Godzilla - Movie Review

I really have to say that with all the hype surrounding this movie, I was really expecting something huge and thrilling. What I got wasn't far from it, but Godzilla unfortunately doesn't feature it's key player for more than maybe 25 minutes of the movie. That's right, Godzilla is somehow a supporting character here, with a more human-based script. Now don't get me wrong, I think it's amazing when blockbusters can combine real human story and large action sequences, but my main problem was that it didn't feel balanced enough.

To start, the acting was great. Really no complaints here. Bryan Cranston did fantastic as always, Elizabeth Olson did the best with what the script gave her (her character, unfortunately, very underutilized), and Aaron Taylor-Johnson had some of the best scenes and carried the movie, in my opinion. Other supporting actors all did great with what they were given, but most characters fell into the generic action movie roles.

The effects were spot on when the action sequences began. Godzilla owned whenever he was on screen and created for some great 3D visuals. There were also two other creatures featured in this movie, and I have to say their story was pretty interesting too and it was awesome seeing the three battle and creep around the world. It created for a lot of suspense and thrills. Again, my complaint was that these beasts were simply underused. If you're going to call a movie Godzilla, don't just give him a small scene in the middle and a supporting role in the finale. However, I understand that the first movies in franchises often don't get large budgets, so if Godzilla is deemed successful and another movie is greenlit, I'd expect to see more Godzilla with the higher budgets. Just don't go in expecting him to run the film.

Also, I loved the sets and scenery here. From jungles to Japan, and mines to metro trains, the sets created such a suspenseful world and fully immersed us in how much danger this world was in. I also have to say, some shots were absolutely stunning. The one that comes immediately to my mind was the army jumping out of the plane and descending eerily into the fog, where brief lightning flashes revealed the looming shadow of Godzilla. It was the focus on details like this that truly made the movie unique for me, and I'd recommend it solely based on the art direction.

Otherwise, I'd say if you're interested in some thrills and great visuals, Godzilla is definitely for you. It's intense, suspenseful, and packed with all the right things. Just remember to not expect Godzilla 24/7, or you will surely be disappointed. Instead, take it for what it is and you're bound to have a good time.

My Recent Netflix Addiction: Bob's Burgers

I'm not entirely sure why I began to watch this show. I already watch Family Guy, American Dad, and South Park. And over time, that type of show got a little dull. It was always the same formula, the same characters, and the same types of satire. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I wanted something new. I definitely found it with Bob's Burgers. This show is filled with characters that never get boring and can always pull a laugh from me. Each are relatable in their own little way and find their moments to shine and truly create a show that is different from all the rest.

The voice acting is spot on with this show. You've got the insane little sister, the obnoxious brother, the depressed teen, the oblivious mother, and the stern father. Combined, this family is a winner on screen. Their chemistry flows so well together and the comedic timing is really what bumps this show up from the mediocrity of other prime time television. It's a difficult task to get comedic timing right when it's an animated show, but I do think Bob's Burgers has found the correct way to do that.

You would think that after a while, a show about a family running a burger joint would grow dull and repetitious, but it is quite the opposite. Every time you feel like you can't imagine where they'll go next, they pull out some insane plot point that is downright hilarious. It's absurd, for sure, but each episode brings something fresh to the table that you really couldn't have conjured in your wildest thoughts.

Netflix makes it entirely too easy to binge watch this show, so a fair warning to you all. If you're ever feeling down, the short 20 minute episodes are easy to consume and before you know it, you'll be all out of episodes. It's honestly a great show to watch with any audience, since it doesn't have the offensive edge of Family Guy but also isn't cheesy like most animated TV shows. It's a sure way to get people to smile, filled with witty humor and plenty of quotes that you may find yourself remembering at random times. All in all, I highly suggest it. Perhaps make it a part of your summer Netflix schedule!

How to Construct a Movie Marathon

Have you ever been hanging out with friends and just completely not know what movies you want to watch? Then you all kind of stall until you choose some mediocre TV show and everyone ends up talking over it anyways? Well it's time to say farewell to that poor selection system. Today, I'd like to talk you through how I plan which movies I plan on watching and how you all can do it as well.

I guess the most important thing is to figure out which genres everyone likes. That's probably the hardest part, because everyone has such different preferences toward which kind of movie they'd like to watch. But if you can at least narrow it down to a genre, the choice will be much more condensed and easier to decide on. A quick tip I have is don't rely on everyone liking the horror genre. This is one that you really need to know your group of friends, because horror is a really tough genre for people to like. Never plan on showing a horror movie unless everyone agrees beforehand. You don't want that friend that goes "No seriously turn it off" in the middle of it. But it's just getting good. Anyways.

Once you've gotten down to this point, you need to decide if it's going to be a movie that you all will actually watch, or if it's a movie that you can kind of talk over and still understand what's going on. If you're going for the latter, I would highly suggest a comedy film. Comedy allows consistent laughs, but it also usually lets you and your friends talk over it every once and a while and still understand what's going on. If it's one you are all going to watch without talking much, then I'd suggest a drama or a sci-fi. Drama captivates and requires full attention. Sci-fi is a fun genre that will hopefully keep everyone mesmerized. Now when I say sci-fi I do NOT mean those crappy movies you find on the Syfy channel. Those movies could be filed under the comedy section and should be treated accordingly.

You'll also need to decide if you're going to be doing a marathon of a movie series. If so, choose a series that doesn't get worse with its sequels or too repetitive. For example, if you choose Harry Potter, all the movies have such a different theme and tone that it'll always be interesting and will hold attention through the movies. However, if you're thinking about marathoning, say, the Fast and Furious movies, your friends might get bored. All of the 6 movies are basically car racing and car shootouts. While good for a short time, it has too much of a repetitive tone.

All in all, just pick movies that you know you'll have fun with. Though you might feel safer choosing movies you've already seen before, sometimes it's a lot more fun just picking out movies you haven't heard anything about. So remember, narrow it down to a genre (specify to your friends beforehand if you'll be watching horror movies), don't waste too much time deciding, and don't choose movies with too repetitive of a tone. Also remember to try new things. Enjoy your movie marathon!

Neighbors - Movie Review

Neighbors is your fun, exciting, and wildly inappropriate college movie of the summer. It's filled with plenty of sex, swearing, and obnoxious and over the top scenes. So why is this so appealing? Well, the answer is simple. Seth Rogen and Zac Efron both bring characters that the audience can relate to. We either have the more adult behavior of Rogen, constantly overreacting while trying to be a parent and adult figure. Then you have Efron who brings out the wild side of the film with crazy parties and plenty of college festivities. So there's always going to be one character that you especially relate to, and the wild ride continues from there.

