Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight (2013) - 2 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Growing up when this whole thing happened I sort of thought this film would give the topic justice.Sadly this HBO film of 2013 that runs 97 minutes only gives us a few clips from then and surrounds them with the story of a bunch of old white men arguing about this issue and the law clerks who serve them.So only the 50/50 recommendation for the very young who don't remember it and then for historic reference only.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.

Ali's biggest match, his fight with the US government. A film about the politics and hubris surrounding the Vietnam War and the revenge exacted on America's greatest sportsman of the 20th century because he refused to fight in that war.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L--qbSFx7I4

My Girl 1991 - 4 stars out of stars

It's hard to describe this film.Its life and death and sad yet joyful.I guess in a word"life".
Oh it has humor and a slick sense of 90's humor,after all it was released in 1991 and runs 102 minutes,but it's about a different time as now is. Perhaps a more REAL time.But make no mistake,the punch in the later part of the film is gut wrenching yet totally and sadly believable and even life reaffirming.I took a star off because i'm not sure if its for kids or not.but it is much better than I had remembered from so long ago and did spawn A sequel I haven't yet seen,but will.The acting is A+ headed by that girl Anna Chlumsky and boy Macaulay Culkin and adults Dan Aykroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.You just might laugh AND cry,I did. 

 Vada Sultenfuss is obsessed with death. Her mother is dead, and her father runs a funeral parlor. She is also in love with her English teacher, and joins a poetry class over the summer just to impress him. Thomas J., her best friend, is "allergic to everything", and sticks with Vada despite her hangups. When Vada's father hires Shelly, a makeup expert, in his funeral parlor, and begins to fall in love with her, Vada is outraged and does everything in her power to split them up. Written by Liz Jordan <c9310494@alinga.newcastle.edu.au>

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3719102745/

Age of Heros 2011 - 3 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2011 and running 90  minutes I first viewed this film because I am a James Bond fan and I was interested in Ian Fleming's (James D'Arcy) true WW11 historical creation of the modern precursor to the  SAS.Nope,only a brief part and more about a mission headed by Maj. Jack Jones(Sean Bean),thus only 3 stars.The story is average at best and only exciting for the insights into commando operations and even that has been shown before.So I can recommend only for diehard WW11 movie fans.Still it is noteworthy that this action novel writer himself lived a sort of action life,if far less glamorous and far more dirty. Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

Based on the real-life events of Ian Fleming's 30 Commando during World War II this is a story which takes our heroes from the edge of defeat on the beaches of Dunkirk to the mountains of Norway on a dangerous mission behind enemy lines that, if successful, could change the course of the war. Written by comingsoon.net 

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi890019097/

City of Life and Death 2009 - 3 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2009 and running a bit long at 133 minutes,I took 2 stars off for being in B&W and long and far more narrow in its scope than I hoped and violent in the extreme, yet its still informative because little is ever shown in this country about the occupation of China by Japan in WW11 but we should not forget it happened as both of those nations today still remember it.The story is centered on one part of the city of Nanjing for the most part,that of where there are foreigners who give some temporary shelter to the locals as well as a young Japanese soldier who struggle with what he sees.While the acting keeps you involved,the length sometimes gets very tedious.Still I recommend for the historical perspective and another example of Chinese film making.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

In 1937, Japan occupied Nanjing, the Chinese capital. There was a battle and subsequent atrocities against the inhabitants, especially those who took refuge in the International Security Zone.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3417376537/

TV Series - The Kill Point 2007 - 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Spike TV had a almost perfect miniseries back in 2007 with this gem.Very "adult"but ringing very probably doable in this crazy world we live in.War messages,and lots of sexual tensions as well  as a good old fashion,if very violent,crime story only makes me take off 1/2 star for uneven acting in minor roles,which was for the most part outstanding with John Leguizamo and Donnie Wahlberg leading the way. Its a same Spike hasn't made anything close to this since,that I'm aware of.I also dug the small yet big town touch of a Pittsburg location.So,it you like a out of the way crime story with good action and acting on a movie level,check it out but ONLY if you are over 21.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.

