Ex Macina 2015 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Let me state at the outset I thought of a TV show episode and 2 movies at the beginning but by the end,it was not like any of them at all.But unlike those teases for me,it was very slow paced.You must WANT to see it.If you do stick it out you will ,I think,be rewarded.So I won’t spoil it other than state if you fear”the singularity”going in,you will be convinced coming out.I will tell you the TV show episode was STO - Requiem for Methuselah,and the movies were Lucy, and Her.However it ends most differently.Trailer follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below. 

Caleb, a 26 year old programmer at the world's largest internet company, wins a competition to spend a week at a private mountain retreat belonging to Nathan, the reclusive CEO of the company. But when Caleb arrives at the remote location he finds that he will have to participate in a strange and fascinating experiment in which he must interact with the world's first true artificial intelligence, housed in the body of a beautiful robot girl. Written by DNA FILMS

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi744337689?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_2

Ted 2 - 2015 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

At 1 hour and 55 minutes I didn’t get board and thats a good thing.As sequels go it wasn’t bad and there were a few interesting cameos including someone you don’t see very often from DS9.That said,we could do less with drug jokes although the pipe one,ha,ha.
Still its no classic but compared to a lot of crap you could do worse,sorry spoiler,crap joke at end of film.
I do think Mark Wahlberg is short changed as a actor including his comedic abilities as displayed however childish, as is called for in this flick.So if you need a few yucks,check it out,nothing more that that.
Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.Enjoy

Months after John's divorce, Ted and Tami-Lynn's marriage seems on the same road. To patch things up, Ted and Tami-Lynn plan to have a child with John's help, but their failed efforts backfire disastrously. Namely, Ted is declared property by the government and he loses all his civil rights. Now, Ted must fight a seemingly hopeless legal battle with an inexperienced young lawyer to regain his rightful legal status. Unfortunately, between Ted's drunken idiocies and sinister forces interested in this situation to exploit him, Ted's quest has all the odds against him. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2165420057?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_2

London Has Fallen 2016 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

When we last saw Gerard Butler as Secret Service agent Mike Banning it was in Olympus Has Fallen (2013),reviewed on this blog,and he now returns with much the same supporting actors in this 1 hour 39 minute sequel that can’t live up to the first although it does TRY very hard.My big complaint is the terrorists.Name them as more than money grubbing arms dealers !! If your really into politics you’ll understand.Otherwise just enjoy the semi destruction of London as pure action fair.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.You could do a lot worse for the holiday.


After the British Prime Minister has passed away under mysterious circumstances, all leaders of the Western world must attend his funeral. But what starts out as the most protected event on earth, turns into a deadly plot to kill the world's most powerful leaders and unleash a terrifying vision of the future. The President of the United States, his formidable secret service head and a British MI-6 agent who trusts no one are the only people that have any hope of stopping it. Written by Anonymous

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1266857241?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

Dirty Grandpa (2016) - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

This years release that runs 1 hour 42 minutes is a little better that I thought.Credit Zac Efron as Jason Kelly and THE GREART Robert De Niro as Dick Kelly and a surprising Aubrey Plaza as Lenore for that as the story was really out there.So I recommend for De Niro fans and a off beat once in awhile weird comedy night.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

Right before his wedding, an uptight guy is tricked into driving his grandfather, a lecherous former Army Lieutenant-Colonel, to Florida for spring break.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1755362585?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_6

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 1989 and running but 90 minutes I dismissed this film as just silly.Since then I have watched it again as some teachers feel its a “chill”or “cool”introduction to history as its theme IS about a oral “history”exam, keeping that in mind I now feel there is merit in that idea,for that captive audience BUT not so much for the rest of us.However anything that can help our kids be less dumb i’m for but its still silly.A fair cast does make it bearable so check it out but don’t expect to much.IMDB summary is below and a trailer URL follows the picture.


