The Hangover Part 111 - 2013 - 2 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

While this third installment and hopefully last of the "Hangover"films adds some new big names to the cast as well as the regulars,this 2013 release that runs 100 minutes is the weakest of the bunch including the weak return to Vegas.See it only if a die hard hangover fan.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

In the aftermath of the death of Alan's father, the wolfpack decide to take Alan to get treated for his mental issues. But things start to go wrong on the way to the hospital as the wolfpack is assaulted and Doug is kidnapped. Now they must find Mr. Chow again in order to surrender him to the gangster who kidnapped Doug in order to save him. Written by HeWhoShallNotBeNamed

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1258726937/

The Lego Movie - 2014 - 3 stars out of 5 stars

Maybe because I didn't play with Lego's as a kid nor am I impressed by stars whose voice is all you"see"of them in a animation film such as this 2014 release that runs 100 minutes,that causes me to only give a tepid recommendation to this film.You'll have to judge for yourself.Worth one view.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

The LEGO Movie is a 3D animated film which follows lead character, Emmet a completely ordinary LEGO mini-figure who is identified as the most "extraordinary person" and the key to saving the Lego universe. Emmet and his friends go on an epic journey to stop the evil tyrant, Lord Business. Written by DeAlan Wilson www.ComedyE.com

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2178131993/

The Hangover Part 11 2011 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

This 2011 release that runs 102 minutes,suffers from all the movies sequel problems,which is,making the newer film have new touches in the sequel series.Its funny enough but not as much as the first one and well,I'll take Vegas over Bangkok any day.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.For fans of the first film ONLY.

Stu is getting married. Along with Doug, Phil, and his soon-to-be brother-in-law Teddy, he regretfully invites Alan to Thailand for the wedding. After a quiet night on the beach with a beer and toasting marshmallows by the camp fire, Stu, Alan and Phil wake up in a seedy apartment in Bangkok. Doug is back at the resort, but Teddy is missing, there's a monkey with a severed finger, Alan's head is shaved, Stu has a tattoo on his face, and they can't remember any of it. The wolf-pack retrace their steps through strip clubs, tattoo parlors and cocaine-dealing monkeys on the streets of Bangkok as they try and find Teddy before the wedding. Written by napierslogs.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2196348185/

TV Series - House of Cards 2013 - 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Netfliks hit a grand slam with this original programming TV series.The only reason to take 1/2 star off is because its a political drama and well,many might find it boring or unintelligible.However if you follow politics then this is your catnip.Its based on a old BBC Tv series i have yet to see and has a odd stage gimmick from good old Shakespears "King Richard the third"you'll pick up on it almost immediately or if you aren't familiar with that play,you'll see it as a rather unique scene enhancement like the clock in the old and yet soon to return series"24".While Kevin Spacey created a wonderfully evil new villain,the rest of the cast is fine as well.So do watch and get a insight to how the government works WHEN they work as they don't much these days.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.

A Congressman works with his equally conniving wife to exact revenge on the people who betrayed him.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3093276697/

The Hangover 2008 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

This 2009 release that runs 100 minutes,might offend you and to some degree it did me,but its like a car wreck,you can't turn away.I will review the 2 sequels in the coming days as i'm a sucker for bad taste somedays and this film fits quite nicely.The cast works well with the main 3 being Bradley Cooper,Ed Helms and real weirdo Zach Galifianakis. So see at your own risk if you like REALLY over the top comedy. Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

Three buddies wake up from a bachelor party in Las Vegas, with no memory of the previous night and the bachelor missing. They make their way around the city in order to find their friend before his wedding.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2105934361/

Peggy Sue Got Married 1986 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

This 1986 release that runs 103 minutes,still stands up after all these years and shows a look back at the earlier careers of some hollywoods icons.Sure there is no science but the storyline of refections of your past and some good oldies music and its catnip for us old fogies.So for my generation,check it out and for you youngsters,well maybe wait till you get older,ha,ha.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