People in a Pittsburgh bank are taken hostage when a bank-robbery goes wrong. It's the work of a group of initially masked Iraq veterans, lead by sergeant 'Wolf', who also has secret trump-cards outside. The police lays siege to the bank, with experienced Horst Cali as negotiator, whose authority is however challenged by the D.A.'s office, deputy chief Abrami, a local tycoon leaning politically to save his daughter and the FBI. Written by KGF Vissers

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3068526873/

Kingpin 1996 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

OK,the only real problem with this film is all the inside jokes.If you are not a big movie watcher you'll miss a lot this film has to offer,thats the reason I took a star off,and well no kid film ether.However all that said,this 1996 release that runs 113 minutes is funny as hell,if by hell you mean sick twisted and side splitting.Its sort of the "Hustler"goes beyond"The Color of Money"and then some.Even some funny quick cameos,like Rodger Clemens and the sport of bowling( sport??)is just destroyed and seeing  Bill Murray as Ernie McCracken is worth the whole film.The rest of the cast fits just right,but its the zaniness thats over the top thats makes for this "adult"comedy.So the trailer URL is after the picture and a IMDB summary below.

 Roy Munson was raised to be the best bowler in the world (trained early on by his father). But a fellow bowler, Ernie McCracken and a misunderstanding with some rough punks, leaves poor Roy with the loss of his bowling hand! Not to let this get him down, he gets a prosthetic hand and becomes a travelling sales man. But it's really all down hill for him from that night on until ... One day he meets Ishmael who is Amish and sneaks away from the farm to bowl (his fellow Amish would disown him if they knew)! Roy convinces Ishmael to let him be his trainer and he'll make him the best bowler the world has ever seen. Reluctantly Ishmael agrees to go on the road and shortly afterwards actually finds that life outside the farm is quite fun. Soon their paths cross that of Ernie McCracken who is still a top ranking bowler. While Roy's career and life have landed in the toilet bowl, Ernie is still drawing huge crowds and all the babes! They both square off for the ultimate bowling championship ..... Written by Jane Byron Dean <McGinty@aol.com>

http://www.zuguide.com/#Kingpin

Olympus Has Fallen (2013) - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2013 and running 120 minutes,this film asks you to believe in the unbelievable,but isn't that what good action flicks do?? So I did take one star off for the big strech.There was a season of"24",that crazy TV series where terrorists take over the white house.Well THIS movie takes its que from that and then some,its a reach but its a wild video game type ride none the less and a good time.Be warned however it is EXTREMELY VIOLENT and  Gerard Butler's  portray of Secret Service agent Mike Banning makes Jack Bower of"24"seem like a alter boy !!!The rest of the cast works well also but the FX and story is the key here,not withstanding the likes of Morgan Freeman ect.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.

When the White House (Secret Service Code: "Olympus") is captured by a terrorist mastermind and the President is kidnapped, disgraced former Presidential Secret Service Agent Mike Banning finds himself trapped within the building. As our national security team scrambles to respond, they are forced to rely on Banning's inside knowledge to help retake the White House, save the President and avert an even bigger disaster. Written by FilmDistrict

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3995772697/

Casting By 2012 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2012 as a HBO documentary series film that runs 89 minutes,its a informative although highly slanted  tribute to the late Marion Dougherty,who died in 2011, as much as it is to the subject of casting directors in general.Thus I took 1 and 1/2 stars off for the motivation of this"documentary".That said,there are many A+ stars who give insights into what the casting directors meant to their careers as well as directors and a few studio executives,however the film is NOT kind to the film industry as much as it is to television.Its worth a view for a few interesting star tales as well as a behind the camera peek. Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.
By the way,did you know Bette Midler has a bit part,from casting director Marion Dougherty, in"Hawaii"a film reviewed on this blog,and used the money she got from it to move FROM her native Hawaii,(yes she was raised there)to NYC and the rest was as they say history??

