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

The Admiral (Myeong-ryang original title) 2014 4 stars out of 5 stars

At 126 minutes long I was still fascinated.Sadly I could not follow this subtitling  as well as some other other films but the action made up for that.If you liked “Red Cliff”reviewed on this blog and my new favorite film displacing”Godfather”also reviewed here,then trust me,its a worthy addition just a cut below.Joseon admiral Yi Sun-sin is a Patton-ish character and thats what I feel I missed out on with the subtitles.The Battle scenes are just a cut below Red Cliffs but stunning none the less.Must see for action fans with a historic bend.
Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.Enjoy.

The film mainly follows the famous 1597 Battle of Myeongryang during the Japanese invasion of Korea (1592-1598), where the iconic Joseon admiral Yi Sun-sin managed to destroy a total of 133 Japanese warships with only 13 ships remaining in his command. The battle, which took place in the Myeongryang Strait off the southwest coast of the Korean Peninsula, is considered one of the greatest victories of Yi. Written by Anonymous

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi131836953

Above and Beyond 2014 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

At 90 minutes this film crams the 1948 war of survival or as the world called it Jew /Palestine Arab“Civil War”into a cormorant timeline to set the stage for the story of Israelis birth of its own Air Force in a riveting tale as told in interviews with serving pilots as well as films from that time.I learned a LOT as well as I was again fascinated by this thrilling story of struggle and perseverance.A must see for History buffs.
The story of How cargo airplanes were bought in the US as surplus for 5 thousand dollars is spellbinding.
The first fighters were patch work ME 109's from Checksolvokia which were dissembled and flown into Israel in those cargo planes,and on and on.The air raid in Cairo was also new to me.
 Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

In 1948, a group of World War II pilots volunteered to fight for Israel in the War of Independence. As members of 'Machal' -- volunteers from abroad -- this ragtag band of brothers not only turned the tide of the war, preventing the possible annihilation of Israel at the very moment of its birth; they also laid the groundwork for the Israeli Air Force. ABOVE AND BEYOND is their story. The first major feature-length documentary about the foreign airmen in the War of Independence, ABOVE AND BEYOND brings together new interviews with pilots from the '48 War, as well as leading scholars and statesmen, including Shimon Peres, to present an extraordinary, little-known tale with reverberations up to the present day.
- Written by Anonymous

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2928651801?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_3

William Shatner Presents Chaos on the Bridge 2014 2 1/2 stars out of stars

I watched this on Netflix and was a bit disappointed.It was to be Shatner's take on the first 3 years of all the issues surrounding the series up to Roddenberry's death but many key figures weren’t involved and others were not as believable as you'd believe.Perhaps it was the shortness of only 59 minutes but shockingly there was NO LeVar Burton or Brent Spiner or even Marina Sirtis. However there was Gates McFadden Jonathan Frakes and even Patrick Stewart as examples.Also VERY conspicuous by her absence, Majel Barrett. So it was a few studio heads,producers and writers for the most part and thus boring and self serving.For HARD CORE fans only with nothing else to watch.Clip URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.

Canadian acting legend William Shatner takes viewers inside the creation of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the bold attempt in 1986 to recreate the success of the original television series, in which Shatner played Captain James T. Kirk. The documentary, directed, written and presented by Shatner reveals the drama, chaos and controversy behind the scenes as producers tried to make lighting strike twice. Not only were the beloved original characters of Kirk, Spock and McCoy excluded from the new series, the studio also attempted to block the involvement of the creator of the original series - Gene Roddenberry. Few believed it would work including those closest to the production. Yet Star Trek: The Next Generation went on to enormous success lasting seven seasons and spawning the multi-billion dollar Star Trek franchise, which continues to the present day. Now, more than 25 years later, William Shatner brings together the cast, crew and fans of Star Trek: The Next Generation to present...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZBkSnj65h4

TV Series - The Man In The High Castle 2015 - Amazon Prime TV series 2015 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

My eldest son told me to watch this and as I was giving Prime another chance I did.There is one season out there now and I hope a second is coming.To be fair after the first 2 episodes I was somewhat confused but then the various story lines began to make some sense.Still there was a little out of balance on the storylines but I’m sure another season would correct that.As to the those storylines,well there are many.
The main one is that this is the early 60’s and the Germans and Japanese won the war and are occupying the US.What happened to Italy??Anyway that serves as a backdrop to a bunch of films that show the allies winning the war.Humm how could that be and who or what is “The Man in the High Castle”
I don’t want to give to much away but there is heavy drama,real heavy and some things that make you think both pro and con about the”human”condition and just what the truly means.
As far as the sci-fi meaning of all this,well thats a real teaser for a second season.
Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.Really suited for you bingers and sci-fi/history buffs.