The acting was fairly good but the best performance for me was Rose Byrne as Kelly Radner, the wife of Rogen's character. She was consistently on top of things and her comedic timing was spot on. She never missed a moment to shine and she stole nearly every scene she was in. Rogen did his typical performance, which isn't bad, just not necessarily exciting or new. It was fun seeing Efron in a new kind of movie (opposed to his previous career of more kid movies) and he definitely took this opportunity and ran. He plays a great rebellious character and is definitely good at comedic acting. As for everyone else, there was no bad acting. There was just a bunch of pretty decent performances that end up a bit forgettable in the end.

One thing I have to note is there is a lot of laugh out loud material in this. I saw it with a packed crowed and people were bursting out with laughter every minute. I even admit there were a few times where I just couldn't help myself and was clapping along with the shenanigans unfolding on screen. The movie isn't necessarily set up to have strong, developed characters or a unique plot. It's made for the purpose of entertaining and it sure does deliver. So if you're looking for a movie that has a developed plot, this isn't the movie for you. But if you have a desire to see it, I'd definitely recommend doing so. It's also a lot more fun with a large group, so the sooner you go the better. Packed theaters are a lot more fun.

The summer blockbuster season has officially started, and this is the first major comedy of the season. So I'd say if you're OK with plenty of sex jokes (penis jokes), weed jokes, frat jokes, and adults-trying-to-be-young jokes, you're in for a fun ride. My advice would be not to think about everything and just watch it mindlessly. If you think about it too much and put a critical eye on it, it definitely won't be as enjoyable. Just sit back and laugh away. B+

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - Movie Review

Spider-man has always been my favorite super hero. I'm not quite sure why, since I really hate spiders, but somehow this character has found its way into my heart. So when they decided to reboot the franchise as a whole, I was a bit skeptical. The first movie in this reboot was definitely good but all it did was retell the origin story and not much else. So the sequel was really important to get right, of course. And luckily, it did its job and truly showed what the saga had the potential to do. Of course there were a few flaws here and there, but overall it was an amazing viewing experience, all enhanced by some fairly good 3D might I add.

The main thing that pulled this movie together was the amazing chemistry between leads Andrew Garfield (Peter Parker) and Emma Stone (Gwen Stacy). Dating in real life, Garfield and Stone bring their amazing talents and genuine smiles that make the movie more than just the large action sequences. It was always fun to see them together, and it was even great seeing them do scenes on their own. It's refreshing to see two young Hollywood stars with pure talent. Other great actors include Jamie Foxx and Dane DeHaan as our two main villains, both presenting a lot of pathos that make us feel conflicted about which side to root for. And of course, Sally Field is exceptional as Aunt May, who doesn't have too much screen time yet always get my full attention.

Next we're onto the effects, which I can say made the movie very much an experience. What I mean by that is there are many shots that allow us to get right into what's happening, and with 3D it's basically like a roller coaster ride. There are slow-mo shots, buildings crumbling, electric battles, and swinging from the rooftops of New York. Of course, with new technology, it's expected that sets and action scenes should get bigger and better, but this definitely took it to a different level and made it an experience I won't forget.

The writing is perhaps the thing that surprised me the most in this, simply because there were so many genuine moments that provided an experience that blended the large, luxurious effects of a comic book movie and the heart throbs we get in every day life. It mixed together two worlds into one and I loved every bit of it.

I suppose the only flaw I could really see was that it suffered from too many villains a few times. The film has three villains, and I think from time to time it doesn't know how to balance that many. The results were a few scenes that simply didn't have the effect they should have had, but overall the evil sides were strong and powerful in their own ways. Though the movie is 2 and a half hours long, it goes by in a flash. I can't wait for the third one (out in 2016 ya'll!) and I will definitely be watching this one many times.

My Recent Netflix Addiction: Orange is the New Black

Why I continually allow myself to get addicted to television, I will never know. But of course, after finishing House of Cards, I needed another quality show that I could completely binge on. This resulted in me coming across the Netflix original series of Orange is the New Black, and falling in love with it right away. Though currently I'm only 4 episodes in, I can safely say I know it'll only get better. There's a couple reasons why this show is becoming the strong hit that it is.

The setting (a women's prison) at first glance wouldn't seem like they could write a TV show around it. I was skeptical about it too, but that assumption is immediately crushed in the first episode and I quickly found myself being drawn into it. The comedy, the dramatic and touching moments, and the actors all come together and present a show about regrets, pushing through the present, and looking forward to a brighter future.

The whole show is not just set in the prison, might I add. There are many flashbacks to tell the back stories behind the characters we meet in the prison. The way they do this is intriguing and keeps every episode fresh and free from becoming dull.

What's impressive about this show is how perfectly and delicately they can blend dark comedy. One moment I'm laughing until I'm crying and the next moment I'm sitting in pure awe with goosebumps at the chilling and dark side of the show. I'm very glad the show is not just one tone all the time, because when shows do that it doesn't allow for much variation and often doesn't allow for much character development either. What I truly respect about this show is how it isn't afraid to get down to the dark and dirty stuff either. It's a comedy about prison, but it also very much acknowledges that it's a prison too and things won't always be a hapy and comedic time.

Netflix really did get another hit on its hands with this one. Taylor Schilling as our lead Piper Chapman is absolute gold on screen and knows how to work subtle facial expressions and keep her character consistent throughout the show. She, along with many other characters, bring a lot of pathos to the audiences and makes us feel like we really know Piper. Like she's a friend that we need to check in with every once in a while. And that's what makes this show addictive. My advice? Run to your Netflix and watch this all in one day. If that's not possible, I suppose watching it at a normal pace would be acceptable too. But regardless, watch it!

The Other Woman - Movie Review

I am open to absolutely any film genre, but the most off and on genre for me would have to be romantic comedies. They're either really good, really sappy, or just plain dreadful. I'm happy to say The Other Woman is one of those few that is enjoyable for absolutely anybody who watches it, and there's a few reasons why that words. And of course, like any movie, this one has its flaws, some of them a bit big. But overall it's a fun experience, especially if you watch with a big group of friends.

The first thing I'd like to mention is the hilarity that Leslie Mann brings to the ensemble. She is outrageous and knows how to make things funny. The thing I would note about her character is she sometimes reaches the point of being absolutely obnoxious and a bit annoying. But for the most part, she carries the comedic aspect of the film, and she does it very well. Cameron Diaz brings out the sleazy, flirtatious, and blunt side of the ensemble, and it's basically like most movies she's been in (i.e. Bad Teacher.) The only real down side to this is the extremely dull and average acting of Kate Upton. Upton is one of those model-turned-actresses, so basically they only use her for her looks and any characterization she possibly had was thrown down the drain. But combined, these three make up a fairly hilarious combination.

