Let's just say it now. There are not many greats to choose from, but there is no more perfect merger between a product or toy and a movie than "The Lego Movie." No video game movie is this good. No animated or live-action "Transformers," "G.I. Joe," or "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movie can touch "The Lego Movie." This film is an absolute blast and has something for everyone.
Read MoreThe film is up for four Oscars: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, and Best Actress. In profound fashion, it deserves every single one of those nominations in each respective category. "Philomena" may be a smaller British film, but it is a touching story that deserves to be seen by larger audiences.
Read MoreDirecting his fifth film and first since the purposely over-the-top Tropic Thunder from 2008, Ben Stiller turns the macho dial way down and takes his shot at loosely adapting the famous 1939 James Thurber short story that was previously made into a film starring funnyman Danny Kaye in 1947.
Read MoreLike a great middle chapter should, this film escalates the tension, danger, and risk towards an as-yet-unseen climax that is sure to blow our socks off. Are the producers still milking us for three movies that could have fit into one? Probably, but, once again, I, for one, have the patience to respect what these filmmakers are up to and value what others might call tedious.
Read MoreStrong work equals strong results, which is the catalyst to examine Ender's Game, the latest 2013 science fiction blockbuster-to-be. Ender's Game is based on one of the more illustrious pieces of science fiction written in the last half century. Originating as a 1977 short story, author Orson Scott Card's 1985 Cold War-era and Hugo Award-winning military science fiction novel has long been a required reading staple of high school literature classes, college courses, and even our own U.S. Marine Corps.
Read MoreGravity is the best science fiction film from this year’s generous slate of original work in the genre. It’s an entirely worthwhile big screen experience that every single man, woman, and PG-13 eligible child should see for themselves. It’s a special experience. That raises the bar entirely to a whole new level of hype. One that it confidently answers and clears.
Read MoreMany who will see The Spectacular Now are going to look on paper and see a 2013 Say Anything... That's great company for Ponsoldt's film to be mentioned in, but the comparisons are fair and unfair at the same time. Both films offer excellent high school romances that resonate and matter. There's no doubt about that, but the two movies couldn't be more different in time, purpose, and intention.
Read MoreMan of Steel delivers on its massive hype, promise, and, most importantly, potential in every possible way. For as challenging and different of directions the creators has taken this iconic character, their choices worked while still retaining every bit of this hero's essence. The unified goal to change the way we are presented Superman and give us something we've never seen before was a phenomenal success. They've done that and then some. This version of Superman is going to be talked about, dissected, and remembered for a long time.
Read MoreIn the end, this isn't just a good sequel. It's a great sequel. Right when you think one story angle can't get more exciting, a new ingredient or wrinkle is thrown in to make the tension and enjoyment that much greater. With a breathless sense of action that builds cliffhanger on top of cliffhanger, Star Trek Into Darkness fires on all cylinders to deliver arguably one of the best summer blockbusters we've ever seen.
Read MoreThe breathtaking filmmaking vision on display is worth the patience to see through to the end. When it's all said and done, slower than its sequels or not, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will always be the place you seek to begin your cinematic adventure into this world. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is worthy of being placed beside the outstanding epics it will eventually lead towards.
Read MoreAs we enter our story set during the fall of 2008 in New Orleans, the window dressing of a mob movie is still here in Killing Them Softly. The late model cars, slicked back hair, ugly suits without ties, derogatory Italian terminology, leather jackets, hued sunglasses, and a constant cloud of exhaled cigarette smoke are everywhere to be seen, just as you might expect. However, the pulse of this setting is driven by the history of that year and season.
Read MoreSafety Not Guaranteed dares to keep your attention at every turn and really succeeds. The script is brilliant and deserves the praise it has already gotten. From diving deeper into Kenneth's world to seeing the different motivations that come to light, for both our time travelers and our magazine team tailing him, more and more layers of interest keep coming into play. All the while, you feel the countdown and are driven to wonder if Kenneth and his time machine are the real deal when the time comes to leave. This pace makes the movie breeze by and, unlike some other edgy indie movies that sell you with teases, the payoff is really rich and deserved.
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