Peggy Sue faints at a high school reunion. When she wakes up, she finds herself in her own past, just before she finished school.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi4187685145/

The Monuments Men 2014 - 3 stars out of 5 stars

Humm a A+ cast and a B- story might be one way to describe this WW11 previously unknown for the most part,story.It was worth a view for historical WW11 buffs but still not enough in the end.Released in 2014 and running 118 minutes its worth one view for everyone else who like star power.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

An unlikely World War II platoon are tasked to rescue art masterpieces from Nazi thieves and return them to their owners.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1176348697/

Dallas Buyers Club 2013 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Matthew McConaughey  finally showed me something acting wise in this film.Might be his best performance to date.Its a tough film to watch and the subject matter can be distasteful at times and decidedly NOT for kids.However if you stick with  it you will be moved.Released in 2013 and and running 117 minutes,the rest of the cast fits well also.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below. For VERY mature audiences only.

In 1985 Dallas, electrician and hustler Ron Woodroof works around the system to help AIDS patients get the medication they need after he is himself diagnosed with the disease.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3322325273/

Zathura A Space Adventure 2005 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Not big fan of kids films per say BUT this 2005 release than runs 113 minutes held my attention.Maybe its because I had no brothers as the sci-fi in this picture is very week.However its family fare and the acting is first rate by a B level cast.I recommend over silly animation fare.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

Two young brothers are drawn into an intragalactic adventure when their house is magically hurtled through space because of the board game they are playing.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1608712473/

After Earth 2013 - 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

The only reason I am reviewing this film is because it stars Will Smith but it still stinks.Released in 2013 and running 100 minutes,it is nether satisfying for sci-fi OR Smith fans.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.You have been warned.

A crash landing leaves Kitai Raige and his father Cypher stranded on Earth, a millennium after events forced humanity's escape. With Cypher injured, Kitai must embark on a perilous journey to signal for help.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi86550041/

Broken City 2013 - 2 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

This 2013 release that runs 109 minutes,is broken of sorts in its own way.The story is hard to follow and the acting is uneven at times although the story was interesting enough to stay with it to the end.However I thing the only ones who will really enjoy it are fans of Mark Wahlberg and Russell Crowe.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

In a city rife with injustice, ex-cop Billy Taggart seeks redemption and revenge after being double-crossed and then framed by its most powerful figure: Mayor Nicholas Hostetler.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi4181960473/

Last Vegas 2013 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2013 and running 105 minutes this is a old fogies fin with a A+ cast.I won't try to explain the film for it is sort of silly,but its never nasty per say.Lets just say its a geriatric nicer and gentler version of this those stupid"Hangover"films.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.I loved it.

Three sixty-something friends take a break from their day-to-day lives to throw a bachelor party in Las Vegas for their last remaining single pal.

www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi234858777/

Nebraska 2013 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

This 2013 release that runs 115 minutes,might not win best picture or actor for star Bruce Dern,but the film although slow moving,is a slice of real mid american life,with all the pain and small triumphs. I recommend for real film fans as it is also shot in B&W for a really depressing background effect. Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

An aging, booze-addled father makes the trip from Montana to Nebraska with his estranged son in order to claim a million-dollar Mega Sweepstakes Marketing prize.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2790959385/

Philomena 2013 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2013 and  running 98 minutes,its hard to review this film because there are many levels to the story,not the least of which is the catholic church and teen pregnancy and homosexuality.So,i'll just say I was moved.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below. It's also very british with fine acting from Judi Dench and others.