Story-wise, it's not the most original thing in the world. A woman begins dating this guy, the woman finds out he has a wife, the two women team up and find out he has a third girlfriend as well. Eventually, all three women team up and plan out a scheme to make him lose everything he has going for him. I would say it's an adult version of John Tucker Must Die, with a few additional things on the side. Regardless, it's a lot of fun and is filled with some surprisingly genuine and touching moments. There was one point in the movie where I actually got chills because of the true power the story built up to. It's a fairly predictable formula enhanced by a great cast and some well-written scenes.

Looking back on it, I truly would see it again. Romantic comedies often get labeled as bad before they're even released to the public. I say that if you enjoy romance and comedy, you'll probably have a good time. One thing I noticed as it neared the conclusion was that it was simply too long. It got lost on its way building to the end, but it ended on a very strong note, and I loved every minute of it. B

The Quiet Ones - Movie Review

Well I'm not quite sure what I was expecting with this new horror flick. The possession section of horror movies have fallen under the same generic formula, and I'm afraid to say The Quiet Ones is no exception. Its opening credits is filled with random demonic possession pictures from varying, old looking books. Typical, typical. And very quickly it's evident they will not be using actual suspense or horror to keep the audiences interested. Instead, quite ironically, The Quiet Ones uses extremely loud jump scares to keep their audiences tense. But the problem with doing that is there's absolutely no lingering effect that'll give people a reason to remember the movie.

For starters, the acting is actually not bad. Except for the ridiculous and awful acting from Jared Harris, which I'll get to in just a moment. Our teen/early 20's leads are all decent and fairly good with their characters. They can all play scared shitless, sex crazed, and stupid. Everything you need to be a young actor in a horror movie. They all did fine. The one performance that made no sense was Jared Harris, who plays the investigator leading the experiment, trying to cure a girl named Jane who is possessed. His character starts off normal, then all of a sudden he's being the most unprofessional and stupid investigator I've ever seen. He spontaneously throws hissy fits, yells at all his helpers, and has absolutely no morals. He's definitely the worst part about this movie.

Now onto the actual story. It all plays out pretty much how I expected it. I'll even give it some credit for having some genuinely scary camera work and tension building. But once something happened, the excitement quickly waned and the movie just started playing the "guess when our next jump scare is" game. The one thing that I think killed everything the movie had going for it was the god awful ending.

SPOILERS

The end literally builds up this huge conspiracy about what this possessed girl has gone through. It builds up her story and they all get very close to possibly curing her for good, which is what this entire movie is about. The whole plot is finding out what is wrong with her and how to kill it. So how do they end it? She randomly explodes into flames and everyone dies except the cameraman, who is imprisoned and charged for everyone's deaths in the experiments. Are you kidding me?!

Overall, it's loud, packed with jump scares, decent acting, and an semi-interesting plot that is quickly slaughtered by its cop out ending. Is it worth a watch after all that? Surprisingly, I'd say it's a fun one to watch at a Netflix movie night, but definitely don't pay to see this. It's entertaining, but don't expect anything different and genre-changing.

Splitting Finales into 2 Parts - Is Hollywood just aiming for cash?

Hollywood loves money, that much is just a fact. But with audience demands, quality definitely must be something every studio aims to achieve. But recently, a huge trend in Hollywood has blown up, with studios promising it's all to secure the quality of the film... What is this trend you may ask? Splitting film franchise's final movies into two parts. All the movie studios claim it's to allow more adaption from the novel, but honestly it is ending up seeming more and more like a cash grab. However, I can also note that it has its perks.

This all started with Harry Potter, announcing that its seventh film would be split into two movies. At this time, it was actually a really celebrated idea. Many were wondering how they would fit all the complex and precise content from the novel, and the two-way split seemed like the perfect option. The movies were released, and fans rejoiced. They had more opportunities to see their favorite series on the big screen and the adaption was closer to the book as opposed to what only one film would've been able to capture. But from here, Hollywood saw it as twice the opportunity to rake in the millions of dollars.

After Harry Potter was successful in this endevour, the Twilight saga snatched the idea and ran. With the announcement that Breaking Dawn, the franchise's final film, would be separated into two parts, the reaction was quite different. Sure, the die-hard fans were happy, but for most of the other population it was seen as a cash grab. The fourth novel, in my opinion, could have easily been summed up in one more film. The result? Two overly long movies that stretch out scenes that weren't meant to take up 30 minutes at a time. With critics, it crashed and burned. But money-wise, it was raging success. Hollywood had found its trick.

Mockingjay, the Hunger Games' final film, was announced last year as a two-parter, and Divergent's final one Allegiant was announced just under a month ago. Which leaves it up to the viewers to decide: Is it quality they're aiming for, and a more faithful adaption? Or are they simply wanting to stretch it out as long as possible? As the biggest fan ever of the Hunger Games series, I am overjoyed that Mockingjay is getting its two parts. And I guess there lies the answer to this big question.

The two part splits will only truly please the fans of the series. Is it still a cash grab even if they're being more faithful to the book? Probably. But hey, more movie for me is always a plus. Everyone else will have to decide for themselves, but one thing's for sure: once you're hooked on a series, it won't matter if they split it into 4 parts, you'll pay the price for a ticket each time.

My Most Recent Netflix Addiction - House of Cards

Now, believe me friends, the last thing I needed in my already hectic life was a new TV show to get addicted to. But, alas, I had an open Saturday and before you know it, I'm 7 episodes into the Netflix original series House of Cards. I'm not really sure what drew me to it. Perhaps it was all of the good buzz surrounding it, or perhaps because Kevin Spacey and Kate Mara are in it, and they both do no wrong I say, no wrong. Regardless of reasons, I've been hooked on it and I'd like to tell you all why it works so well.

The very first thing that drew me in was the fantastic and flawless narration from Kevin Spacey's character Francis. He introduces us to the world of politics right away in a way that any high schooler could understand. He points out the cliques, who not to mess with, who's got the dark and dirty secrets... It's all very interesting right away. And the show doesn't wait to draw you in anymore, because betrayal occurs right away, and Francis doesn't play by the rules. But then again, neither do any of the main characters.

And perhaps that's why it's so watchable: this show has virtually no characters that represent the all around "good" person. Every single character is doing something dark and below the radar to pull themselves above everyone else. In a way, it's a frighteningly good look at how some things possibly occur in our political system today. Lies, betrayal, sex, and even some violence all whip into this suspense-fully crafted tale.

There's absolutely no secret why this show is continually getting the praise that it gets. It hits all the points that people want to watch today. There's so much more to relate to when it's a show about getting what you want. I know, not what most of us want to hear, but it's honestly human nature to continually want more for ourselves. With House of Cards, each character desires something big, but there are plenty of obstacles in their way. It's absolutely riveting to see the ones succeed, but it's also equally as addictive to see when they slip from time to time. You never know what to expect in any episode with House of Cards.