Based on Philip K. Dick's award-winning novel and adapted by Frank Spotniz, The Man in the High Castle explores what it would be like if the Allied Powers had lost WWII, and Japan and Germany ruled the United States. Starring Rufus Sewell (John Adams), Luke Kleintank (Pretty Little Liars) and Alexa Davalos (Mob City). Executive produced by Ridley Scott (Blade Runner). Written by Amazon Studios

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2042343961?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_4

Love & Teleportation (2013) - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2013 and running only 92 minutes,I saw this film on Amazon and it reinforced my belief to give Prime another chance as this was free for those members.
Now this film starts fairly slow,almost boring so and the cast,well there are better BUT after about 20 minutes I was hooked and the cast began to FIT !!!
But this is a story film and I think almost anyone could have acted in it.That is both a strength and a weakness,thus a 4 but no 5 nor a much lesser 3 if you get my drift.
The story is simple enough almost Don Quixote-ish till the very end than it takes on a ,well lets just say I didn’t see THAT coming.However it all makes sense if you saw “Somewhere in Time”a film reviewed on this blog.So its a little gem for film fans of a films that view as a book,and you readers out there know what I mean.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is directly below.Amazon Prime subscribers there is still some hope yet.

Brian Owens was once a prominent professor of quantum mechanics until an accident stripped him of his credentials; he now teaches at a community college. In order to reclaim his stature, he is trying to build the world's first teleportation machine in his garage at night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HdANunFC2E

Limitless - 2011 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5

Heard of this movie when it was released but never checked it out because its star,Bradley Cooper as Eddie Morra,was for me,little more than a “Hangover” movie buffoon,a movie that was reviewed here.Well as THIS movie predates “American Sniper”,a film also reviewed here,I must say I was so wrong,the man is a ACTOR !!!The plot sort of turned me off.A “good”high drug for intellagence??Really??However MR Coopers performance makes you CARE and I will check out the new series because of his performance here lending realism to a sad storyline.In fact this movie is FULL of good acting.We only wish there was more of Andrew Howard as Gennady,a actor who to me is a fine possible successor to the long line of fine TV/movie villains we love to hate.Abbie Cornish as Lindy was unknown to me,but not anymore and of course Robert De Niro as Carl Van Loon to name but a few.Still the drug addictive script is a bit disturbing I forgive it as it has a sci-fi limitless mental possabilities.Think “Lucy”a film also reviewed here,but not as extreme.So I do recommend for the acting and as a intro to what I hope will be a good TV series.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.


With the help of a mysterious pill that enables the user to access 100 percent of his brain abilities, a struggling writer becomes a financial wizard, but it also puts him in a new world with lots of dangers.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1648531481?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_8

Cape No. 7 - 2008 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5

Ah how to begin.First its too long at 129 minutes but thats the only real negative along with being subtitled.Its a love set in Taiwan between a Japanese advance girl coming to set up a beach front performance by a Japanese male singer but she needs a local opening band act.However if you get through the standard “The Commitments”and “The Full Monty”early sort of storyline ,both films previously reviewed here,then you’ll get to seewhy this film represented Taiwan in the Best Foreign Film category of the Oscar Academy Award 2009, but unfortunately it was not nominated.AND that is an improbable love story superimposed over a lost one 60 years earlier with tinges of Casablanca thrown in,another film reviewed here prior, but in reverse.You have to see it to get it.So the trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

A unusual group of people in a village on the coast of Taiwan form a band to perform at a beach concert, while the lead singer searches for the intended recipient of 7 lost love letters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TaIUCyyiXI

Colin Quinn Unconstitutional 2015 - 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Caught this on NETFLIX and grabbed this info below  from a web site called “the interro bang”

Colin Quinn tweeted some big news.  “Colin Quinn Unconstitutional” is coming to Netflix! Now all you couch huggers will be able to see the genius of CQ’s one man stage show dissecting, deconstructing and devouring our nations most revered document– the US Constitution.  The show, which was directed by Rebecca Trent originally ran at the Barrow Theater in New York City with an extended run at the Cherry Street Theater.

It is laugh out loud funny and VERY PC INCORRECT,I loved it !!!
The only drawback is Quinns soft spoken drawl can be hard to understand now and then,or maybe its just me.All that said if your politically astute and not just a dumb couch potato with no sense of the world,you will enjoy it as well.Trailer short follows the picture.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5-rHqbp4vE