Cloud Atlas 2012 - 2 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2012 and running VERY long at 172 minutes I rely wanted to like this film but sadly,I didn't get it.However the cast and scope of the storyline might be worth  view by you.Far be it from me to say that because I didn't get it,you won't.A+ cast always is worth  a view,headed by Tom Hanks and Halle Berry.So be warned,you just might be wasting your time.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

An exploration of how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future, as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and an act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution.

Slow and long and I don't get it.Trailer URL below.

Gangster Squad 2013 - 3 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2013 and running 113 minutes,this film starts very slow as far as action goes but the cast is "A" level headed by favs of mine,Sean Penn,Josh Brolin,Sullivan Stapleton,Nick Nolte and many more fine actors who seemed to enjoy this tribute to the 40's "film nor" genre. That said,its no new spin on the old gangster vs honest cops story and so along with the slow start it for this sort of genre fans only dispute the fine"over the top"acting.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.

It's 1949 Los Angeles, and gangster Mickey Cohen has moved in, with the intention of controlling all criminal activity in the city. He has bought local judges and police, and no one is willing to cross him or testify against him. Everyone except Seargant John O'Mara, a former World War II soldier, whose goal is to settle with his family in a peaceful Los Angeles. Police Chief William Parker decides to form a special unit whose mission is to take down Cohen, and chooses O'Mara to lead the unit. O'Mara chooses 4 cops and asks another cop and vet, Jerry Wooters to join him but Wooters is not interested. But when he witnesses the murder of a young boy by Cohen's people, he joins them, and they decide to take apart Cohen's organization. Cohen wonders if a rival is going after him, but eventually he realizes it's the cops. Written by rcs0411@yahoo.com

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi504473369/

Looper 2012 - 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Usually I don't mention bad films here,but for the 4th or 5 th time I must because this 2012 film that runs 119 minutes is just that bad with a A list cast and a interesting premise but that is it and I won't  name the cast to avoid embarrassing them.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.AVOID !!!!

In 2074, when the mob wants to get rid of someone, the target is sent 30 years into the past, where a hired gun awaits. Someone like Joe, who one day learns the mob wants to 'close the loop' by transporting back Joe's future self.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1427416857/

Cleanskin 2012 - 3 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2012 and running 108 minutes,the main reason to see this film is  Sean Bean as Ewan as some sort of british secret agent and a plot that started good and well…….
Also I wasn't thrilled with the rest of he cast,but still it was a good "fix"for fans of Sean Bean.The trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

 A British secret service agent is faced with the task of pursuing and eliminating a British-born suicide bomber and his terrorist cell. 

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3212288281/

Forever Young 1992 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 1992 and running 102 minutes,it may be corny but it works as a rare family entertainment film.A+ cast and not that bad of a story line despite being somewhat unbelievable.Mel Gibson as Capt. Daniel McCormick reminds us of the talent he once was as does  Jamie Lee Curtis as Claire Cooper  and a young  Elijah Wood as Nat Cooper.In fact everyone fits well to help believe in a far our storyline.I liked it quite a bit.The trailer URL follows the picture nd a IMDB summary below.

A 1939 test pilot asks his best friend to use him as a guinea pig for a cryogenics experiment. Daniel McCormick wants to be frozen for a year so that he doesn't have to watch his love lying in a coma. The next thing Daniel knows is that he's been awoken in 1992. Written by Rob Hartill

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi145228057/

Trouble With the Curve 2012 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2012 and running 111 minutes,this film is better than you would think because of a unusual mix of actors and that makes the totally unbelievable plot,believable,to a point,and thats enough to recommend it.Start with Clint Eastwood as a aged baseball scout,mix in AmyAdams as his lawyer daughter,strain in  John Goodman as Clint's boss and top off with Justin Timberlake as a love interest and stir. Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

Gus is a baseball scout. The team he works for thinks he should retire. He asks them to let him do one more scouting job to prove himself. His friend, Pete, asks Gus's estranged daughter, Mickey, if she could go with him to make sure he's OK as his eyes are failing. The doctor tells Gus he should get his eyes treated but he insists on doing his scouting assignment, which takes him to North Carolina. Mickey decides to put her work on hold to go with him and she wants him to explain why he pushed her away. Whilst there he runs into Johnny, a scout from another team who was a promising player Gus once scouted. Johnny and Mickey take an interest in each other. Written by rcs0411@yahoo.com

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3809584921/

That's My Boy 2012 - 2 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2012 and running 116 minutes,you have your standard Sandler comedy.Vulgar,offensive and juvenile.Exactly what his fans have come to expect and want.Thus the 50/50 rating of 2 1/2 stars.He delivers what HIS fans want but I want more.
So for those who like his work,you'll enjoy it.Those who want some sophistication,pass on it.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.

