The Diabolical

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: Original release 16 March 2016 at SXSW Film Festival, release date 16 October 2015 via Blue Ray
Running Time: 1 Hour and 26 Minutes
Staring:  Ali Larter, Max Rose, Chloe Perrin
Rating? Unrated
SPOILERS? NO

REVIEWS
IMDB: 4.6 of 10
MY RATING: 5

STORYLINE

Madison, a single mother, and her children, are awoken nightly by an increasingly strange and intense presence. She seeks help from her scientist boyfriend Nikolai, who begins a hunt to destroy the violent spirit that paranormal experts are too frightened to take on.

MY REVIEW:
I'd like to start by saying that this was a straight to Netflix movie and I can see why. It had a strong idea and failed to live up in several ways.

I thought this was going to be another Horror movie released to Netflix and it's "Unrated" rating gave me reservations. This was SOOO not a ghost story or horror flick at all. It was a pretty decent story dressed up to sell. It was good, but unpolished. This is definitely a Sci-Fi movie. It's slow to form and definitely takes about 45 minutes to really set the story in motion.

It's creative and imaginitive. Ending was worth the wait.

Crimson Peak

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 16 October 2015

Diretor: Guillermo del Toro
Running Time: 1 Hour and 59 Minutes

Staring:  Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston and Charlie Hunnam

Rating? R

SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS

IMDB: 6.6 of 10

MY RATING: 4

STORYLINE

Edith Cushing's (Mia Wasikowska) mother died when she was young but still watches over her. Brought up in the Victorian Era she strives to be more than just a woman of marriageable age. She becomes enamored with Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston), a mysterious stranger, After a series of meetings and incidents, she marries Thomas and comes to live with his and his sister, Lady Lucille Sharpe (Jessica Chasten), far away from everything that she has known. The naive girl soon comes to realize not everything is was is appears as ghosts of the past quite literally come out of the woodwork. Suspense more than gore.

MY REVIEW

I love Guillermo del Toro and typically find his movies to be refreshingly different. I'm not gonna lie, I chose this movie for the simple fact that Charlie Hunnam was in it! This was not the typical del Toro movie. Good not great. 

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• Visually, this is a great movie. The settings, the camerawork. They were characters in themselves. 
• Costumer did an awesome job!

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• This is a badly written movie. The plot is so cheap that I as a typical horror movie watcher, saw through the twists and turns before they were even on the screen.
• SOOO SLLLLOOOOOWWWW! Pick up the pace a little!
• Back off on the CG a little, will you!?!?
• The female characters! Oh My GOD!! This was too much sugary sweetness!
• I was so bored that I actually wanted to get my phone out in the movie!

On a more personal note.... Went to get coffee with Kimber this morning in Norfolk. This poster was above the door and I loved it soon much! Storm Troopers with Kiss Faces! AND this afternoon, I drove home after work and I really love how the house is coming along. Can't believe it's been a months since we bought it!! And at the end of the day, Dexter Morgan had his baby check up at the vet and he fell asleep in my arms! I love this little guy! Who falls asleep at the vet?!?! This boy! 

Don't Blink

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 18 September 2014
Watched: Netflix 10 October 2015
Running Time: 1 Hour and 32 Minutes
Staring:  Brian Austin Green and Mena Suvari
Rating? Unrated
SPOILERS? NOPE

REVIEWS
IMDB: 4.8 of 10
MY RATING: 3, Watch Drunk

STORYLINE

Ten people arrive at a secluded mountain resort to find it completely deserted. With no gas for the return trip, the visitors are forced to stay and investigate the mystery surrounding the abandoned lodge.

MY REVIEW:
So, Netflix has given me great fulfillment in the fact that I love scary movies and now, there are a ton of them that I have never heard of at the touch of the button. I saw this starred Brian Austin Green. {I was a closet 90210 fan}

I think it was a strong start, but it spins out into a death spiral really fast for me. There is no cliché that is left untouched. There is a general rule to storytelling and that I learned so many years ago from my favorite writing professor in college. 1- Get your hero/heroine up a tree. 2- Throw rocks at them. 3- Get them back down/ or not. This fails on so many levels!

Mixed with weak character development and stereotypes that are beyond ridiculous, this was a shallow attempt at a backstory that left me with no care for them at all. I really wanted them to all die!

If you want to see for yourself, it’s on Netflix! Big fail!!

The Martian

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 2 October 2015

Director: Ridley Scott
Writer: Drew Goddard and Andy Weir
Running Time: 144 Minutes

Staring:  Pretty much just Matt Damon

Rating? PG-13

SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS

IMDB: 8.2 of 10

MY RATING: 8

STORYLINE

During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But, Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on a hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal earth that he is alive.

MY REVIEW

I think 8 is a pretty good rating for this movie. I think Hollywood is going to need a new genre of film soon.. Instead of drama or adventure, this would be a Save Matt Damon film. (Bourne, Interstellar, Saving Private Ryan type.) Basically, there are a few side characters who have some great lines, but this is mainly a Damon film. Yes, there are some decidedly unrealistic scenes and plot lines, but this is NOT a documentary, this is a movie!! It's bright and intelligent. Great show. Go see it!

