Twelve Monkeys (1995) - 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

There is a new TV series based on this 1995 film that runs a long 129 minutes,thats why I viewed it.Big mistake.Great cast and very poor story.The series we shall get to at a later date perhaps but THAT is FAR superior than this confusing movies story so I’ll leave it at that. Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

An unknown and lethal virus has wiped out five billion people in 1996. Only 1% of the population has survived by the year 2035, and is forced to live underground. A convict (James Cole) reluctantly volunteers to be sent back in time to 1996 to gather information about the origin of the epidemic (who he's told was spread by a mysterious "Army of the Twelve Monkeys") and locate the virus before it mutates so that scientists can study it. Unfortunately Cole is mistakenly sent to 1990, six years earlier than expected, and is arrested and locked up in a mental institution, where he meets Dr. Kathryn Railly, a psychiatrist, and Jeffrey Goines, the insane son of a famous scientist and virus expert. Written by Giancarlo Cairella <vertigo@imdb.com>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15s4Y9ffW_o

Jack Ryan - Shadow Recruit - 2014 3 stars out of 5 stars

Chris Pine is the 4th actor to play Jack Ryan and is no better or worse than the rest.This release that 105 minutes,is not up to the earlier films in plot.That said,a good cast is worth one view for fans of this series,nothing more.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

A new version of the saga of CIA analyst, Jack Ryan. It begins when Ryan was attending the London School of Economics; and 9/11 happened. He would then enlist in the Marines and would go to Afghanistan. The chopper he was on would get shot down and he would suffer severe injuries that would require intense rehab. While there, he grabs the attention of a man named Harper, who works for the CIA and would like him to finish his studies and get a job on Wall Street so he can find out of any terrorist plot through their finances. A few years later, Ryan finds anomalies in the accounts of a Russian named Cherevin. Jack thinks he should go to Russia to find out what's going on. Jack was told not to tell anyone who he is and that includes his girl friend Cathy. But she catches Jack in some lies which makes her doubt him. Jack goes to Russia and Cherevin assigns him someone to take care of him. But when they're alone the man tries to kill Jack. So Jack kills him. Obvious Cherevin is hiding ... Written by rcs0411@yahoo.com

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3398346777?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

The Grand Budapest Hotel 2014 - 3 stars out of 5 stars

Although this 2014 release had a great cast and was one of the most beautifully filmed movies i’ve seen,the story was quite silly.That said,its worth at least one view.Its also a short 100  minutes.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL recounts the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting and the battle for an enormous family fortune -- all against the back-drop of a suddenly and dramatically changing Continent. Written by Fox Searchlight Pictures

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1157933593?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

Birdman 2014 - 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

This 2014 release thats a bit long at 119 minutes is NOT for someone like me.That is,someone who thinks those “that have”have the same issues as you and me,relative”have not’s”are worthy of our sympathy.For me NO THEY ARE NOT !!! So despite the hype,I was NOT impressed.Trailer follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

Riggan Thomas, once known quite well to movie theater goers as an iconic super hero called "The Birdman" had recently turned down a fourth installment of the franchise. Now washed up, he attempts to reinvent himself as a director by staging a new adaptation of a Raymond Carver short story called "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love". The events leading up to the Saturday night premiere prove to be one disaster after another as the original lead actor is injured while on set and Riggan scrambles to find a replacement, but the replacement proves to be exactly who he needs - a method actor who takes the job way too seriously. But Riggan has a hard time juggling between the set, his replacement actor, his equally washed up daughter, and a host of other disasters that prevent a proper staging of the play. Meanwhile, a New York Times critic who Riggan has to woo threatens to shut down production of the play before it even starts with a scathing review of the opening night performance... Written by halo1k

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1378069529?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

American Sniper 2014 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Another Clint Eastwood directed film released in 2014 and running a bit long at 132 minutes.
Its hard to think about films like this so I usually don’t but the hype about  Bradley Cooper portraying Chris Kyle,well deserved,was what got me to watch it.That said,you have to see it for yourself to judge the validity of such a film on a moral level.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle's pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and turns him into a legend. Back home to his wife and kids after four tours of duty, however, Chris finds that it is the war he can't leave behind.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3484134937?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

The Theory of everything 2014 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Long at 123 minutes,this 2014 release is a docudrama about the legendary Stephen Hawking,portrayed excellently by Eddie Redmayne as well as Felicity Jones doing a wonderful Jane Hawking.Those however NOT into science might find it ,well,boring.I didn’t.Trailer URL follows the picture as well as a IMDB summary below.Enjoy it for it is going to win a lot of awards.

A look at the relationship between the famous physicist Stephen Hawking and his wife.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3801067289?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

The Imitation Game (2014) - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2014 minutes and running 114 minutes,this is one of the years top film releases.I liked it though many might not enjoy the very British period piece historical war setting.Still Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing and Keira Knightley     as Joan Clarke alone are worth the view.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.


