I left Japan in June with a pretty hefty "Summer Movies To See" list - almost 20 movies. In Japan, going to the movie theater is EXPENSIVE plus, not all the movies end up in the theater there. This means that I hadn't been in a movie theater for TEN MONTHS. If you know me at all, then you know going to the theater is one of my most absolute favorite things to do. So, without further ado, here are reviews of some of the movies I've seen so far this summer... some in the theater, some Redbox'ed, some on the list, some not on the list...
Mirror Mirror - 2012 - Lily Collins, Julia Roberts, Armie Hammer
My Rating: 6 out of 10
Summary from IMDB: An evil queen steals control of a kingdom and an exiled princess enlists
the help of seven resourceful rebels to win back her birthright.
My Review: This is one of the movies that was not on my list of "must see." I saw the trailer, wasn't overly thrilled with yet ANOTHER fairy tale adaptation, and was especially not overly thrilled with Julia Roberts - I'm just sick of her. So imagine my surprise when I realized I actually LIKED this movie? Apart from the random queen-rises-from-the-water-to-ask "Who's the fairest of them all?" that was weird... this movie was full of scene stealing moments from the seven dwarfs and Nathan Lane's character, Brighton. Never mind that the dwarfs start out as bandits - Snow White shows them what it's like to be good. The hunky Prince Alcott even shows up for a few laughs of his own. This is one fairy tale adaptation to keep. Except the musical montage at the end... I hated that. Just make sure you leave the theater as soon as the credits start to roll. Save yourself.
Bottom Line: $2 at the cheap theater well spent.
Gone - 2012 - Amanda Seyfried, Jennifer Carpenter, Wes Bentley
My Rating: 5 out of 10
Summary from IMDB: A woman is convinced her kidnapper has returned when her sister goes missing.
My Review: When I looked at my list of movies that I had already seen and saw Gone written on it, it took me a while to realize what this movie had been about. So that should tell you something. Overall, Seyfried tries real hard to convince us that she's totally past her Mean Girls days. What I remember not liking about this movie is that she seems totally crazy throughout the whole thing and it's only as the movie progresses that we get little pieces for why. The pieces don't come soon enough for my taste.
Bottom Line: I'm glad I Redbox'ed this for $1.20.
The Avengers - 2012 - Robert Downey Jr., Christ Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson
My Rating: 9 out of 10
Summary from IMDB: Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. brings together a team of super humans to form The Avengers to help save the Earth from Loki and his army.
My Review: You can think I'm jumping on the bandwagon or whatever you want - this movie was AMAZING. I would give it a 9.5 out of 10 if Cobie Smulders hadn't been so poorly miscast. Go back to Ted, Robin, you don't belong here. I would be hard pressed to find anything else wrong with this movie. The best scenes are not when the Avengers are working together to fight the enemy, it's when they're fighting each other - with words (hilarious!) or with weapons (badass!). Some might say the beginning of this movie starts out too slow and there isn't enough action - I'd say they are dead wrong. Dead wrong. This is a movie that doesn't insult the audience by assuming that all they want are things to go crash and boom. This is a movie that cares about developing their characters and cares about an actual storyline. Sure, they're all superheros, but they're all also human. Don't worry though, there's still plenty of action to go around and each of the characters in this movie pulls his (and her!) own weight. My only piece of advice is to first see Captain America, Iron Man (at least the first), and Thor. Especially Thor since the entire premise of this movie is based on Thor's brother Loki - Tom Hiddleston is RIDICULOUSLY amazing in this movie. Avengers does a good job of catching you up to speed if you haven't seen these other movies (or read the comic books, which I admittedly haven't) but I would still recommend seeing them.
Bottom Line: If I had the money, I'd be paying to see this movie in the theater every day I'm in the States.
Prometheus - 2012 - Noomi Rapace, Logan Marshall-Green, Michael Fassbender
My Rating: 7.5 out of 10
Summary from IMDB: A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth,
leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There,
they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human
race.
My Review: I actually had already heard a lot about this movie before I saw it and knew a lot of people didn't like it and were upset about the ending. Honestly, I don't know what all the fuss was about with the ending - they just set it up for a second movie like any good, money-grubbing Hollywood producer would. What confused me about the movie was Fassbender's character, who is a robot mind you. His intentions seemed to waver between which side he was on and it was never really explained. Even still, I very much enjoyed this movie especially since it was spearheaded by a kick-ass female who gives herself an alien baby abortion (in a squirm inducing scene) and then proceeds to keep kicking ass. I look forward to the next installment and only hope that it includes some flashback scenes for Guy Pearce.
Bottom Line: I'm glad I paid $10 to see this one. Well, I think I went to an early showing and only paid $4.50 but you get my point.
Jeff Who Lives at Home - 2011 - Jason Segel, Ed Helms, Judy Greer
My Rating: 3 out of 10
Summary from IMDB: Dispatched from his basement room on an errand for his mother, slacker
Jeff might discover his destiny (finally) when he spends the day with
his brother as he tracks his possibly adulterous wife.
My Review: Honestly, I fell asleep and didn't even see most of this movie. But from what I did see, I don't care that I missed it.
Bottom Line: I want my $1.20 back from Redbox.
