Review: Evil Dead

Release Date:  April 5, 2013

Running Time: 91 minutes
Starring: Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Jessica Lucas

Who to see it with: A horror movie buff.

David: 

I hadn't seen the original Evil Dead (I know, I know, I'm terrible) so I didn't know what to expect.  But man this was a good movie!  The remake of the original horror classic follows five young adults who discover a terrible secret in a secluded cabin (horror movies always seem to be set in the woods don't they).  Obviously everything goes wrong and terror and gore commence.  That terror and gore, however, is very well done.  The actors are not big name stars but have very solid performances.  The setting and atmosphere are creepy and really adds to the overall feel of the film.  The effects are awesome, gory, and sometimes downright twisted.  The book of the dead also looks amazing with some really terrific (or terrorific) illustrations.  The sounds are eerie and keep you on edge.  Some of the acting is a little corny and the characters make some pretty dumb decisions but overall I enjoyed the movie.  If you're a fan of horror films, 

See it.

PS - There IS a stinger at the end of the credits so make sure to stay!

Review: G.I. Joe: Retaliation

Release Date:  March 28, 2013

Running Time: 110 minutes
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, D.J. Cotrona, Channing Tatum, Bruce Willis

Who to see it with: Your friend that likes explosions and gunfire and stuff. 

David: 

I wasn't expecting this movie to be good.  I expected a summer movie with big explosions and lots of fighting and that's what I got.  The action was exciting, the explosions were extreme, and there were some funny moments.  Some of the scenes were intentionally absurd / corny which added some levity to the movie.  But, the plot seemed overly serious and made no sense.  Also, some of the CG effects were not well done.  I missed some of the characters from the first movie (Marlon Wayans and Rachel Nichols) but the additions to the cast were enjoyable--especially Dwayne Johnson as Roadblock and RZA as the blind master (see overly corny section).  I think the main problem with G.I. Joe is that it doesn't know what it wants to be.  Is it a serious, the world is in danger type movie or is it a corny, throwback to the eighties show?  Well, it tries to be both and doesn't really succeed in either.  

Rent it.

PS - There is no stinger at the end of the credits.

3D Note - Not worth it.  It didn't really add anything to the movie and there were several scenes where it was distracting (such as having an obscured person in the foreground or unnecessary 3D effects).  

Review: Admission

Release Date:  March 22, 2013

Running Time: 117 minutes
Starring: Tina Fey, Paul Rudd, Nat Wolff

Who to see it with: Anyone that doesn't mind subtitles. 

David: 

Tina Fey is always hilarious.  Paul Rudd is also pretty hilarious.  That combination should have made for an amazing, funny movie.  And Admission is very funny, has lots of great moments, and has some great characters to move the story along.  The movie starts off strong with some very funny admission related jokes, then continues as Tina Fey learns more about Paul Rudd's school and the unique students he has.  But then it starts to drag on.  It was by no means painful but it definitely started to slow down.  It picks up in the end, but also doesn't resolve everything and leaves a few holes in the story.  Still, Admission is a very funny movie and if you like Tina Fey's other work, you'll enjoy this.  If you like those movies, see it, but otherwise

Rent it.

Review: Starbuck

Release Date:  March 22, 2013

Running Time: 109 minutes
Starring: Patrick Huard, Julie LeBreton, Antoine Bertrand

Who to see it with: Anyone that doesn't mind subtitles. 

David: 

Starbuck follows a man who, due to numerous sperm donations, has unknowingly fathered 500

some odd children; 142 of whom are seeking to find out who their father is.  Not wanting to reveal his identity, he attempts to casually meet them without them realizing he is their dad.  As he undertakes this endeavor, he also has to balance his own life and family while meeting his new, 142 person family.  This preposterous premise creates an amazingly touching movie.  Starbuck is an absolute gem.  The acting is great, the writing is phenomenal, and the characters are a lot of fun.  Patrick Huard does an excellent job playing the perpetual screw up with a heart of gold.  His expressions seem genuine and he really carries the movie.  The interactions he has with his "children" are entertaining and moving.  Even the subtitling is well done; many of the jokes are laugh out loud funny.  Like another phenomenal film in French (the Intouchables), Starbuck is being remade for American audiences but don't bother to wait for that.  This movie is perfect the way it is and you should really experience it if you can.

See it.

Side note, the screening I went to had some of the best freebies I've received.  Little "deposit" cups filled with candy. 