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• Science- I am pretty happy that the writer/producer/director combination stuck with the science and did not try to dumb it down or modify it to be more "film acceptable." Well, at least there was a valiant attempt to be scientific and realistic. For the most part, they were successful!
• Matt Damon- He was likable and made you care whether or not he would be saved from the desolate red planet. His use of science and silly statements made him all the more enjoying.

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• I just couldn't give this higher than an 8.
• Pretty formulaic for a suspense/rescue movie.

On a more personal note..... This week at work---- My cube neighbor Mike brought in a cold-brew coffee station and set it up at his desk. Interesting. It's quite delicious and convenient! I got a shoot (blanks) a gigantic gun in testing and I get a new Star Wars necklace! 

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Sicario

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 2 October 2015

Director: Denis Villeneuve
Writer: Taylor Sheridan
Running Time: 121 Minutes

Staring:  Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, and Benicio Del Toro and many more

Rating? R

SPOILERS? Not really :)

REVIEWS

IMDB: 8.1 of 10 / Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 92% Audience: 90%

MY RATING: 9

STORYLINE

An idealistic FBI agent {Blunt} is enlisted by a government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs at the border between the US and Mexico.

MY REVIEW

This was a deeply intense movie. There were so many moments that left me with an uncomfortable feeling, however, I'm sure this was intentional. It was dark, very dark. I not only think it was intentional, but necessary to be as such. The discussed themes delve into the depths on the extreme evil that is still happening in the drug trade in Mexico and in the US. Again, it's extremely intense and disturbing. From the opening raid on a house in Arizona to the night border crossing, to the final sequences... PURE awesome! GO see this movie!

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• The cinematography is stunning. There was a few scenes that I actually wanted to take out my iPhone and snap a shot. AMAZING! There was an eeriness about the vast nothingness that was in the imagery as they transition from the US to Mexico. The sharp distinction between the US homes and the Mexican homes is disturbingly real. Uncomfortably real. 
• The choices for the casting were spot on. Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toto are insanely great to watch. Emily Blunt played Kate Macer, a visibly internally tormented person who lives for her job as an FBI Agent in Arizona. She's been singled out by some government agency led by Josh Brolin, who at first seemed that he would be solely used for Comic Relief, but turned into so much more! And Mr. Del Toro. Wow! What an amazing character!

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• Plot- This is where I have to say that the movie fails to live up to the casting and intensity of the story. In some areas, the plot really didn't seem like it was as interesting as it COULD have been. What this movie least me with was an unsatisfied hunger for resolution. One is certainly left with some things to think about due to the themes, characters and ideas being levied, however, the plot leaves holes for me that go unfilled. 

On a more personal note..... Look at this little guy!  We've had him for about 2 weeks. His name is Dexter Morgan. He's half Domestic Shorthair and half Munchkin. He's so TINY!!!

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Orpheus in the Underworld

GENERAL INFORMATION

View Date and Location: 27 September 2015 at the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk, VA

Premiere Date: 21 October 1858 at the Theater des Boufffes-Parisiens in Paris, France
Language:
Composer: Jacques Offenbach
Director: Sam Helfrich

REVIEWS

MY RATING: 10

STORYLINE

There is a little difference between the rulers of heaven and hades, Orpheus has no interest in rescuing his wife Eurydice, whom he really just does not like, and the phrase "go to hell" is usually a cause for rejoicing. Her sudden death while having an affair with a handsome Acadian bring s the pair to hell, where all meats are roasted and all the guests are toasted. 

MY REVIEW

The snappy and sassy retelling of the Orpheus story by the Virginia was much needed. The original Offenbach story was a little dull and the little hints of fun that Helfrich brings are much appreciated. I loved the risqué nature of the "devils" and they did get the best songs and production numbers!

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• COSTUME DESIGN- this was likely my most favorite part of the whole opera. The costuming was a never-ending smorgasbord of amazing dress and a half-cocked circus. Loved this so much.
• DIRECTION- Master piece!
• SET DESIGN- Just look at that backdrop! It was sexual and sensual and really made sense with the story. The "songbird" that was a mix of heaven and hell was my favorite part.

Black Mass

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 18 Sept 2015

Director: Scott Cooper
Writer: Mark Mallouk and Jezz Butterworth
Running Time: 122 Minutes

Staring:   Johnny Depp, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dakota Johnson and many more!

Rating? R

SPOILERS? NO

REVIEWS

IMDB: 7.7 of 10  / /  Rotten Tomatoes: Critics-76%, Audience- 77%

MY RATING: 9

STORYLINE

The true story of James "Whitey" Bulger, the brother of a state senator and the most infamous violent criminal in the history of South Boston, who became an FBI Informant to take down a Mafia family invading his turf.

MY REVIEW

The movie is BASED on facts. There is a documentary out called "Whitey: United States of America v. James J. Bulger" that I suggest you see BEFORE you see the movie. (Click HERE to read my review of the Documentary.)

Excellent. GO SO THIS MOVIE!