Two seemingly dumb teens struggle to prepare a historical presentation with the help of a time machine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFy17auuK08

13 Hours The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016) - 3 stars out of 5 stars

There are a few questions about the truthfulness of what happened at Benghazi.I don’t think you’ll ever get the full story especially from this 2 hour 24 minute film.Thats ok,what you will get is a the most chaotic film since,well Blackhawk down,and thats fine with me.Some might question the casting a comedic TV actor like John Krasinski and  other relative unknowns but they all were fine.Because of the politics surrounding this real life story I can see trouble casting it with A listers or even getting it made at all.So that said,don’t look for new insights just action and a little sadness for the real drama in that part of the world and the folks who go there for us.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

As an American ambassador is killed during an attack at a U.S. compound in Libya, a security team struggles to make sense out of the chaos.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi481015065?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

The Godfather Part III 1990 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

This final movie was trashed but why??OK its not as good as the first 2 BUT the acting was GREAT,jelious haters aside,Sofia Coppola as Mary Corleone.That said its also long at 2 hours  42 minutes but I found it engrossing with a GREAT ending for empowered womanhood.The survivors are still there as well as a newer generation mixed in expertly.A MUST see if you enjoyed the first two.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

In the final instalment of the Godfather Trilogy, an aging Don Michael Corleone seeks to legitimize his crime family's interests and remove himself from the violent underworld but is kept back by the ambitions of the young. While he attempts to link the Corleone's finances with the Vatican, Michael must deal with the machinations of a hungrier gangster seeking to upset the existing Mafioso order and a young protoge's love affair with his daughter. Written by Keith Loh <loh@sfu.ca>

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1569521945?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

San Andreas 2015 - 2 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

At 1 hour and 45 minutes its too long.Although some of the FX is dirty enough,Banda Aceh,and the actors are fine,thanks Rock and Paul Giamatti,I’m just not buying it,PERIOD.Theres a trailer URL after the picture and a IMDB summary below.Oh and a SEQUEL is planned,REALLY !!!!

In San Andreas, California is experiencing a statewide earthquake that goes on record as easily the biggest earthquake in history. Dwayne Johnson plays Ray Gaines, a helicopter rescue pilot for the Los Angeles Fire Department, who is trying to find his daughter, Blake (Alexandra Daddario), who is in San Francisco amidst the chaos. Ray's estranged wife, Emma, is forced to turn to Ray for help, as he is her last resort. Together they journey to save their daughter. Written by The Twiz

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi395358233?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

The Godfather Part II 1974 - 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Back in the early days of this blog I reviewed this movies prequel,The Godfather, and stated I didn’t want to review all films in a saga but the poor state of todays films and the moral decay today demands a change.Yes these mobsters were bad people but they did live by a value system that we seem to not do today,of any kind,good or bad.That is why they were a hit when released and stand up well today.They are long films,this one 3 hours and 22 minutes,but for todays “binge watcher”you can handle them.My only problem with this film is the jumping back and forth in the storyline,small,but why I gave the first a slight edge.That said,it will hold your attention with the sweep of the story.A must see for all movie lovers everywhere.Oh the acting,really??
Just check out the cast,DeNero,Pacino,Duvall,Keaton and on,on,on.
Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.


The continuing saga of the Corleone crime family tells the story of a young Vito Corleone growing up in Sicily and in 1910s New York; and follows Michael Corleone in the 1950s as he attempts to expand the family business into Las Vegas, Hollywood and Cuba. Written by Keith Loh <loh@sfu.ca>

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi696162841?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_3

Jersey Boys 2014 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

This film by Director Clint Eastwood from 2014 is much better than I thought it would be and at 2hours 14 minutes its not to long.Shout out to smaller roles by Steve Schirripa as Vito and Christopher Walken as Gyp DeCarlo.None of the actors playing the 4 seasons stand out and they are not well known BUT the story here is key.While I was a fan growing up,I never new the back story.Maybe I am a little bias but only you will know if you check it out.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.


Jersey Boys is a musical biography of the Four Seasons-the rise, the tough times and personal clashes, and the ultimate triumph of a group of friends whose music became symbolic of a generation. Far from a mere tribute concert (though it does include numbers from the popular Four Seasons songbook), Jersey Boys gets to the heart of the relationships at the center of the group-with a special focus on frontman Frankie Valli, the small kid with the big falsetto. In addition to following the quartet's coming of age as performers, the core of the show is how an allegiance to a code of honor learned in the streets of their native New Jersey got them through a multitude of challenges: gambling debts, Mafia threats and family disasters. Jersey Boys is a glimpse at the people behind a sound that has managed to endure for over four decades in the hearts of the public. Written by Broadway.com

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3873746201?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_20

Terminator Genisys 2015 - 3 stars out of 5 stars

To be far I’m not a fan of alternate time line stories and its hard to see others playing parts in these reboots especially when they are not as good actors.At 2 hours and 6 minutes its just the right length and thank goodness for ARNOLD he his the man.That said if you haven’t seen the first Terminator its ok I guess to see this,BUT if you have and loved it as I did and then enjoyed the second,there is no way -SPOLIER ALERT- John Conner is a BAD GUY !!!! So much for time lines.So the trailer follows the URL and a IMDB summary is below.