Wanderlust - 2012 - Jennifer Aniston, Paul Rudd, Malin Akerman
My Rating: 6.5 out of 10
Summary from IMDB: Rattled by sudden unemployment, a Manhattan couple surveys alternative
living options, ultimately deciding to experiment with living on a rural
commune where free love rules.
My Review: How can you not love a movie with Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston? Well, I guess I didn't love this movie but I did really like it, which surprised me. I wasn't expecting much and I guess that's the attitude I needed to enjoy it. Actually, I started watching this movie online and had to stop it part of the way through (to go see Prometheus) and was sad to do so. Sure, it ends exactly the way you know it will from the beginning but there are plenty of surprises and laughs along the way to keep you entertained. So hit up a Redbox near you and crack open a beer and enjoy this movie.
Bottom Line: If I hadn't watched it online for free, I would have paid $2 at the cheap theater.
Rock of Ages - 2012 - Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise
My Rating: 7 out of 10
Summary from IMDB: A small town girl and a city boy meet on the Sunset Strip, while pursuing their Hollywood dreams.
My Review: This movie is the most campy, silly fun you will have at the theater all summer - and that's a compliment to this movie! It's a nostalgic homage to some of the great 80's rock. One of my only complaints is Diego Boneta - I didn't like him and his face ass is distracting. (Another complaint is there was no Meat Loaf in this movie, come on!) But on the other side of the coin is Stacee Jaxx, aka Tom Cruise, who is fantastic. Cruise plays the washed up rocker role looking for a comeback to near perfection and looks good doing it. If you think the 80's were a great time for music, see this movie. Oh and here is a link to just a small piece of my favorite musical number: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBnXLVNB278 If this doesn't make you want to see the movie, nothing will.
Bottom Line: I'd pay $10 at the theater for this one.
The Five Year Engagement - 2012 - Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Chris Pratt
My Rating: 6 out of 10
Summary from IMDB: One year after meeting, Tom proposes to his girlfriend, Violet, but
unexpected events keep tripping them up as they look to walk down the
aisle together.
My Review: My biggest complaint about this movie is that they do not mark the time well. In the beginning when the couple first moves to Michigan, it's unclear if it's been a week, months, or years. Only when Blunt's sister shows up with her kid that we get any sense of how much time is passing. There are laughs scattered throughout the movie and Segel and Blunt have amazing chemistry, but none of that overshadows the fact that this movie is a half hour too long. Okay, the ending ALmost makes up for it.
Bottom Line: I'm glad I paid $2 at the cheap theater for this one. Wait, I think my mom did... even better :-)
What to Expect When You're Expecting - 2012 - Cameron Diaz, Matthew Morrison, J. Todd Smith, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Ben Falcone, Anna Kendrick, and so many more
My Rating: 7 out of 10
Summary from IMDB: A look at love through the eyes of five interconnected couples
experiencing the thrills and surprises of having a baby, and ultimately
coming to understand the universal truth that no matter what you plan
for, life doesn't always deliver what's expected.
My Review: I'm not sure why this movie didn't do well and people didn't like it. There were some seriously funny scenes! Sure there were the obvious crass jokes but there were also some less in-your-face ones also. The dudes who walk with their kids in the park were hilarious and Rebel Wilson steals absolutely EVERY scene she is in. That girl cracks me up. Sure, Cameron Diaz is still horrible (she couldn't act her way out of a paper bag) but I love everyone else in this movie - even if Dennis Quaid and Brooklyn Decker are a bit over the top. It's funny but it also has a lot of heart. Do yourself a favor and stop listening to what the critics are saying - go see this movie.
Bottom Line: I'd pay $10 to see this in the theater.
Savages - 2012 - Aaron Johnson, Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Salma Hayek, John Travolta, Benicio Del Toro
My Rating: 6 out of 10
Summary from IMDB: Pot growers Ben and Chon face off against the Mexican drug cartel who kidnapped their shared girlfriend.
My Review: Whew, I'm not sure where to begin with this movie. Let's start with my favorite things about it. Benicio Del Toro - oh wow, he is a venomous, slimy snake in this movie. Incredible. Salma Hayek - perfect as her equal parts beautiful but ruthless leader of a Mexican drug cartel. Now for the things I didn't care for so much. Too much gore, sex, gore, sex, gore, sex. Not needed. What also is interesting is that the minute I walked out of the theater I forgot what the movie was about. In the end it turns out to be a movie not so different from other movies even though it tries real hard to be something more.
Bottom Line: I'd pay $2 at the cheap theater.
Okay, now let's move to something different. Below are links to trailers for movies I seriously can't wait to see.
Argo - fall 2012 - Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman
Summary from IMDB: As the Iranian revolution reaches a boiling point, a CIA 'exfiltration'
specialist concocts a risky plan to free six Americans who have found
shelter at the home of the Canadian ambassador.
You had me at, "Ben Affleck directing and starring in."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w918Eh3fij0
If that trailer doesn't give you goosebumps, see your doctor because something is wrong with you.
Looper - 28 September 2012 - Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt
Summary from IMDB: In 2072, when the mob wants to get rid of someone, the target is sent 30
years into the past, where a hired gun awaits. Someone like Joe, who
one day learns the mob wants to 'close the loop' by transporting back
Joe's future self.
I can't wait to see JGL step in to the (very big) shoes of Bruce Willis. I also can't wait to see Emily Blunt wield a gun. Plus it's sci-fi. Count me IN. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI3ju17W070
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