Based on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, the film portrays the nail-biting race against time by Turing and his brilliant team of code-breakers at Britain's top-secret Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, during the darkest days of World War II. Written by Studio Canal

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3398414105?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

Atlas Shrugged: Who Is John Galt? (2014) - 2 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

This 99 minutes 2014 release is the third installment,the first 2 reviewed on this blog,of Ayn Rand’s classic 1957 ’s novel film adaptation that is too Philosophical for todays film goers.Still for political science majors worth a look in order with the other 2.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

Approaching collapse, the nation's economy is quickly eroding. As crime and fear take over the countryside, the government continues to exert its brutal force against the nation's most productive who are mysteriously vanishing - leaving behind a wake of despair. One man has the answer. One woman stands in his way. Some will stop at nothing to control him. Others will stop at nothing to save him. He swore by his life. They swore to find him. Who is John Galt? Written by Official site

http://www.imdb.com/video/withoutabox/vi3823938585?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

Divergent - 2014 - 2 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Maybe its me because the acting was good but the story seemed like a different spin on the hunger games.Its a bit long at 139 minutes if you can’t get into the story.But I’m not a hater so perhaps one view for you?IMDB summary below and a trailer URL after the picture.

Set in a futuristic dystopia where society is divided into five factions that each represent a different virtue, teenagers have to decide if they want to stay in their faction or switch to another - for the rest of their lives. Tris Prior makes a choice that surprises everyone. Then Tris and her fellow faction-members have to live through a highly competitive initiation process to live out the choice they have made. They must undergo extreme physical and intense psychological tests, that transform them all. But Tris has a secret that she is Divergent, which means she doesn't fit into any one group. If anyone knew, it would mean a certain death. As she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly peaceful society, this secret might help her save the people she loves... or it might destroy her. Written by anonymous

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2844044057?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_11

TV Series - Ascension (2014) ( mini series) - 4 stars out of 5 stars

If knowing that the actress Tricia Helfer, the Cylon from Battlestar Galactic,is in this isn’t enough to have you take a peep,I don’t know what to say.There is a few good storylines as well as a twist on telekinesis but the main storyline is a sort,wait for this,secret experiment like the old bio spheres with a Capricorn One  twist.Only much more sinister.I sort of thought of it as a big “pilot” again sort of the way Battlestar Galactic was done. So do check it out and there is a trailer after the picture as well as a very short IMDB summary below.

A young woman's murder causes the subjects of a century-long mission to populate a new world to question the true nature of the project as they approach the point of no return.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJqQ4OdPcAo

Independence Daysaster 2013 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

OK this 90 minute TV movie by the sci-fi channel via way of Canada is no classic but it damn good popcorn fun.I liked it for its story, its no worse than the classic its named for.Watch but don’t expect to learn anything.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

When Earth is attacked by a hostile alien force, a small town firefighter and a rogue SETI scientist team up to activate the only technology capable of defeating the invaders.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi462335257?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

TV Series - Lilyhammer (2012– ?) Netflix - 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

In my humble option this is the BEST Netflix original series.Its only draw back is Steven Van Zandts character speaks English while almost everyone else speaks Norwegian.Reading subtitles is a pain but a MUST in this case so thats why I took 1/2 star off.If you liked the Sapranos or mobster movies and some hardy laughs in the midst of that violence than this show is for you as it was for me.I can’t wait for season 4.IMDB summary below and a trailer URL follows the picture.


Frank Tagliano (Steven Van Zandt), is a former New York mobster, who after testifying in a trial in the United States, joins the witness protection program. Intrigued by the place after watching the Winter Olympics in 1994, he is relocated to Lillehammer in Norway. The transition from being a feared and respected gangster in New York, to becoming an unemployed immigrant in Norway, is not simple. Frank soon discovers that in order to succeed in this rural Norwegian society, he must resort to his old ways. Written by Anonymous

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1824827417?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

Team America - World Police (2004) - 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Leave it to South Parks Trey Parker to do a fabulous send up on the war on terror and hollywood using “puppets”now think about THAT !!Enough said about that 98 minute gem.FOR ADULTS ONLY !!!
Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.


The North American anti-terrorist force Team America attacks a group of terrorist in Paris. Later, the leader of the organization, Spottswoode, invites the famous Broadway actor Gary Johnston to join his world police and work undercover in Cairo in a terrorist organization and disclose their plan of destroying the world. The Team America destroy the cell of terrorists, but then the Panama Canal is attacked by the criminals as a payback. Gary feels responsible for the death of many innocents and leaves the counter-terrorism organization. When the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Il, joins a group of pacifist actors and actresses with the intention of using weapons of massive destruction, the Team America tries to avoid the destruction of the world. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1132986649?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

Stonehenge Apocalypse 2010 - 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Look to Canada to make cutting edge sci-fi again.Magnetic wave length type story lines to me are the future and this is this first movie I’ve seen to use it.For that I recommend it strongly. Beyond that it has the faults of many TV movies,but give those a pass for the idea.Thanks be to the sci-fi channel !!!!
IMDB summary below and a trailer URL follows the picture.Oh it doesn’t hurt to have sci-fi stalwarts Torri Higginson and Peter Wingfield ether.Running time but 90 minutes.


When a group of archaeologists dig up a human skeleton near the historical monument of STONEHENGE, an ancient piece of machinery hidden beneath the bedrock is discovered. Not knowing what it could be the workers accidentally trigger the mechanism and start a chain of events that may very well end the world as we know it. Written by Anonymous

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jii-lVkUfDg