Review: Jurassic Park in 3D

Release Date:  April 5, 2013 (original release June 11, 1993)

Running Time: 127 minutes
Starring: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum

Who to see it with: Everyone, this is a classic

David: 

Jurassic Park is a Spielberg classic.  You've probably already seen it.  I must have seen it 5 or 6 times by now.  Twice in theaters, 2 or 3 times in junior high, and I imagine it must have been on TV a few times.  So I wasn't expecting much from the 3D re-release but I was still excited to see it again in theaters.   And, I was blown away.  I was impressed by how good it looked in IMAX.  

The picture was amazingly clear and everything looked great.  Maybe it's the fact that this movie used a lot of animatronics and actual sets, but everything held up much better than I would have expected.  The CG is a little dated but not distracting, mostly because it's just used as a small part of some really beautiful scenes.  And the sound.  The sound design was brilliant.  I still got chills hearing the opening theme as the helicopter approached the Isla Nublar.  The 3D was also a nice touch.  It was not distracting and added some nice depth to the movie; it also provided me with a new way to enjoy a movie I'd already seen many times.  There were a few instances were depth issues occurred but overall it contributes to the film.  If you haven't seen it, you need to.  And if you have already seen it, still see it again.  

See it.

Review: Upside Down

Release Date:  March 15, 2013

Running Time: 100 minutes
Starring: Jim Sturgess, Kirsten Dunst, Timothy Spall

Who to see it with: Someone who likes sappy romantic movies or beautiful movies

David: 

Upside Down is set in a world where there are two planets next to each other.  Each planet has it's own gravity and objects from one world are only affected by that world's gravity (don't think too hard about the physics issues involved there).  This unusual premise leads to some amazing visuals and some corny plot.  The visuals in this movie are simply beautiful.  The two worlds motif leads to some awesome scenes where the worlds interact.  This also allows for some really cool interactions where gravity is affecting objects differently in a scene.  These visuals and interesting premise are counteracted by some truly cheesy dialog and plot twists.  The movie goes out of its way to make things work out for the better, usually without much explanation or with giant leaps of faith.  The acting is good and I really liked the characters (especially Tomothy Spall as one of the coworkers).  But overall, the visuals aren't enough to make this a must see. 

Rent it.

Review: The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

Release Date:  March 15, 2013

Running Time: 100 minutes
Starring: Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde, Jim Carrey

Who to see it with: Someone who likes stupid comedy movies

David: 

This movie is not a masterpiece.  It's not even a great movie.  But, it's a really funny comedy.  Is it predictable?  Yes.  Does it have stupid jokes?  Yes.  But does it have many great laugh-out-loud moments?  Yes.  Is the cast phenomenal and enjoyable as their over the top characters?  Yes.  Steve Carell and Steve Buscemi make a very funny combination and the addition of Olivia Wilde as their assistant adds to the comedy.  Finally, Jim Carrey is just perfect as an eccentric street magician.  The plot is predictable but well done.  The jokes are funny, the magic tricks are over the top, and the movie ends on a high note.  The last scene is probably the best moment of the movie and it's always a plus when a movie ends strong and leaves you laughing.  All in all, just know what you're getting into.  If you want to see a funny comedy that's not going to blow you away, see it.  Otherwise,

Rent it.

Review: The Place Beyond the Pines

Release Date:  March 20, 2013

Running Time: 140 minutes
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Ray Liotta

Who to see it with: People working out their daddy issues

David: 

The Place Beyond the Pines is a very interesting movie.  It's a long, complex, thoughtful movie; it's not for someone who wants to take in a quick flick.  Essentially, it's three related movies that have connecting story lines and characters.  The overarching theme is the legacy one person leaves to another; it's an interesting theme that permeates the three main stories of the movie.  The director, Derek Cianfrance, does an amazing job shooting this.  The cinematography is phenomenal and the stories relate in some very interesting ways.  He also successfully draws parallels between the different parts of the movie by using similar shots and similar musical cues.  And the tension!  The director is a master of creating and utilizing tension; there are some crazily tense scenes in this film.  This movie is not for everyone.  It's long and definitely feels like a long movie.  But, for those who have the interest in this movie, it will definitely reward you.  I definitely found myself thinking a lot about the movie and the different characters after it was over.  If that sounds like something you'd like to see, then see it.  Otherwise, 

Rent it.