The surprising, never-before-told tale of the indispensable yet unsung Casting Director - Iconoclasts whose keen eye, exquisite taste and gut instincts redefined Hollywood.

http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi2278859801/

Oblivion 2013 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Perhaps the strangest sci-fi movie I have ever seen.I need to re-watch the Matrix saga before I can be sure,but for now,this is it.The cast is very professional and the FX fine,but its the story thats the thing.And just what is that story??Ah,thats why its a must see.It has elements of many classic films and is not afraid to use them to confuse and dare I say,abuse you,the viewer.In the end however it was a ride and the only reason I took 1 star off was it was a slow starter and I still don't fully "get it"but hey,thats what sci-fi is all about.Lets just call it,the Road Warrior becomes the Terminator within a Star Trek morality play or not,but thats for you to figure out.Released in 2013 it runs 124 minutes.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

One of the few remaining drone repairmen assigned to Earth, its surface devastated after decades of war with the alien Scavs, discovers a crashed spacecraft with contents that bring into question everything he believed about the war, and may even put the fate of mankind in his hands. Written by Black Dahlia

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi498116121/

Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Finally I get it.After many discussions about new things that have been reworked to appeal to a new generation and still keeping a tie to the original,I can except this second entry into the Star Trek film family even more than the first,which I did review here but was unhappy with the destruction of the planet Vulcan.Thats what reboots do.Many have told me that they hated the new"Battlestar Galattica",reviewed on this blog,for such reason,while I enjoyed it much more than the original.Many say the same about these new Star Trek films.However this 2013 release than runs 132 minutes brought back some favorite old TV series chestnuts along with film references and mixed them up in new and exciting,at least for me,ways.I took 1 star off for a rather lame ending but hey,even the old Trek films were sometimes guilty of that.I wont go into the cast and all the old references but to mention that  Karl Urban     as Bones does really look like what you might think the late Deforest Kelly might have looked like and the favorite new angle on the little know prior marriage of Kirk,first noted in The Wrath of Kahn",reviewed on this blog,is teased at by  Alice Eve as Carol Marcus,that future wife.All in all,I check out another if it comes. Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.

When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew. Written by Paramount Pictures

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1137026585/

Pitch Perfect 2012 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

After watching this I must re visit the old classic"Fame".At first I thought I was watching"Glee"meets"Twilght"as the go to college together.After 15 minutes or so I began to "feel"the characters and,well,its NO classic,it was watchable and so although I am clearly NOT the demographic the film is shooting for,the "hook"of singing"accoppia"was enough to make me want to see what happens and I was impressed at the references to"The Breakfast Club",a film also reviewed on this blog.All that said,this 2012 release that runs 112 minutes still is not great nor really original in its storyline.It just comes at it from a different angle,thus the 1 1/2 stars off.Still there ai FA worse out there for a harmless night of musical movie viewing.Thus I recommend it as a diversion when you want some some fluff in your life.B+ level cast but well acted none the less.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.

The Barden Bellas are a collegiate, all-girls a cappella singing group thriving on female pop songs and their perfect looks. After a disastrous failing at last year's finals, they are forced to regroup. Among the new recruits is freshman Beca, an independent, aspiring DJ with no interest in the college life. But after she meets Jesse, from the rival all-male a cappella group, Beca has a new outlook and takes it upon herself to help the Bellas find their new look and sound and get back into the competition. Written by napierslogs

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1930733337/

TV Series - Rizzoli & Isles 2010 - ongoing - 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

My daughter in-law clued me in to the series now in its 5th season on TNT and she was right-on target.At first you'd think its a female answer to all the testosterone  cop shows on TV and in some ways you'd be right,buts its far more.First,its a female Boston homicide detective played by  Angie Harmon as Detective Jane Rizzoli, who is the friend of a Doctor from the coroners office, Sasha Alexander     as Dr. Maura Isles,and they are indeed buddies from very different back grounds,but the cast is rounded out by some fine character actors and a continuing story that is both feminine yet also interesting for us guys as well without being a sexy ga,ga show.The series is based on a series of  "Rizzoli and Isles" books by Tess Gerritson." and although I have not read any,I really enjoy this "different"cop/buddy show and strongly recommend it. Trailer URL follows the picture.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2105188889/