A world-weary political journalist picks up the story of a woman's search for her son, who was taken away from her decades ago after she became pregnant and was forced to live in a convent.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2290198553/

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013) - 2 1/2 out of 5 stars

OK,this 2013 release that runs 92 will offend everyone.If your a fan of MTV's Jackass,i'm not,you'll love it.I like the punching aspect however so a very tepid recommendation for a view,maybe…..Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

86-year-old Irving Zisman takes a trip from Nebraska to North Carolina to take his 8 year-old grandson, Billy, back to his real father.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1086630169/

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004) - 3 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2004 and running 88 minutes,this is the first of a series of films about a modern day "Cheech and Chong"stoner buddies.While I don't condone drug use,i'm not quite sure on this films stand ether,but it has a few bright spots.The cast works with a few cameos that are interesting,and who among us didn't have "the crave".So watch it once for a throw back to the humor of the 60's set in todays world.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

An Asian-American office worker and his Indian-American stoner friend embark on a quest to satisfy their desire for White Castle burgers.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1873543449/

The Producers 2005 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2005 and running 134 minutes,this is faithful to the 1968 film release,also reviewed on this blog,with a smash Broadway play in-between.However be warned,no one BUT Mel Brooks could get away with this film today in the "politically correct"world we now live in.Still,how could you not enjoy this satirical romp??Small cameo follows the credits by the great Books himself,who only adapted this version. Trailer follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

After putting together another Broadway flop, down-on-his-luck producer Max Bialystock teams up with timid accountant Leo Bloom in a get-rich-quick scheme to put on the world's worst show.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3220308249/

Blue Jasmine 2013 - 3 stars out of 5 stars

The latest 2013 release from neurotic Woody Allen that runs 98 minutes is only interesting from the standpoint that  Cate Blanchett  who plays the title character Jasmine,plays her like a female composite of all the male characters Woody has played through the years,although he only wrote and directed this film and doesn't appear in it. Zo recommended for die hard Allen fans only.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

Jasmine French used to be on the top of the heap as a New York socialite, but now is returning to her estranged sister in San Francisco utterly ruined. As Jasmine struggles with her haunting memories of a privileged past bearing dark realities she ignored, she tries to recover in her present. Unfortunately, it all proves a losing battle as Jasmine's narcissistic hangups and their consequences begin to overwhelm her. In doing so, her old pretensions and new deceits begin to foul up everyone's lives, especially her own. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi4282230809/

Saving Mr.Banks 2013 - 3 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2013 and running 125 minutes,a great cast headed by Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks make this film watchable although a simultaneous  storyline is always confusing and this more than most.Disney truth or a good tale,you decide.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

 Author P.L. Travers reflects on her childhood after reluctantly meeting with Walt Disney, who seeks to adapt her Mary Poppins books for the big screen.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2341120281/

The Iron Giant 1999 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 1999 and running a short 86 minutes,this is a surprisingly good animated non Disney film.A boy a giant robot and the paranoid federal agent,good stuff !!!
Good soundtrack as well.Trailer follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.One of the few "kids"films a truly enjoyed.

This is the story of a nine-year-old boy named Hogarth Hughes who makes friends with an innocent alien giant robot that came from outer space. Meanwhile, a paranoid U.S. Government agent named Kent Mansley arrives in town, determined to destroy the giant at all costs. It's up to Hogarth to protect him by keeping him at Dean McCoppin's place in the junkyard. Written by Anthony Pereyra <hypersonic91@yahoo.com>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgjmFBX34zc

The Contender 2000 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

This 2000 release that runs 126 is kinda long and talky as well as not a very interesting female lead portrayed by a not so sexy Joan Allen BUT if you can get over that,its a very good look at "partisan"politics in a whole different light as it is set before 9/11.
I recommend for those who are not bored easily and like a good political infighting drama.
Some other very interesting casting moves as well.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

A political thriller about Laine Hanson, a senator who is nominated to become Vice President following the death of the previous office holder. During the confirmation process, Laine is the victim of a vicious attack on her personal life in which stories of sexual deviancy are spread. She is torn as to whether she should fight back, or stick to her high principles and refuse to comment on the allegations. Written by Ted Johnson

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3096838425/