When John Connor, leader of the human resistance, sends Sgt. Kyle Reese back to 1984 to protect Sarah Connor and safeguard the future, an unexpected turn of events creates a fractured timeline.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1249751321?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_26

Spectre 2015 - 3 stars out of 5 stars

At 2 hours 28 minutes its a bit long and one reason I like Bond films is the villains.In this regard I felt cheated a bit with the small screen time for the great Christoph Waltz as Blofeld,the head of a criminal organization called Spectre.The rest of the cast headed by Ralph Fiennes as M,yes a NEW M,you have to watch the movie to learn why,and Léa Seydoux as Madeleine,your Bond girl are fine.So this is for Bond fans only.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.Talk about timing,the oping scene is in Mexico City for the festival of the dead.

A cryptic message from Bond's past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3362042649?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

The Martian 2015 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Its disingenuous to call this “Cast a way”  ( a film I must revisit before I review it) in space.See the earth is in touch and he is not alone in that slim regard and well its a now film with all the renewed talk on Mars exploration and even a one way trip.Those folks should be required to view this film.That said,if you don’t like space you won’t like this film thus the 1 star off along with being kinda long at 2 hours 24 minutes.
Matt Damion is great as the stranded astronaut Mark Watney and the supporting cast is A list cast all the way headed by Jessica Chastain Chiwetel Ejiofor Kristen Wiig Jeff Daniels Sean Bean Kate Mara to name a few.
By the way director Ridley Scott can still bring it after all these years.So its more than you think and I liked it a lot.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi113423129?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

Bridge of Spies 2015 - 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

The only reason I took 1/2 star off this masterpiece was its obvious timing to todays Muslem threat  and I dislike the timing.That said,history does repeat and it is often bad.This film relates the communist threat to Islam’s radicle threat BUT is honest enough to show that communism was a danger as well as a phobia.
For me its the best film of the year and not long at 142 minutes.Why Tom Hanks as James B. Donovan and Director  Steven Spielberg were left out of the Oscar nominations is a CRIME after that trash of “The Revenant” that I reviewed yesterday.Go figure !!!!Now I know cold war films are NOT for everyone but the historic reminders of this story are of me,MUST SEE.So the trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.Duck and Cover !!!!!


During the Cold War, an American lawyer is recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy in court, and then help the CIA facilitate an exchange of the spy for the Soviet captured American U2 spy plane pilot, Francis Gary Powers.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi859680793?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

The Revenant 2015 - 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

I usually don’t bother reviewing a film that I didn’t like,but because of the Oscar buzz on this one I will.It might be the biggest disappointment I ever saw,not the worse film but considering all the hype,the biggest letdown.To be fair,I couldn’t watch for 153 minutes,only 40 or so which did include the”Bear”scene.However I couldn’t understand nor care about what I was seeing.I blame the director Alejandro González Iñárritu for this lack of explanation of a coherent storyline.Maybe it gets better BUT who could or would want to wait.To be fair to Leonardo DiCaprio as Hugh Glass,the main character and storyline,he was more a make up doll for FX than acting in that 40 minute time.Nothing about this mess is Oscar worthy BUT watch it win,HA,HA.
Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.UGH !!!

A frontiersman on a fur trading expedition in the 1820s fights for survival after being mauled by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3857035801?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

Rocky IV 1985 - 4 stars out of 5

If you see “Creed” a film reviewed here,you should see this classic for a reference. Rocky is a great story that continued with the character of Apollo Creed”again masterly played by Carl Weathers,dying at the hands Dolph Lundgren as Drago a Russian boxer.The cliches again roll and the actors rock.A must if you liked the first film and crave some backstory to “Creed”.My favorite line is Drago saying to Rocky before their fight,”I must break you”!!!The trailer follows the picture and a IMDB is below.Enjoy,and 91minutes you won’t miss the time.