Overall, it's truly an experience worth your time. If you have a weekend, you should definitely start. But fair warning, it won't be my fault if you accidentally spend 12 hours glued to your TV screen. Sitcoms and comedies are great, but every once in a while, people need a show like this to just watch some damn good television. It's well written, superbly acted, and takes a twist at least every 30 minutes. What more does one need?

House of Cards, seasons 1 and 2, are currently streaming on Netflix. Season 3 is set to premiere in early 2015.

American Horror Story Season 4 Theme Announced

About a month ago, American Horror Story announced that it's fourth season would be titled 'Freak Show.' I haven't really written about my thoughts or anything on it until now because I wanted to see more about where the plot was going, but now that I have a pretty good base of it, I'd like to write about how this might play out.

American Horror Story's third season, titled 'Coven,' had many viewers confused and some even a little angry. Seasons 1 and 2 were both genuinely scary and had many terrifying and bold elements that made this show genuinely scary. But 'Coven' was a bit of a different story, and switched the tone of the show to being a campy, dark comedy. Now don't get me wrong, I absolutely loved season 3 and thought it was a good addition to the anthology series, but many viewed it as very off-putting.

Now that season 4 has been announced as 'Freak Show,' fans are split yet again. Will the tone return to the dark and genuinely scary ways of seasons 1 and 2, or go back to the campy, gothic way of season 3? The story is based in 1950, with Jessica Lange playing a woman who is running one of the last freak show tours going on in America. That's pretty much the extent of what we know plot-wise, but it's enough for me to assume that the show will be returning to its roots while maintaining a bit of dark humor.

This show works so well because it is such a different type of show than anything else on right now. It's an anthology series, meaning that the story is completely different each year. This allows us to dive into a different aspect of American history each time. The sets and actors are completely believable and it truly throws you into a new environment of our history. And even though people often ask me "Why would you ever want to watch a show called American Horror Story?" the answer is always instant. It's because it's a quality show, crafted in a way that lures you back in every single time.

Anybody who knows me knows I'll be a fan of this show til it ends, and then once it's over I'll rewatch all the seasons at least once a year. But I have a pretty good feeling about this season. If there's one thing that show creator Ryan Murphy understands, it's how to disturb audiences while keeping them glued to their TV screens. 

American Horror Story: Freak Show is set to premiere October 2014.

Oculus - Movie Review

Everybody knows I'm a sucker for horror movies. Basically, I find some sort of enjoyment in each one. But Oculus, I can safely say, is a lot better than the majority of the silly and bloody slasher flicks we so often get. Now, this isn't saying that Oculus doesn't come with its flaws, because it most certainly does. But as a horror movie, it definitely wins a lot of respect in my book.

The best way I can put this is that Oculus is like the Inception of horror movies. It is genuinely creepy and there are so many twists and turns, you begin questioning what is real and what is part of the illusion. Oh, I almost forgot to mention what the plot was. Basically, these two siblings had a terrible childhood (their parents slowly went insane and both mysteriously died), which they attribute to a possessed mirror their father had purchased. Now adults, these siblings buy the mirror back from an auction and are determined to destroy it once and for all.

The execution of this movie is absolutely awesome. The whole point of the film is for you to wonder what is actually real and what the mirror is making them think or perceive. It doesn't rely on jump scares or crazy bloody kills. Oculus is a genius movie because it lures an audience in purely because it's intriguing and directed with such intense focus on each scene and each shot. Yeah, you wouldn't expect a movie about a possessed mirror to get this good, but damn does it satisfy

I'd also like to point out that the actors in this movie aren't those typical horror movie actors. You know, the models in their early 20s looking for some cheap project to do to jumpstart their acting careers. No, this movie's stars are awesome actors who pay great attention to their characters and manage to hold an entire audience's attention (because the majority of the movie's focus is on these two siblings.) There are also two kid actors in this that are definitely some of the best kid actors I've seen in a movie.

Overall, this movie rocks as a horror movie. It provides some scares, a whole lot of suspense, and a eerie tone throughout. Keep in mind though, if you go in expecting a movie filled with jump scares and gore, you probably won't be satisfied. It's more of a paranormal drama than anything, but I'd definitely recommend it. It has it's flaws (lack of some character development, a bit of a cop out ending), but it's a definite thrill ride. B+

The Spectacular Movies of May 2014

Summer is the known season for all things movies. You get the giant blockbusters, the romances, the flashy superhero movies, and the over the top comedies. Yet summer seems to be starting a bit early in the movie-world, and it's starting off in an absolutely packed month, May! I was looking over the summer release schedules and I guarantee you'll find something you will want to see in this lineup.

May 2nd: The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Starting off May comes the sequel to the reboot of the Spider-Man saga. The first film was pretty much just a flashier retelling of Spidey's origin story, but this sequel promises to be insane, with 3 villains already confirmed to make an appearance in this movie. The trailers have shown some epic throwdowns in New York, and the effects just keep getting better and better. Expect some great things with this sequel, I have a feeling it'll be loads better than the first one.

May 9th: Neighbors
Zac Efron and Seth Rogen face off in a comedy about a dad and a fraternity guy sneakily pulling huge pranks on each other's lives. It promises a lot of laughs and some hilarious over-the-top scenes that'll be a perfect first comedy for summer. The first time I saw this trailer, I couldn't stop laughing. There's a particular scene where the frat boys steal an airbag and put in underneath Rogen's character's office chair. Needless to say, you can expect a lot of zany fun.

May 16th: Godzilla
                  Million Dollar Arm
We have been waiting for a decent Godzilla movie for basically ever, and with these trailers, it actually looks like they did it 100% right. It's too soon to be sure, but the cinematic style creates for a defined dark tone that definitely shows they paid attention to quality and detail this time around. And Million Dollar Arm is your drama/biography about a man who recruits Cricket players to try out for the MLB. It's one of those "inspiring underdog" stories, so if you're interested in that, it also looks like it'll be a worthwhile pick.

May 23rd: X-Men: Days of Future Past
I got goosebumps while watching the trailer for this movie. Though the movie is about time travel and looks like it'll have a lot of potentially confusing material, I believe director Bryan Singer will bring back what everyone loved about the first few X-Men movies. He really understands the universe and I know he'll do this sequel a lot of good. X-Men has always been one of my favorite superhero sagas, and I cannot wait for it to return to the big screen.

May 30th: Maleficent
                  A Million Ways to Die in the West
Ever wanted a dark retelling of Sleeping Beauty? Well Maleficent is here, and Angelina Jolie looks like she took that role and went all out. Expect some insanely good acting and some insanely good storytelling. And Family Guy creator Seth Macfarlane brings us the outrageous looking comedy A Million Ways to Die in the West. Does it look a bit silly and over the top? Yes. Is it still probably going to be hilarious? Absolutely.

And there you have it. At least 7 movies you should check out this May. The summer movie season has crammed a lot of the best in first, so don't miss your opportunities to check out these sure-to-be hits on the big screen.

The Beautiful Experience of IMAX 3D

Recently I was in Nashville for a national show choir competition. Everything was incredible there, of course. And the warmer weather is always a welcome change. However, our hotel happened to be near a movie theatre with an 3D IMAX screen. Living in Iowa, it is a rare thing to find an IMAX screen within 50 miles of you. Needless to say, once I saw the theatre near our hotel, I freaked out and probably annoyed a few people around me with my random shrieks of excitement. Regardless of their unenthusiastic responses, I was completely pumped. Captain America: The Winter Soldier was fresh and new that weekend; I knew what I'd be doing.

IMAX screens, as you probably know, are just ridiculously huge. The reason I'm writing this blog post is because I personally believe everyone should be able to experience an IMAX screening of a show. When you walk in, the screen is stretched wide, top to bottom, side to side, taking up what seems like three regular sized movie screens on top of eachother. When the movie starts, the surround sound completely envelops you and the 3D is purely phenomenal.

As a movie nerd, and having never seen a 3D IMAX showing, I was in absolute heaven. There was no greater joy to me than seeing  Captain America speed through the city and perform ridiculously awesome stunts and action sequences. There were collective gasps when a particularly beautiful visual sequence took place, and those are the kinds of moments I live for.

Movies are definitely meant to be experiences, not just something you watch, disassociated with whatever's happening on screen. It's supposed to draw you in, make you think, make you feel, make you mesmerized. The IMAX allows that to happen, and I can safely say I would gladly spend the crazy amount it costs for a ticket.

Divergent - Movie Review

I absolutely love the young adult movie genre. I tend to anticipate these adaptions more than most other genres, and it's for the simple reason that they're entertaining and usually refreshing. They whisk you into other worlds constructed by an author, and builds fan bases that support the series like no other. It's like one big party, and I'm so glad to say Divergent was no exception.

The most impressive thing Divergent did (now keep in mind, at this point I have not read the books) was build a new and exciting world. It was well thought out and completely drew me in. Many speculated it would be too similar to how the Hunger Games world is set up, but I can safely say now these are two very different worlds from two different authors. The costuming and sets also supplied nicely to this new world we see, and just on this alone, I can't wait until the sequel hits theatres next year.

But that's definitely not all that was impressive. The next thing that stood out to me was the great acting brought in by Oscar nominee Shailene Woodley. She was intense when she needed to be, vulnerable, brave, and full of emotion, all in one performance. It was so much fun seeing her character Tris unfold on screen, and her acting skills added to the film's success tremendously. And secondly, Theo James plays a decent love interest that will appeal to both male and females alike (though a lot of the eye candy is aimed towards luring teenage girls.) And the last performance I'd like to point out is Kate Winslet, who brings secrecy and suspicion to the movie. Her character unfolds slowly, but she is always unsettling and eerie on screen.

And finally, I'd like to comment on the incredible soundtrack used in this movie. The songs bring emotion and they also support the epic-ness of a lot of the movie. I'm a firm believer that music is a huge part of making a movie's emotions go into the audience, and Divergent did a very great job in intertwining music with some unique cinematography.

My one complaint would be that the movie was simply too long. I felt like some scenes dragged out a lot longer than necessary, and the buildup to the big climax stumbled a couple times. The direction of the movie just seemed to get confused every once in a while, but it still ended in a very satisfying way. I can't wait for the sequel! B+

Bates Motel - My Newfound Obsession

We all know that Netflix is truly an amazing thing, and with spring break it allowed me time to search thoroughly and find some awesome television. But the one show that I absolutely got hooked on was Bates Motel. And now that I've been watching intensely for the past few days, I've compiled a list of reasons why I believe it works so well and stands out from other tv shows.

1. It's actually written with thought
So many writers for television often just throw random plot points into things or to not utilize all the characters it has. This is found way too often in contemporary television shows, yet Bates Motel manages to stay written with such intensity and twists that it can hold your attention for the 45 minutes the episode plays. This is not an easy task nowadays. With technology and distractions, many only half-watch a show while they're busy doing other things. Bates Motel is not that kind of show; it demands your full attention.

2. There is incredible acting
I feel like television actors tend to get in the swing of things and once they do that, their acting techniques hit a generic wall. Nothing really changes, and while for some people that's ok, a lot of what I notice on TV is that actors just seem to stick to what they know. However, with Bates Motel, these actors bring so many different things and techniques to their characters that you never know what to expect. There's hardly any generic material in this, and with actors like Vera Farmiga (nominated for an Emmy award, and also happens to be my favorite on the show) bringing such drastic contrast to her character, it's hard not to be pulled in.

3. It's actually an original idea
For those of you who don't know exactly what this show is about, let me explain. It's a prequel to the classic horror flick Psycho (the famous shower killing scene, to spark some memory), and focuses on that murderer (Norman Bates) and his childhood. It deals immensely with his rough family life and his complicated relationship with his mother. You don't need to have seen Psycho to know what's going on, but if you have seen it, it's incredibly intriguing to get a background story on such a famed film murderer. Finally, a show that isn't contrived on some overly dramatic love story or ridiculous another crime investigation show.

4. There's emotion
Now I'm not talking about wanting to cry every episode, but I'm saying you genuinely begin to feel for the characters. Your mood will change on each one episode by episode, and I think that's just the most fun thing. It's written in such a way that you can find a bit of yourself in each character (ok, well maybe not every single one, there are a lot of very weird people), but it's so good because you can feel what the characters are thinking and actually understand why they do what they do. It's not just some random and poorly written plot line.

5. I can never wait until I get to watch another episode
This show always manages to end each episode on a crazy cliffhanger, and I always want to push the "Next Episode" button. I know I need to start thinking more of how it will affect my life and education, but in the zone I just really don't give a damn. I always crave more, and when you can find that in a TV show, you know you've found a gem. Now, as I write this, I want to sprint to Netflix and flick on the next episode. I will think better of it, because I do need to sleep and fulfill other biological needs, but damn is this a good show indeed.

Lana Del Rey's "Once Upon a Dream" - Maleficent Song Review

When The Great Gatsby was released last year in May, the soundtrack seemed to be the most popular part of the entire project. And overall, we all remember the chilling ballad of "Young and Beautiful" by the one and only Lana Del Rey. It added such incredible depth to what would've been just a generic love scene. But her unique and dark vocals saved the movie and, in fact, made it one of the most celebrated movies of the year. Not in the critical sense, but just that it was different from anything we'd seen.

And now we have the trailer for Maleficent, the upcoming summer movie based on the villain's side of Sleeping Beauty. Think Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland...one of those dark fairy tale adaptions. And what more of a perfect vocalist to do a dark and chilling ballad than Lana Del Rey?