While still in his teens, Donny (Adam Sandler) fathered a son, Todd (Andy Samberg), and raised him as a single parent up until Todd's 18th birthday. Now, after not seeing each other for years, Todd's world comes crashing down on the eve of his wedding when an uninvited Donny suddenly shows up. Trying desperately to reconnect with his son, Donny is now forced to deal with the repercussions of his bad parenting skills. Written by Official site

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2295244569/

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012) - 3 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2012 and running 101 minutes,I'm not really into this new genre of waiting for the end to come sort of film.However the film is watchable with a reasonable cast so if you like this sort of fatalistic humor than see it,if not,don't.The best I can say is that its well done.So the trailer follow the picture and a IMDB summary is below.By the way,there was a film called"Last night"that I reviewed on this blog,that is still I believe,the best of this genre.

As an asteroid nears Earth, a man finds himself alone after his wife leaves in a panic. He decides to take a road trip to reunite with his high school sweetheart. Accompanying him is a neighbor who inadvertently puts a wrench in his plan.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2149949721/

Prometheus 2012 - 2 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Greek mythology,prequel to "Alien"and the meaning to life,what could be better??Released in 2012 and running quite long at 124 minutes,sorry to say,I didn't really get what this film wanted to be,maybe you will.Thus the lowest possible 50-50, 2 1/2 star rating.Good director and cast but very visually dark film is another handicap for me.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.

This film is set in 2093 and takes place in the same universe as the 'Alien' movies. A group of explorers, including some archaeologists, are on an "undisclosed" mission. They arrive at a planet millions of miles away from Earth. The team spot what they believe to be signs of civilization. They go to investigate and find more than just signs, they find conclusive evidence. But some of them have an ulterior motive for being there, including the Weyland Corporation. They believe that this is where the human race actually came from. Things soon turn from excitement to survival once inside their discovery. Written by Michael Hallows Eve

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1964287769/

Oz the Great and Powerful 2013 - 3 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2013 and running long at 130 minutes,Disney studios has filmed a life action/animation "prequel"to the classic 1939 "Wizard of Oz ",reviewed on this blog,and I'm quite conflicted about THAT and the films storyline as well.The casting is just ok as is the acting but the FX is worthy and well,darn,Dorothy DID dream it all didn't she?? So how could there be a prequel without her character??Anyhow there is enough to hold some interest.Still see for yourself,its worth one view at least.Trailer follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

 Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz. At first he thinks he's hit the jackpot-fame and fortune are his for the taking. That all changes, however, when he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz), and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone's been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity-and even a bit of wizardry-Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well. Written by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi297314073/

The Gingerbread Man 1998 - 3 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 1998 and running 114 minutes,I kinda thought this film had 2 major flaws.First,Kenneth Branagh as lawyer Rick Magruder,didn't work for me,maybe Robert Downey Jr.,who played a associate of his,would have worked better.Second,I'm not a "sleazy"mystery fan. So  that all said,it wasn't THAT bad.So if thats all there is,watch it once for the "Grisham"factor.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.

Lawyer Rick Magruder has a one-night-stand affair with caterer Mallory Doss. He becomes hooked on her, and when he learns her nut-case father Dixon is threatening her, he puts the weight of his law firm behind Mallory, has Dixon arrested and subpoenas her ex-husband Pete to testify against Dixon in court. Dixon is sent to an asylum, but escapes from there and the lives of many people are in danger. Written by Anonymous

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi730661145/

Here Comes the Boom 2012 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2012 and running 105 minutes,I kinda enjoyed this film in a silly and unbelievable way.It's no "Rocky",a film reviewed on this blog,but it has a few moments.
 Kevin James     as HS teacher Scott Voss is kinda funny and Selma Hayek is strangely just right as a love interest.The film is also a advertisement for the UFC and even that works.Still its kinda juvenile ad silly but worth  few laughs for comedy fans.The trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

 A high school biology teacher looks to become a successful mixed-martial arts fighter in an effort to raise money to prevent extra-curricular activities from being axed at his cash-strapped school.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1058318105/

Dark Shadows 2012 - 2 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Based on a classic TV series from the 70's I expected a better film that this 2012 release that runs 113 minutes.Perhaps the fact that Tim Burton directed and Johnny Depp starred as the Vampire Barnabas Collins had something to do with it,I'm not a big fan of ether,or just the campy-ness of this version ?Whatever,view it only a curiosity.See the old series rather as I just might.Anyway,below is a IMDB summary and a trailer link follows the picture.

In the year 1752, Joshua and Naomi Collins, with young son Barnabas, set sail from Liverpool, England to start a new life in America. But even an ocean was not enough to escape the mysterious curse that has plagued their family. Two decades pass and Barnabas (Johnny Depp) has the world at his feet-or at least the town of Collinsport, Maine. The master of Collinwood Manor, Barnabas is rich, powerful and an inveterate playboy...until he makes the grave mistake of breaking the heart of Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green). A witch, in every sense of the word, Angelique dooms him to a fate worse than death: turning him into a vampire, and then burying him alive. Two centuries later, Barnabas is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972. He returns to Collinwood Manor to find that his once-grand estate has fallen into ruin. The dysfunctional remnants of the Collins family have fared little better, each harboring their own dark secrets. Matriarch Elizabeth ... Written by Warner Bros. Pictures

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi4178618137/