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• Johnny Depp IS amazing in this movie. He truly transformed into James Bulger with the unnerving yellowed smokers tooth and odd blue eyes. He was the star of this movie, hands down. 
• The cinematography and the script are pure gold. I feel like the entire cast made their part in making this a very well done movie.

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• Characters- Johnny Depp's Whitey Bulger is really the entertainment value here. The remaining characters are really nothing special, no real value to build development for me at all. I could really have cared less for these people. 
• This movie attempts to cover too much ground to smash into a tight 122 minutes.

On a more personal note..... Look who we met today!?!? This is going to be out new little one! His name is a tie currently between Dexter Morgan and Tyrannosaurus Rex. I hope Jinx is okay with this when we bring him home in a few days!!

The Man from U.N.C.L.E

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 14 August 2015
Running Time: 116 Minutes
Staring:  Armie Hammer, Henry Cavill and Alicia Vikander
Rating? PG-13
SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS
IMDB: 7.6 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 68% Audience: 80%
MY RATING: 8 of 10

STORYLINE
Set in the early 60's, CIA Agent Solo and KGB Operative Kuryakin work on a joint mission against a mysterious criminal.

MY REVIEW:
First, I'd like to say that I am not old enough to remember the original series and I don't recall much from syndication.

The movie definitely set the tone in both fashion and music for it being set in the 60's. Henry Cavill did an outstanding job of speaking in a way that definitely helped with the message of the movie. He played Napoleon Solo, a delightfully suave and intelligent crook turned CIA guy. Guy Ritchie, whom I typically scoff at as a director, did well with the cinematography.

Storyline was fun and entertaining and did keep you on your toes. I loved the multiple storylines and the over the top choreography really brought out the 60's tv show idea for me. It was a pretty decent hit.

Sinister 2

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 21 August 2015
Sequel to: Sinister October 2012 Review HERE
Running Time: 97 Minutes
Staring:  Shannyn Sossamon is the only one that I have ever even heard of before!
Rating? R
SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS
IMDB: 5.6 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 12% Audience: 46%
MY RATING: 2!

STORYLINE
Following the events from the first film, a different family (mother and her two sons) move into a rural house that's marked for death. When the deputy from the first firm, now a paid private investigator, learns that the family is next in line to fall to the demon Bughuul, he races to stop it from happening.

MY REVIEW:
Let me begin by saying that I did like the first one. I gave it a 7 of 10. That being said, this may be one of the worst movies I have seen in theaters since "Unfriended." Let me explain:

The main character, whim I never even really found a need to learn his name, is ridiculous! His lackluster personality made his screen-time less than interesting. He seemed like he just did't get why he was there. The kids were utterly annoying. Yes, I don't like children much anyway, but these kids were really low on the theatrically trained scale. They really needed less screen time!  The Mom, played by Shannyn Sossamon, was just a placeholder. She read the lines and acted, but I don't think she was the right fit for this character.

Bughuul-- The first movie at least let him be scary! He was in the shadows and hardly ever seen. He was IN THIS MOVIE like 45 minutes too much. He looked like Michael Jackson wearing a Slipknot mask. He is menacing, I 100% agree, but he loses the potency with the significant screen time.

I think they just threw a bunch of successful scary movie ideas in a bag, such as Children of the Corn, Saw, etc and drew a few and tossed them on a story board. The plot seems trite... a bunch of dead kids try to get a living kid to watch a bunch of snuff films to desensitize him enough to kill his family. The story relies so heavily on "jump scares" that it's nearing the point of expected scares. I'm not saying that it's not unsettling, because it is! So, we're dealing with the supernatural AND the dysfunctional family of the separated mom and abusive dad and their dumb kids. But never the two actually made a cohesive story. I just kept thinking that the writer and director of this movie had fallen asleep watching Children of the Corn.

It's predictable and poorly executed.

The Gift

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 7 August 2015
Running Time: 108 Minutes
Staring:  Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall and Joel Edgerton
Rating? R
SPOILERS? NO

Just Because You're Done With The Past Doesn't Mean The Past Is Done With You.

REVIEWS
IMDB: 7.8 of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 92% Audience: 82%
MY RATING: 8 of 10 :)

MY REVIEW:
This was a surprisingly good movie. I was not expecting the psychological joyride that came with this movie.

Simon {Jason Bateman} and his wife Robyn {Rebecca Hall} move back to the locale where Simon grew up and in a chance encounter run into an old classmate of his, Gordon {Joel Edgerton}. That's when it all goes wonky!

It's a very cerebral thriller that is both complex and classy. Elegant. When I saw the trailer, I was pretty sure I could see exactly where this would go. I'm pretty good at that! Boy, was I wrong. This film is filled with intentional smoke-screens, reversal of circumstances, multiple perspectives, and all of the moral ambiguity that defines this movie. It's layered, nuanced and surprising.

If I had to give it one little criticism, it would be that the exposition is very slow and the final act leaves more questions that I would typically like in a movie. I like things to be tied up into a pretty bow and this one left unfinished business. Maybe they are setting up a sequel, but it's unlikely.

It's a good movie. Don't take the kids and and PAY ATTENTION!!