TV Series - Hell on Wheels 2011/13 3+seasons - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Now entering the 3rd season on AMC cable channel,I must admit I'm getting a little board,but not enough to stop watching yet,thus only 1 star off.The first season really rocked and the second rolled however after 4 episodes this third season I'm a little antsy.The reason I first watched was the story of the west after the civil war and a old tricky star was cast, Colm Meaney     as Thomas 'Doc' Durant.However the main 2 stars interesting relationship was what keep me,those being  Anson Mount as Cullen Bohannan  and  Common as Elam Ferguson.There are many,many others in a great ensemble  cast as well. So if you like westerns,railroads,and a violent retelling of such things,check it out.Trailer  URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.

 Cullen Bohannan, a former soldier and slaveholder, follows the track of a band of Union soldiers, the killers of his wife. This brings him to the middle of one of the biggest projects in US history, the building of the transcontinental railroad. After the war years in the 1860s, this undertaking connected the prospering east with the still wild west. Written by cc ardbeg

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi577806617/

Ice Age - Continental Drift 2012 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Worthy addition to the franchise that keeps on giving over and over again despite the formula starting with the acorn chasing squirrel and the disasters that always follow,abet lots of fun to boot. Released in 2012 and running only 88 minutes,I took 1 star off for maybe being a bit intense for real young ones,but otherwise,loved the homages for adults to many films,like"The  last of the Mohicans,"a film reviewed here,with that classic line,"stay alive,I will find you" and the Ewoks from star war fame as well as the pirates of the Caribbean  and so on.So if animation is your thing and need a cartoon that won't bore YOU for the kids,check it out. Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

Manny, Diego, and Sid embark upon another adventure after their continent is set adrift. Using an iceberg as a ship, they encounter sea creatures and battle pirates as they explore a new world.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi991012633/

Lee Daniels' The Butler 2013 - 5 stars out of 5 stars

This 2013 release that runs 132 minutes is everything that last years"Lincoln",a film also reviewed on this blog,promised but only partially delivered. Sadly so much of this story I vividly remember and enjoyed the many fine actors who help bring those characters back to life but make NO MISTAKE,this is  Oprah Winfrey's film as she portrays  Gloria Gaines,the wife of the title character Cecil Gaines,the Butler,for Lee Daniels is the films director, also well played by Forest Whitaker,who might also get a nomination. The events that are portrayed are a reminder,however painful,of the not so glorious past of this great nation and why as the Jewish say,we must never forget.While no holocaust,it was violently shameful.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.


As Cecil Gaines serves eight presidents during his tenure as a butler at the White House, the civil rights movement, Vietnam, and other major events affect this man's life, family, and American society.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi707045657/

Elysium 2013 - 2 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

The dictionary defines "Elysium"as,
 1. Greek Mythology The Elysian Fields.
2. A place or condition of ideal happiness.
     This movie however is a fantasy in the traditions of"Lost Horizon (1937)"and in a sense then, the culmination into "Atlas Shrugged - Part 1 and 11 - The Strike - (2011 + 2012)"all films reviewed on this blog.Sadly thats why I can only give it my weakest recommendation at 2 1/2 stars,50-50.Released in 2013 it runs 109 minutes.The FX is fine,acting,well average and the story weak at best,Based on the old chestnut as I explained above.There were a few clichés such as the role played by  Jodie Foster as Delacourt is virtually the same as  Jack Nicholson played as Col. Nathan R. Jessup in "A  few good men",a film also reviewed on this blog.So see it out of curiosity BUT its nothing really new or shocking if you seen films like the ones described above.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.

Set in the year 2154, where the very wealthy live on a man-made space station while the rest of the population resides on a ruined Earth, a man takes on a mission that could bring equality to the polarized worlds.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi4196837657/

TV Series - How to Make it in America - 2 seasons- 2010/11 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Since I'm from Brooklyn originally I must admit I loved the realistic scenes of the city I knew which is far more that Manhattan.While the story is very "today"much is as I remembered from back in the day.The clash of cultures and aspirations are very NYC-ish. However its not the NY others had seen so it has  a very regional approach and maybe thats why it only lasted 2 seasons.Still I did enjoy it and highly recommend it.The theme music is great,acting good enough and as I said,the story lines are very NY.I only took 1 star off as I have trouble with the the"fashion"end of it by that was more than made up for with"rasta monster"You have to see it,ha,ha.Opening credits URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.