The song Once Upon a Dream is absolutely incredible. It fits the film's tone so well and will definitely add to the story. I feel like I can already tell how the movie will play out based on this song alone. It leaves an air of mystery to it as well, like every good ballad should. I was already excited for the movie because darker adaptions of fairy tales have proved to be successful and wildly entertaining, and now they topped it off with the perfect theme song for it. Now we just wait until May to see how the story will play out with it.

Grading the Super Bowl Trailers

Ah, the Super Bowl. Where advertisements cost millions per second, yet studios don't mind because their film is getting a hefty amount of viewers. So with the movies that are showing their trailers this evening, they certainly better bring their "A" game, because the world is most certainly watching. Here are some of my grades for the trailers shown during tonight's game.

1. Muppets Most Wanted: A-
Though I'm not the biggest fan of the Muppets, I've gotta say that this trailer rocked in so many ways. Instead of taking itself too seriously or dumbing it down to fit a typical children's movie, the trailer blends hilarity of the real world with the zaniness of the Muppets themselves. It's funny and is definitely memorable, which is what these trailers really should be aiming for. And even though I'm not the biggest fan, the trailer even persuaded me. Yet I don't think it did as good as it could've done, because it didn't really show too much of the plot. But all of that aside, it definitely worked, especially on the older generation (which is smart, because their the ones who are paying for all the tickets.)

2. Need for Speed: B-
With basically no dialogue except maybe two or three lines, this trailer is very plainly cars racing around with random explosions and gunfire. There's nothing that shows what it'll actually about (unless of course it literally is just driving and random explosions.) Though I will say the racing scenes seem to be really well made and they definitely intrigued me. But I really think it's just another forgettable car racing movie that'll try to be the next Fast and Furious. 

3. Transformers: Age of Extinction: B-
A fourth one? Huh? Again with hardly any dialogue too. Unless you count the typical girl getting kidnapped and her yelling "Dad!" as he chases after her. It seems like yet another unnecessary film that should just end it where it is. I have to admit, though, that the effects and robot designs seem pretty awesome.

4. The Amazing Spider-Man 2: A
Finally, here's a trailer that's both visually incredible and shows us some of the characters (and villains) that we love. The plot seems to be thickening and the trailer sets the tone fairly well on what we can expect. There's an awesome opening shot of Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) falling high from the sky while trying to grasp our hero (Andrew Garfield) as they smash through a glass ceiling and Stacy only barely survives. The risks are higher and the trailer has definitely shown us that.

It's not all of the trailers, but that gives a pretty good view of what happened this evening. It was overall a kind of disappointing night because not a lot of studios bought time slots for their trailers. Perhaps because their budgets aren't huge and they can't afford the ad costs. But I just hope it isn't because a lot of the big movies this year aren't up to par with what viewers want. But we'll have to see.

R.I.P - Philip Seymour Hoffman

It was just announced today that Philip Seymour Hoffman, 46, was found dead today in his New York apartment. Sources say it was due to a drug overdose.

Hoffman has been an incredible actor to watch through his movies. Though I definitely haven't come close to seeing all of his movies, the ones I have seen just show he was an actor who knew what he was doing. Most recently we saw him in Catching Fire as Plutarch Heavensbee.

Though I'm not really trying to write a tribute to him or anything, since I'm not very well versed in his projects, I do know that this news is devastating. Another great person lost through drug addictions. It's time we start really focusing on how dangerous drugs really are. So many people, even in high school now, view them as a fun pastime that just provides some fun and pleasure. But how many times can we let tragedies like this happen before it affects our own lives? This isn't to say Hoffman was in any way weak, but it just showed that an addiction took over him.

Hoffman gave an excellent performance as Plutarch, and has already filmed all of his scenes for the sequel, Mockingjay Part 1, and only had 7 days of filming left on part 2.

His work as one of the most incredible American actors will be remembered for generations.

The Importance of Music in Film

Movies are usually filled with powerful performances that can make us feel a huge variety of emotions. And it's definitely up to the actors to tell the story and allow us to be immersed into the world the film is creating.  But what we don't realize, something that we really should give credit to, is the film's score (or music that plays in the background) that helps the story run smoothly. Without a score, a movie would only have the acting to tell the story, and while that's what is supposed to happen, without music we are left with something that just doesn't feel whole.

I was looking at the nominations for the Best Score for the Academy Awards. I've seen 3 of the 5 movies nominated, none of which wouldn't have had the same kick they had without an excellent score driving it. The first one I can think of is Gravity. It's a film that doesn't rely much on dialogue to let it have an impact. Instead, the score in the background digs into the emotions the characters feel: dread, fear, suspense, and hope. It's incredible that all we need is background instrumentals to allow us to feel more connected to the story. And in Gravity's case, the music gave it a whole new dimension. To really prove the power of a good score, here's the scene from Gravity where the characters are in huge danger. Listen closely and you can pretty much picture the scene and the emotions pumping through them.

Then there's the score for the movie Her, which, at first listen, doesn't seem too complex. But while watching, you realize how much emotion it really adds to the beauty and heartbreak of the story. No lyrics at all, just pure music that appeases the soul.

And in my opinion, the best score of the year goes to Saving Mr. Banks. The movie itself made me an emotional wreck, but the music layered over the tragic and hopeful story provided one of the most amazing film experiences in 2013. Just listening to the music from it while I type this flood memories from the movie into my mind. Only music can really trigger specific thoughts for me without actually watching the movie itself.

All in all, my point is this: Music needs to start getting more credit for what it does for film. So do yourself a favor and the next time you're watching a movie (hopefully a movie with a quality score) just close your eyes and listen for a moment. See how incredibly it matches the tone. How it can speak the thoughts of the movie while saying nothing at all. That's the power of a score.

Horror Movies: What Actually Makes a Scary Movie...Scary?

Usually when we think of horror movies, we're flooded with images of blood and guts and stupid characters fleeing around half-naked trying to seek shelter. But is this really the first image that we should picture when we think of the horror genre? For too long crappy torture movies and poorly produced storylines have presented themselves on the big screen.

Recently I was watching movies like Texas Chainsaw (2013) and the remake of Halloween. The original versions of both these films were all genuinely scary and presented a psychological factor that the remakes failed at. The original Texas Chainsaw film was genuinely creepy and had an element of true fear. And the original Halloween had pure suspense and relied on nearly no blood and no huge jump scares to carry itself as a truly horrifying film. The remakes are filled with crappy, attractive actors in their young 20's, willing to show skin and have their characters die in crazy over-the-top gore scenes. What went wrong?

I think teens of this generation don't really know what a scary movie is. A scary movie doesn't just throw jump scares at you, but also creates an atmosphere that lingers long after the movie has ended. Some recent movies that have done very well with that are The Conjuring, Sinister, and Insidious. Though modern, these movies maintain an eerie atmosphere packed with suspense and fear that will make it difficult to sleep at night. And not one of those movies relies on an attractive young cast with crazy kills and full on stupidity. So why is it that film makers don't understand that this is what we really want in a horror movie?

