Battling against dragons is the norm on the island of Berk, home of several Norse people. Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) is a teenager and heir to one day run the place. But his progressive views don’t jive too well with the others, especially his father and current clan chief, Stoick (voiced by Gerard Butler). He has to enter dragon-fighting school by force, the island’s right of passage to prove…
This movie didn’t give me anything that I wasn’t expecting when I decided to see it. Though the reviews have been abysmal, the franchise is undeniably critic-proof. I am a big fan of the first film. When it comes to the second film I probably have an irrational hatred for it since I saw it in theatres and it put me to sleep. Then I watched it on television and…
After losing her job and learning that her husband has been unfaithful, a woman hits the road with her profane, hard-drinking grandmother. Before seeing the film I hadn’t seen a lot of advertising or trailers, so it wasn’t sure what to expect. After viewing it I felt as if the film was missing something. The story meandered, the plot was weak, and the laughs were few and far in-between. I…
All the couples are back for a wedding in Las Vegas, but plans for a romantic weekend go awry when their various misadventures get them into some compromising situations that threaten to derail the big event. I saw this film without seeing the original. I figured this movie wouldn’t be so heavy on back story that I would have to worry about being lost. Turns out I was right. If…
After making their way through high school (twice), big changes are in store for officers Schmidt and Jenko when they go deep undercover at a local college. I didn’t even bother watching 21 Jump Street when it came out. I thought it was just another poor remake of an 80s classic and just another example of Hollywood being completely out of ideas. And then it finally came on television, I…
An officer finds himself caught in a time loop in a war with an alien race. His skills increase as he faces the same brutal combat scenarios, and his union with a Special Forces warrior gets him closer and closer to defeating the enemy. I was lucky enough to catch one of the first screenings. I’d only seen movie posters of Emily Blunt and Tom Cruise, thinking that’d be a…
Sleeping Beauty is probably my favorite “classic” Disney film. You’d probably have to ask me on the day which one I prefer between that one and Cinderella (sorry Snow White). So I was certainly anticipating this live action re-imagining of the age-old tale as much as any other enthusiast. But does it live up to expectations? For me, though the film has its flaws, for the most part I was…
The X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants. This cast was filled with everybody who is anybody. After the critical success of X-Men: First Class it put the series back on track, rebounding from that awful X:Men Last Stand and the less than stellar Wolverine films. The film set the bar…
A couple with a newborn baby face unexpected difficulties after they are forced to live next to a fraternity house. Of course the couple stars Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne, while the frat boys include Zac Efron and Dave Franco. I expected mad chaos to ensue, and ensue it did. Zac Efron has definitely moved on from Disney and put on his big boy pants. Though he’s only a couple of…
The world’s most famous monster is pitted against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity’s scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence. So in other words, Godzilla’s the good guy? That’s what the plot suggests. Based on previews I honestly wasn’t very excited for this. After decades of success the only way to bolster interest in the franchise would be to put a fresh spin on the age-old tale. But for me…