After iron man Drago, a highly intimidating 6-foot-5, 261-pound Soviet athlete, kills Apollo Creed in an exhibition match, Rocky comes to the heart of Russia for 15 pile-driving boxing rounds of revenge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwJJkeOTT6Y

Creed 2015 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Up front lets say Sly IS Rocky and any sequel no matter the story line runs into him like a heavy punch.That said my main complaint is a lack of understanding of Michael B. Jordan’s character of Adonis Johnson,the bastard son of Rockys former late friend and boxing rival Apollo Creed.I needed more backstory.Still when we finally get around to the boxing it does “Rock”.Will there be another follow up,maybe.At 133 minutes it did drag a bit.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.Enjoy

The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson, the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi4048728089?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_6

Brooklyn 2015 - 3 stars out of 5 stars

OK how could I not like a film called Brooklyn.Let me count the way.Muddled immigrant love story.So so acting.Period peace,er ,that wasn’t too bad tho.Really the film wasn’t bad just not that good,rather boring at 111 minutes till the end.Spoiler alert,a trip back to the old county gives the film a nice twist ending that I never saw coming.It does have a older film feeling for nostalgia as well.So you could do both better and MUCH worse.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.Enjoy.

An Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a romance with a local. When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1420866329?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

The Big Short 2015 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Having worked on “the street”maybe I expected more or just didn’t “get”it.At 2 hors and ten minutes its not boring because you’er waiting for the payoff. Now the cast is great and yes the film does shed some light on the mortgage issues leading to 2008’s meltdown BUT I guess I wanted RETRIBUTION !!!.So enjoy the
AAA+  - star power and some cameos but as far as a Academy best picture?? So the trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB is below.By the way Brad Pitt was really a stretch as Ben Rickert but I bought it.

Four denizens in the world of high-finance predict the credit and housing bubble collapse of the mid-2000s, and decide to take on the big banks for their greed and lack of foresight

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1593618969?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

Mad Max Fury Road - 2015 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

The reason to watch this reboot of the action franchise is the Academy Award buzz mainly for the action photography and makeup.Its like watching cirque du soleil acrobats  on speed playing in the dirt.That is worth the watch + yes its true,they do make Charlize Theron as Imperator Furiosa,the foil for Max,look kinda ugly,kinda.Now as to Tom Hardy as Max Rockatansky (mad max),he’s no Mel Gibson so I’ll leave it at that.Tepid must see for Academy buffs,Max fans,so-so.At 120 minutes you won’t be bored.A trailer URL follows the pix and a IMDB summary below.

A woman rebels against a tyrannical ruler in postapocalyptic Australia in search for her home-land with the help of a group of female prisoners, a psychotic worshipper, and a drifter named Max.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3047862297?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

Rocky 1976 - 5 stars out of 5 stars

This 2 hour movie is on EVERYONE’s top 10 of all time list after they see it for sure.Besides the lead character,Rocky played by Sylvester Stallone in his greatest role ever,sorry Rambo,it has become a cultural iconic example of trumph in the face of adversity by perseverance and truth in ones own code of conduct.Besides Sly the cast is awesome so I won’t name them because they are still second to Sly.I can’t say more because I do love the film to much to be subjective but when ever I get down on the lack of good movies I rewatch classics like this.Oh and if you want a good minority role,well Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed,the world heavyweight champ gives you that as well.A satirical tribute to Ali no doubt.So the trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

Rocky Balboa, a small-time boxer, gets a supremely rare chance to fight the heavy-weight champion, Apollo Creed, in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075148/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Star Wars Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015) 3 1/2 stars out of 5

This box office smash and much anticipated release could not possibly live up to expectations,still with Harrison Ford still a major character as Han Solo it is worth seeing.Daisy Ridle as Rey,a new and exciting character, I was  engaged for the whole 135 minutes.While the rest of the characters were ok,I was not so thrilled with Adam Driver as Kylo Ren,a new Darth Vader sort.Still J.J. Abrams did a decent enough job even if many times it felt like a update of the classic episode 4,first of this wonderful series.I won’t give spoilers but it all did make sense after all and the sequel to come is also much anticipated.A trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below,enjoy.

Three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises. The First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a ragtag group of heroes can stop them, along with the help of the Resistance.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3343889177?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1