spanish, La Casa Muda. I feel that this was a decently successful movie. It was effective and a little scary at first, but the twists allow it seriously to go downhill.

Elisabeth Olsen stars as Sarah and her father John, played by Adam Trese and her Uncle Peter, Eric Sheffer Stevens and their trip to their vacation house to clean it up and see it. That;s when the strange stuff happens. Starts out pretty slow and gets intense and creepy. The real time aspect of this being shot as one long sequence is interesting but it's a serious weakness for me. It's scary at times, but also pretty boring. Decent movie, but not great.
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Red Lights

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 2 Mar 2012
Running Time: 114 Minutes
Staring:  Sigourney Weaver, Robert De Niro, Cillian Murphy
Rating? R
SPOILERS? NO

REVIEWS
IMDB: 6.2 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 29% Audience: 36%
MY RATING: 8

STORYLINE
The skeptical psychologist Dr. Margaret Matheson (Sigourney Weaver) and her assistant Tom Buckley (Cillian Murphy), are specialists in disclosing fraudulent paranormal phenomena. When the famous psychic Simon Silver (Robert De Niro) reappears to his public after many years of absence, Tom becomes singularly obsessed in determining whether Silver is a fraud or not.

MY REVIEW:
This was yet another good call by a friend at work. This was a thriller with some weird supernatural twinges, but is at least smart enough to build some sensibility in character development and let the scenes ruminate before letting some of the weird creepy stuff into the deal. Subtle references to some classic horror pieces such as the Omen and such. The casting was awesome. Sigourney Weaver and Cillian Murphy play paranormal debunkers looking into Robert DeNiro's character.

Suspenseful, interesting, and full of twisty-plot goodness! 

ATM

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 2 Mar 2012
Running Time: 90 Minutes
Staring:  Alice Eve, Josh Peck, Brian Geraghty
Rating? R
SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS
IMDB: 4.7 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 9% Audience: 23%
MY RATING: 1

MY REVIEW:
You know what ATM stands for in this movie? A TERRIBLE MOVIE!!

This movie not only asks me to suspend belief but to rip that little thing into tiny itty bitty pieces and toss them in the fires of Mount Doom.

I was hoping for something like a trapped scenario and looking for some good plot twists but this was beyond ridiculous! Everything that the characters do is just dumb and if you have one iota of a shred of intelligence anyone could just figure out that there are THREE people and ONE guy trying to kill them.  If everyone ran in a different direction, he couldn't get all of them! Yeah, one person might have to sacrifice for the greater good, but that would have been a good ending!

Anyway, it's too predictable and just not worth putting the hour and a half. Don't waste your time!