As teenagers, we keep giving money to these terrible, cheesy horror movies because they're dumb fun. Don't get me wrong, I love me a crappy horror movie to watch with friends and just sit back and have fun. But there's comes a point when the movie studios just need to stop and think about the audiences. We can still have a fun time at the movies with the scares and still feel something after watching.

So forget about all those terrible movies and start supporting some quality horror films before we have none left to support.

The Oscar Nominations - My Predictions Part: 2

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:

This race, to me, also appears to come down to two people. Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle) and Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave). Lawrence is incredible and adds a lot of depth to what could have been just a silly little comedic relief role, and to be able to do that was awesome to watch on screen. However, Nyong'o is relatively new to the scene and her role was an unexpected hit with audiences, and she could easily take the win. Both are such powerful performances and it's anyone's game. Another side note: Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine) snuck into the nominations after not being nominated for the Golden Globes, so that could be an indication that she'll sneak up and pull a win too. This one is very hard to predict... But I think I'll go with Lawrence.

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM:

I am so mad that Monsters University is not on the list this year, as it's leagues better than The Croods. But because Hollywood likes to make us angry and question our sanity sometimes, The Croods manages its way onto this list over Pixar's incredible film. Despicable Me 2 also made its way on here, but as much as I love those minions, it wasn't anything award-worthy. I really think Frozen will take it this year. Families had flooded to it and report nothing but overly-positive things about it, and it's made a huge splash over critics everywhere.

BEST DIRECTING: 

Really should go directly to Alfonso Cuaron for Gravity. Though the race for films is really tough this year, I feel like this one should just be an immediate lock for Cuaron. His directing has brought what is being said to be the most visually thrilling film to date. I saw Gravity without knowing much, and I walked out of that theater completely in awe on what I just saw. Everything blended together so well and what could have been such a long and dragging story was brought to being a captivating and suspense-filled movie adventure. The only other possible winner would be David. O Russell for his fantastic work on American Hustle, but I really want Cuaron to take this one.

VISUAL EFFECTS:

Should be another quick and easy win for Gravity. Honestly nothing else even comes close so this is probably the shortest one you'll read.

Overall this is an extremely competitive year for movies. Any of these categories could completely throw everyone for a loop. Last year it was, for the most part, easier to pick out what would take home what award. But this year has been filled with award-deserving performances, writing, and directing.

The 2014 Academy Awards will air on ABC, March 2nd.

The Oscar Nominations - My Predictions Part: 1

Well, folks, another year in cinema has passed and let me tell you, 2013 was an incredible year for film making. Visual effects, storytelling, and acting have all blended together to create some unforgettable movies, but unfortunately only one movie can win per category. Here are some of my predictions for the first few major categories, to be continued into another part in my blog.

BEST PICTURE:

9 films were nominated this year (the limit is 10). I'm going to narrow them down here for you. First of all, I'd eliminate Captain Phillips, Nebraska, and Philomena from the huge race because out of all 9 films, those haven't been getting a crazy amount of attention. What I see it really coming down to is American Hustle, Dallas Buyers Club, and 12 Years a Slave. But my overall prediction is 12 Years a Slave taking the win. It won best drama at the Golden Globes and I think the movie is an incredible and eerily brutal revelation about our past. The performances are incredible and it's so well written. It's possible the other two could swing in and take the title too, but it's really hard to tell when the race is so close.

BEST ACTOR:

We can probably just eliminate Christian Bale and Leonardo DiCaprio from this race, even though both turned in some awesome performances. I just feel like both don't really stand up to the other 3 incredible performances from actors this year (but it definitely is possible that one of these actors will win.) I also don't really see Bruce Dern (Nebraska) winning because the movie never really captured a large audience. I see it coming down to Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) and Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club). Honestly either could take it (McConaughey won at the Golden Globes) but I'm going to go on a limb and say Ejiofor will take it.

BEST ACTRESS:

Automatically this race definitely comes down to Amy Adams (American Hustle) and Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine). From this point it's really either one's game. Personally I'd love to see Adams take it because her performance was absolutely mind blowing and gripping. But on the other side of the spectrum, there's plenty of support going towards Blanchett and her role. But overall I'm just going to have to say Adams will win it, and I really hope she does from my personal view.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:

This is another one that seems pretty obvious. Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club) has so much buzz surrounding him that it seems impossible for him not to win. That being said, anything could happen. Though he'd be whom I suspect would take it, I think Bardhad Abdi (Captain Phillips) could come out of nowhere and snatch it. Though I didn't love Captain Phillips, Abdi's performance was incredible and he's very new on the Hollywood scene. Everybody loves an underdog!

ONTO PART 2....

Her - Movie Review and Analysis

This is probably the furthest thing in the universe from a generic love story. I was talking to some of my friends the other day and I brought up this film, only to get a bunch of weird looks and people claiming "It looks so weird" or "It just looks like a sappy romance movie." The concept is a bit weird, I'll give them that. But the unique idea that seems to be getting more and more plausible (a man dating an artificially intelligent operating system) makes this one of the most thought-provoking film in years.

I absolutely loved how this movie was filmed. The wise camera shots and intriguing visuals make this a huge pleasure to watch. A lot of the movie is purely conversation, yet it's not once boring. The screenwriting was just a huge gift to the audience (it actually won best screenplay last night at the Golden Globe Awards) and it definitely shows on screen.

The acting was also probably in the higher rankings of movies I've seen, as it's so genuine and appears to happen effortlessly. But when incredible acting can seem effortless, you know it has some of the best actors. Joaquin Phoenix plays the main character who has just struggled through a break up and becomes attached to his operating system. It's equally beautiful as it is heartbreaking, and his performance really sells the story that could have otherwise been too absurd. My other favorite was Amy Adams, who plays probably the kindest woman ever, and always sees the best in people. She's also probably the most relatable character and also brings up some complex themes.

Alright, now that I've mentioned the themes a few times, I'd like to talk about them. Her places the audience in the not too distant future where people are completely attached to their electronics and devices, which is what we kind of see happening already. Human emotion is dwindling and it poses a rhetorical question that asks us "Do we need social interaction and human affection?" I feel like the true definition of love is always changing, and we see that shift in definition a lot in this film. But in the end I feel like we will always need someone, another human, to be truly happy. Because while talking with a device that gets to know you can be soothing and therapy at times, it's also important to get out and experience the world. What Her achieves is remarkable, I can't recommend it enough. It's engaging, heartwarming (and heartbreaking), and eye opening. It's a true spectacle. A+

My Top 10 Films of 2013

Top ten lists are the hardest things to do, in my opinion. I'm always worried that I'll leave something out, or that I'll spark controversy with my choices. Well this year I say screw it, I'm going to do it anyways. So here are my personal top ten films of 2013.

