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.
'
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.