The Return of the Force

It is difficult for me to explain just how much I love Star Wars. "A lot" doesn't really get us in the ballpark. You can imagine my excitement when I saw this. JJ Abrams did it. Star Wars is back with Episode VII: The Force Awakens, and I couldn't be happier.

One of the biggest questions everyone had before this film was how they would manage to combine the old elements (actors, tropes, even technology) with this new world set 30 years in the future where we last left things in Return. Fear not, they succeeded. Harrison Ford is back baby! Carrie Fisher is back. Peter Mayhew. The droids. Mark Hamill. Plus, the new cast is pretty stellar: Daisy Ridley (total badass), John Boyega, Oscar Issac, Adam Driver, Lupita Nyong'o. The future is in good hands.

You'll notice I haven't talked much about the film. That is for two reasons. The first is that I don't want to spoil anything. The second is that it is Star Wars. You know what to expect in many ways. Explosions. Spaceships. Wookies yelling. I mean, if you don't already like these things you will like being introduced to them. This is an entertaining fast paced space western comedy drama movie. Just like the old ones. Not like the prequels.

9/10. I wouldn't change much. Sure, a few things, but I love Star Wars. I'm a homer.

Who runs the world? Girls.

Suffragette is an excellent period piece about the struggle for suffrage for women in the UK. Director Sarah Gavron's third movie is definitely worth your time.

The star of this show is easily Carey Mulligan. Her role as the reluctant suffragette with a family is inspiring and well done. Her portrayal is in stark contrast to that of her husband played by Ben Whishaw. Helena Bonham Carter is pretty sweet too. Oh, and would you believe it, Meryl Streep is in this for like two seconds.

Do you like inspiring movies? Do you like female focused movies? Of course you do. Watch this.

This movie is a very solid 7/10.

NASA propaganda done right

The Martian is one of the most entertaining books I have ever read. I read the thing in 18 hours. Fact. Ridley Scott directs the film adaptation of the book. Do I even need to write a review?

A small note, but an important one because it speaks to the quality of the film. I saw this movie in 3D, and I forgot that it was 3D until after the movie was over. There were no needless 3D action sequences. The 3D was a seamless part of the movie. Bravo. As far as the acting? All top notch. Matt Damon delivers. Jessica Chastain is great. Michael Peña is severely underrated in Hollywood. Why isn't he in more movies? He has 72 acting credits. Maybe I'm not watching enough of his stuff. Chiwetel Ejiofor is awesome. Sean Bean! Jeff Daniels! Okay, now I'm just listing people in the movie. Kate Mara. I'm done.

This review is light on analysis. Why? Because it can be. This movie is damn near perfect, and all I need to say is go see it.

9/10, I should just give this 10/10. Actually this is 10/10.

Khaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!

Star Trek: Into Darkness is a worthy successor to the J.J. Abrams Star Trek reboot. I suppose that shouldn't come as a surprise since Abrams directed both.

I'd be remiss to not type this, "KKKKKKKHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!" Now that is out of the way. This is an above average sequel. I enjoyed Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Zoe Saldana, and all of the gang! Beneditct Cumberbatch steals the show. What are you surprised? I didn't think so. Listen, there's some plot, and conflict, and it is entertaining.

If you like Star Trek you will definitely like this movie. Yep, that's it.

7/10, very solid 7

I got 99 problems and my home is one

The financial crisis of 2008 was devastating to homeowners. 99 Homes is a tale about that devastation. Ramin Bahrani's movie showed on a very intimate level the pain of that crisis for one family, and the money that was made by some.

When did Andrew Garfield become a serious actor? I guess he was pretty good in The Social Network. Regardless, Andrew Garfield is great in this movie playing a dad trying to make things right for his son and mother. Unfortunately for his character he enters the employ of an extremely shady real estate agent played by Michael Shannon. Michael Shannon has been on fire recently, and his performance in this movie is pretty spectacular. Laura Dern is decent as Andrew Garfield's mom, but Noah Lomax is superb as Andrew Garfield's son.

This movie is well written, and well acted. I think that some people may not like it given the subject matter, but that is probably because the movie hits a little too close to home.

8/10 on most days, 7/10 on the others. Again, I should really just adopt half points.

In the land of wolves

Denis Villeneuve's Sicario is a dark and gripping drama about The War on Drugs. Spoiler alert, no one wins. Given Villeneuve's track record that shouldn't be a surprise.

Sicario follows the story of FBI hostage rescue agent Kate Macer (played masterfully by Emily Blunt) as she tries to get to the bottom of a brutal crime. She's joined in her endeavor by an aloof and comedic Josh Brolin playing some sort of DOD consultant, and a truly menacing, but oddly sweet, Benicio Del Toro. Macer seems in a little over her head, but she does have help from her partner Reggie, played by Daniel Kaluuya, who is equally in over his head. I wish there was more of Jeffrey Donovan in this movie who plays Josh Brolin's assistant or sorts. He was particularly flippant about the violence in the movie.

I haven't said much about the plot because I don't want to spoil anything. The movie grabs you from the first few minutes and doesn't let go until it is over. The cinematography is beautiful. Just go watch it.

This is a rock solid 9/10. Well worth your time.

I would not want to be Equalized

Let's just get this out of the way. Denzel Washington is the man. I don't think that point was in question, but it is worth mentioning. The Equalizer is a very good movie. Don't believe me? Antoine Fuqua is the director. Get over it.

I made the mistake of watching this movie in close proximity to John Wick. I loved John Wick. LOVED IT. The Equalizer is in some ways better than John Wick. Denzel is a very convincing assassin/CIA operative. Perhaps the best part of The Equalizer is Marton Csokas portrayal of the Russian fixer.

Denzel Denzels and lots of bad guys get it. What more do you want?

Score: 8/10. This is a pretty entertaining movie.