"How to Make It in America" follows two enterprising Brooklyn twenty somethings as they hustle their way through New York City, determined to achieve the American Dream. Trying to make a name for themselves in New York's competitive fashion scene, Ben Epstein (Greenberg) and his friend and business partner Cam Calderon (Rasuk) use their street knowledge and connections to bring their ambitions to fruition. With the help of Cam's cousin Rene (Guzman), who is trying to market his own high-energy drink, and their well-connected friend Domingo ("Kid Cudi"), the entrepreneurs set out to make it big, encountering obstacles along the way that will require all their ingenuity to overcome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sN49nNdE58

Planes 2013 - 3 1/2 stars out of 4 stars

Standard acceptable Disney fair.Released in 2013 and running 91 minutes,this film was released in a 3D version and I saw it that way in the theater.The 3D was average as was the story and animation which was in the case of a Disney film, good enough.Thus a fair 3 1/2 stars  rating by me.I'm a little bias so the best scenes for me involved a aircraft carrier, "Dwight "Yorkie" D. Flysenhower",cool enough for a Navy dad such as myself.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below. Decent.

Dusty Crophopper is a little cropduster plane with a fear of heights and a crazy dream of being a racer. While his friends need convincing, Dusty gets the training he needs from Skipper, a veteran fighter, and qualifies for the Wings Across the World race. In the event, Dusty finds competitors who soon learn that there is something special about this underdog as he is tested to his physical and emotional limits. In doing so, Dusty soon finds enemies, and more importantly friends, who are inspired by his dream. In the face of all obstacles, the winner of this air race will be anyone's guess. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1501275673/

Desperately Seeking Susan 1985 - 2 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 1985 and running 104 minutes,I can only give this film a so-so 2 1/2 stars .The acting was good but it was terribly dated and the story was too far fetched for even the great Rosanna Arquette  and Madonna to make believable.However for those who want a "80's"film and are curious how Madonna looked in her heyday,well its worth one viewing,but only once.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below. 

Bored Roberta spots a regular personal ad in the paper titled 'Desperately Seeking Susan'. She heads off to New York, following one of the ads, and finds Susan. When Susan sells her jacket, Roberta - trying to emulate her mystery ad writer - buys the jacket and wears it. Little does she know someon is looking for the jacket - and its owner... Written by Colin Tinto <cst@imdb.com>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGDLAba7XV0

Ruthless People 1986 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Another classic comedy from the Zuckers and Abrahams,you know "Airplane",reviewed on this blog,and others.This film was released in 1986 and ran only 93 minutes.I took 1 star off for being very dated as well as a far out story.The reason to see it,the same far out story and great acting in a cast headed by Bette Midler and Danny DeVito and many many more fine actors.Also one of the great cinema lines"I've been kidnapped by Kmart".
This is one of  my top 10 comedies I think,if not,it should be,ha,ha.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.Just thinking of Beth and Danny married makes me laugh.

 Sam Stone is a clothing manufacturer, who married his wife Barbara, for the money that she was supposed to inherit from her dying father, but her father didn't die for another fifteen years. He is now planning to kill her and he tells his girlfriend Carol what he is going to do. He then on his way home to do just that but when he gets there, she's not there. He then receives a call from someone claiming to have kidnapped Barbara and threatening to kill her if he informs the police, which he does hoping that they do. What Stone doesn't know is that the kidnappers, Ken and Sandy are a couple whose idea for a garment he stole and made fortune off, are not that lethal, as a matter of fact Barbara's more lethal. And what Stone doesn't know is that Carol, has another boyfriend and they plan to blackmail Sam, by videotaping him disposing of Barbara's body. When her boyfriend, Earl goes there to do that, the person who goes there was not Sam but a guy with a hooker, and the guy instructs the ... Written by <rcs0411@yahoo.com>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVnQlphhuqQ