The Search for Michael Rockefeller

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 2011 (Actually watched December 2015)
Running Time: 90 Minutes
Staring:  Documentary
Rating? N/A
SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS
IMDB: 6.3 of 10
MY RATING: 8

STORYLINE
In 2007, filmmaker Fraser C. Heston discovered a cache of lost footage shot by adventure-author Milt Machlin during his expedition to the cannibal coast of New Guinea in 1969, in search of the lost scion, Michael Rockefeller. The film includes previously unreleased footage and eye-witness interviews, including some startling revelations, which shed new light on the unsolved mystery of Michael's disappearance. In the tradition of Werner Hertzog's "Grizzly Man", director Fraser Heston, has created an entirely new film from Milt Machlin's unedited epic documentary. The disappearance of Michael Rockefeller is one of the enduring unsolved mysteries of the 20th Century. In 1961, Michael Rockefeller left on a voyage down the cannibal coast of New Guinea in a trading canoe. Several miles off shore, heavy seas swamped his craft. After a night adrift, Rockefeller set out to swim for the distant shore, leaving his companion with the fateful words: "I think I can make it..." He was never seen again. Or was he? Author and journalist Milt Machlin, on a wild lead, went to New Guinea in 1969 to find him. "If by the remotest flight of fancy Donahue's story should be true, Michael Rockefeller would have to be found. I was determined to be the one to do it." - Milt Machlin.

MY REVIEW:
You know what, this was not that bad. After I watched, I was intrigued and did a little more research into this and what I found was pretty interesting. I would have given this a 10, but the story was not told in the most exciting manner. I think they could have jazzed it up a little bit. I mean, this is the son of a BILLIONAIRE and he was likely eaten by CANNIBALS! Where was the drama!!?!?!

That being said, I did enjoy the history lesson and the "what might have happened" scenarios that were presented. When this  happened, the world was still a little bit unknown and dangerous in a different way than it is now. Although it was never really determined if he died, was eaten or made it to safety... I think the debate is an interesting one and I would be happy to do a little more research and maybe take a trip out there and check it out for myself. (Not really!!)

If you like history, documentaries and unsolved mysteries.. this is a good choice for you!!

Sisters

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 18 December 2015
Running Time: 118 Minutes
Staring:  Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, etc.
Rating? R
SPOILERS? YEP

REVIEWS
IMDB: 6.3 of 10
MY RATING: 3

STORYLINE

Two sisters decide to throw one last house party before their parents sell their family home.

MY REVIEW:
Wow is really all I have to say about this movie, and not wow in a good way. What went wrong? What happened to the story? Why did they feel this movie needed to be made?

This was just painful. Nothing happened. It's basically a gender-swapped Step Brothers. It's people, on the verge of 50, acting like children. In Step Brothers, it was hilarious because it showed the baffled reactions of everyone around the two main characters as they acted like buffoons. In this movie, nobody seems to react to how ridiculous these two are. In fact, everyone around them is equally immature. All these over-the-top characters kept popping up. Maya Rudolph plays a bitter "mean" girl, John Leguizamo plays a STD ridden sex freak, and Bobby Moynihan plays the former class clown that nobody thought was funny. Moynihan actually, quite barely, saves this movie from being absolutely unbearable, because his character was basically a walking non-sequitur (ala Brick Tamland, Ralph Wiggum).

It's just an odd set of really, unfunny jokes. That's it. Gags that don't set up and lead to nowhere. The only shred of a story that exists is hastily established and wrapped up within the final 20 minutes of the movie. They just weren't thinking while making this.

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This girl!! Jenni and I were lucky this morning at at work to be the recipients of Mimosa Friday! I mean, where else can you have a cocktail at 10 am!?!?!

Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 18 December 2015
Running Time: 136 Minutes
Staring:  Daisy Ridley, John Bodega, Oscar Isaac, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, and many more!
Rating? PG-13
SPOILERS? NO
REVIEWS
IMDB: 8.3 of 10
MY RATING: 10

STORYLINE
30 years after the defeat of Darth Vader and the Empire, Rey, a scavenger from the planet Jakku, finds a BB-8 droid that knows the whereabouts of the long lost Luke Skywalker. Rey, as well as a rogue stormtrooper and two smugglers, are thrown into the middle of a battle between the Resistance and the daunting legions of the First Order.

MY REVIEW:
I guess I should begin this by saying that I am EXTREMELY BIASED towards Star Wars. I  know that any review that I write of this movie will be ruined by that fact.

I have read a ton of reviews that say this was a bad copy of the original and Disney messed it all up. More reviews that call it a bad reboot. Although the IDEA is not foreign to me and in some of it has rings of truth. I do disagree. I am happy that JJ Abrams took the time to put his efforts into giving the Star Wars fans a great ride.

This movie hit all of the emotions that I knew  I would have in the Star Wars universe. It was dark and emotional and funny and moments that transcended all of those.  The new characters introduced were pretty interesting. Adam Driver as Kylo Ren. He played the tormented tortured soul as easily as it could have been! Daisy Ridley as Rey was surprisingly great for a new actor. And finally Finn played by John Boyega was awesome. He was funny and serious and played his part so well.  Returning to the role as Han Solo, Harrison Fold and the awesome Princess Leia played by Carrie Fisher brought great joy. And yet another amazing score by John Williams.

I loved this movie.

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Also, I was the FIRST IN LINE to see it tonight! I think I rocked the first spot in the line pretty hard with my small Coke Zero and bag of raisinettes.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 20 Nov 2015
Running Time: 2 Hours and 17 Minutes
Staring:  Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutchinson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, Jena Malone, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci and Many Many More.
Rating? PG-13
SPOILERS? NO

REVIEWS
IMDB: 7 of 10
MY RATING: 9

STORYLINE
As the war of Panem escalates to the destruction of other districts, Katniss Everdeen, the reluctant leader of the rebellion, must bring together an army against President Snow, while all she holds dear hangs in the balance.

MY REVIEW:
This movie picks up just where the last installment left us with Katniss still coping with her role and dealing with Peetas continued destruction under President Snow.

It's dark, intense and scary. It's definitely a shocking jolt that shows the true consequences of war, yet still remains true to the 'Hunger Games' theme. This being that the Capitol ultimately becomes the arena. Mockingjay Part 2 is without a doubt the most emotional of the series as some of the most adored characters are killed off in very brutal ways. You also get to see Katniss struggling mentally and emotionally, yet being brave and courageous. This is why I believe she inspires so many people. Jennifer Lawrence is absolutely magnificent and really brings out Katniss' emotions. I strongly believe that she is the right person to play Katniss and I couldn't imagine anybody else playing her.

Overall, this film is an on edge; intense thrill ride filled with emotion, action and tells a story that should inspire a generation. This film ticks most of the boxes that anyone would want to see in a blockbuster to be entertained. The whole Hunger Games Franchise is without a doubt the best YA series, and Mockingjay Part 2 gives fans a satisfying and thrilling end to a journey, which should be remembered for decades.