10. Thor: The Dark World
Marvel has been churning out the superhero movies by the bucketful since their movies are usually vastly superior to other superhero films and definitely a lot more mainstream. I think this year, however, they hit a bit of a snag. Iron Man 3, while awesome, simply didn't live up to the huge expectations. Thor: The Dark World, however, was filled with fun, action, and some incredible acting and world building. I love the mythology of Thor and I was pleased to see that they explored the different realms. It was my favorite superhero flick of 2013.

9. The Conjuring
Horror movies have faced some hardships lately because they've just lost originality and directors seem to just want to make them for the money now. Most audiences settle for some jump scares nowadays, but The Conjuring gives us a bit more for our buck. It's still filled with jumps, mind you, but it also focuses on characterization and has some solid writing and suspense, making it a standout as a horror film and a film in general.

8. Monsters University
I don't care what anyone says, Monsters University had to have been my favorite animation of 2013. Don't get me wrong, I loved Frozen, Despicable Me 2, and The Croods, but Pixar just has a knack for making lovable movies for any age group. The voice acting was awesome, the animation was stellar, and the story was a nice throwback to a classic of my childhood.

7. Prisoners
This film was so under-looked this year, and it was one of the best thrillers I've seen in recent memory. Hugh Jackman especially steals the scenes he's in, as the movie makes us question our morals as we watch in high suspense. It's a gripping, gritty suspense film filled with controversy and emotion.

6. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
What a beautiful film this was. Filled with genuine human emotion and determination, and is visually incredible. I fell in love with it immediately and it made me see life in a completely new perspective. Any movie that can do that is deserving of a spot on my top 10 list.This movie shows you how you should never stop exploring, and always follow those huge dreams we tend to put away as we move into adulthood.

5. Gravity
Talk about gripping. Gravity was, hands down, the most visually stunning movie I think I've ever seen. It didn't rely on much of a script, yet it told the story all through the actions and scenery surrounding it. It was a defining moment in movie history as a huge step forward for visual effects and 3D. Sandra Bullock and George Clooney are fantastic, but the true feat was how jaw-dropping the movie's visuals were.

4. American Hustle
This movie had the best ensemble of actors of the year, in my opinion. Amy Adams brought intensity and determination. Bradley Cooper was filled with life, Christian Bale grounded the movie, and Jennifer Lawrence brought the insanity and unpredictable side of the movie. It really had such good characterization, that even though the script was a little fuzzy and confusing at times, the actors pulled this one through.

3. The Way Way Back
I saw this movie back in the summer and reference it on a near daily basis. It's a story following a teen struggling with a new step dad and overall just trying to fit into this crazy world. It's relatable, funny, heartwarming, and real.

2. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
My favorite book series is unfolding quite nicely with this second installment being spot on. The actors, especially Jennifer Lawrence, bring their characters to life like I've never seen before in a young adult film franchise (except of course, Harry Potter). The world building, plot progression, and suspense building all make this continuation one to remember.

1. Saving Mr. Banks
I didn't know how much I'd fall in love with this movie before I saw it. The story shows that hardships in the past can really drag someone down, but everything can get better when you accept things and begin to look towards a bright future. I was not expecting all the emotional punches and it was definitely my favorite film of 2013.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - Movie Review

I'm finding it very hard to begin this review because this movie is just filled with beauty in all definitions of the word. It explores hardships and the silver linings we can find, the absolute incredible earth we live on, and the strength we can find in our relationships with family and friends. It explores passions and fighting to be our best self, and never giving up on lifelong dreams. Basically, this movie is filled with thought-provoking themes that leave you thinking long after you leave the theater.

Now, the script is by no means award-winning or anything close to that, but it's the storytelling that really steers  the film along in a smooth way. It whisks us through our main character's fantasies that are filled with action and over-the-top ideas he has. But the way the story plays out, using the surroundings to tell the story, is truly the amazing part of this movie. It's hard to explain the movie to one who hasn't seen it, but the true beauty is how everything plays out. It makes the seemingly ordinary things in our life appear to be something grand and memorable.

The acting was a pleasure to watch on screen. With an inspiring performance by Ben Stiller (Walter Mitty) and Kristen Wiig as his hilarious and kindhearted love interest, the movie is always entertaining to watch. The two lead's chemistry is truly awesome to see and it's very genuine, unlike many on screen couples nowadays. Each character brought something new and amusing to the table, and I loved every minute of it, even though it wasn't all perfection.

I think the real appeal of this movie is just the adventure it gives you. Not many movies can tell a story through the visuals and spontaneous camerawork, but this one was a true thrill ride. And again, not all aspects of this movie were the highest of quality, but there was just something so fun about watching it unfold that I looked past the imperfections. There are so many themes in the movie that I left appreciating life a little bit more. It's always a feat when movies can manage to change your views on certain things. It teaches you to let life happen, and don't let anything stop you from achieving life's biggest dreams. The music, the scenery, the camerawork, film making, acting, and storytelling all blend together to create one of 2013's most mesmerizing and beautiful films. A

Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones - Movie Review

Paranormal Activity started out as this small budget movie that was packed with jump scares and was quite literally an hour and a half of pure suspense. It took the found footage genre to a completely new level because it didn't rely on any creepy music or over the top special effects. It was purely based on the building of a simple ghost story into one that would haunt your sleep for the next month.

Then Paranormal Activity 2 and 3 came, both pretty solid entries into the franchise, but things became a bit repetitious. And then, we hit the 4th film and audiences were bored out of their minds. The plot was beginning to not advance at all and things just seemed to have hit a rock. And now we are given a spin-off that is completely a different style than all the previous 4 films. It's based in a town with completely new characters, yet somehow ties together a lot of the mythology from the first 4 films.

In the sense of plot building, this 5th entry (though don't confuse it for Paranormal Activity 5, which comes out this October) is refreshing and gives us a lot of background on why certain things happened in the previous installments. However, this movie also raises more questions than answers, and that's the problem with this franchise. No film has solidly answered questions yet but more and more questions rise. It's fun, mindless entertainment but hardcore fans like me want answers instead of being treated like an unintelligent audience.

The acting was off and on. Often in horror movies the acting is either very generic or way over the top. In this case we get a solid offering of both. And when these actors try to act serious, it just seems so contrived and almost comical. If these movies are to get any better, the actors need to step up their game.

All that being said, I loved this entry simply because it was very entertaining and mindless fun for an hour and a half. But if this series is to continue, I want to begin having my questions answered and for the actors to begin immersing their selves into this world. These flicks are great for loud noises and huge jump scares, but they haven't actually scared me since the third movie. But it's always a good time. B-