Review: Tower Heist (2011)

Ben Stiller.  Period.  He is one of few that have a direct line to my sense of humor, along with Jack Black, Will Ferell, and Seth Rogen.  But in Tower Heist, he has showed a side of him I have never seen before.  You feel yourself rooting for Stiller to actually get away with an incredible crime.  Tower Heist succeeds with the important help of Matthew Broderick, oddly sexy Gabourey Sidibe, and don't forget a subtle comeback for Eddie Murphy.  Eddie hasn't made a really good movie that shows off his roots as a funny black comedian that we saw in past movies.   The movie is fresh, fun and harmless.  In a couple of years, no one will remember this movie.  It doesn't excel, and it doesn't sink.  But with a subject like this, I feel it hard to create a timeless film to remember for decades.  Tower Heist is a movie that if you love Stiller and Murphy, you should see.  If you don't really care, see it.  The only problem with this film is the major plot holes at the climax.  They make no sense.  Whatever, I had fun.
Bottom Line:  Regardless of the plot holes,  Tower Heist yields an all-star cast lead by Stiller and makes you root for not-so-good criminals.


B
'Til Next Time,
Jack

Review: Paranormal Activity 3

Ahh, just what the world needs.  Another Paranormal Activity that is not scary, meaningless, and downright lame.  However, this one is actually good.  It is a prequel to the first two and features the demon Katie and her sister Kristi as children.  The flick has many of the old scare tactics like mysterious moving chairs or ghosts closing doors.  But this one differs because it has a beat.  In order to capture the "entities," the main character devises a mechanical arm that swings at the same rate of a fan.  You see the living room one second, the it revolves to the kitchen, very slowly.  It reminds me of the clock in Insidious (review on that to come).  It scares you!  The last 10 minutes of this movie is frightening.  And it somehow links up events seen in the first two films. SPOILER: Like we see a fire being started, and fans of the first two know what that means!
But I really liked this film!  It was scary, fun, and has cool twists unlike the other films.
Bottom Line:  Under new direction, this fresh PA film definitely won't be forgotten.

B
'Til Next Time
Jack

Review: In Time

I saw this movie with buddies on a Saturday night, hoping to see Paranormal Activity 3.  However, guards don't allow teen boys to see R-Rated movies without a parent.  So we went to In Time.  This movie looked pretty interesting, but was basically the same concept.  A guy wants time, another guy gives it to him, now the guy with all the time, he vows to not waste it.  Weird how he goes and buys sports cars, hotel suites, and suits, and he says he won't waste the time.  There is plot holes like that and sometimes, the time just goes too fast.  One minute Justin Timberlake has 1 minute on his life clock, then he gets time from a friend.  Instantly.  And yet so many people die in this movie on the street.  Why don't they just shake a random stranger's hand and get time?  But that is just me.  Overall, this is an average movie that has good acting, but just not enough complexity.  My favorite actor in this was Olivia Wilde, and of course she has to die 30 minutes into the movie.
 Bottom Line:  In Time has the stuff, but just does it in an average way.  Sorry Justin Timberlake.


C+
'Til Next Time
Jack

Review: Planet Terror

Planet Terror, about a bioweapon that causes widespread disease, is a very gory, trilling, and disgusting movie.  It catches the attention of everyone who likes 1.) Action 2.) Horror 3.) Zombies, and 4.) Prosthetic Leg Machine Guns.  Seriously, who comes up with this stuff?!  It starts off well, but then gets out of control.  When the disease is more widespread, it is a gorefest.  Crazy.  Then, as it is entering the climax, it goes crazy with the machine-gun leg, the explosions, body count, ect.  But, in the midst, this is actually a bitter-sweet movie.  It brings out the teenager in you (and I can say that!).  It is pumped with adrenaline and then some.  This movie is going to be an underground cult flick, somewhat like Evil Dead.  Bottom Line:  With the action, the gore, and the direction under Rodriguez, this is definitely the better of the Grindhouse duo.

High B

'Til Next Time

Jack

Review: Death Proof

Many people think "if the movie is made by Quentin Tarantino, then it has to be good."  Unfortunately, that is not the case with Death Proof.  This movie drags, and drags, and drags!  There is very little plot in this movie.  It is about a murderer who "death proofs" his car.  He then prays on women who he eventually kills.  The big climax should have happened at the 1 hour mark.  This movie just never gets you going and feel excited.  I "Netflix'd" this movie and brought it over to a party with some of my friends.  I also now get teased because I brought over the "most boring movie ever."  Good job, Jack.  Bottom Line:  I expected an adrenaline-rush of a movie that Tarantino usually pleases me with, but I got a boring, meaningless movie which I regret spending 2 hours with.


 I am now going to watch the other "Grindhouse" movie Planet Terror.  This better be good...


D
'Til Next Time
Jack

Review: 50/50

These days, we have been missing a decent feel-good comedy/drama.  Finally, the moment has arrived with the release of 50/50.  It is about a happy, fit man who becomes diagnosed with a rare genetic cancer in his back.  The odds of beating the cancer: 50%.  With the help of his best friend and his friendly therapist, he attempts to conquer the odds and beat the cancer.  Before seeing the movie, I reviewed the cast list and trailers and it seemed like it would be a laugh-out-loud comedy.  However, it has more drama and heart than any other "comedy" I have seen.  Sure, Seth Rogen has some really funny lines, but he has portrayed a side of him that I have never seen before.  I was very pleased with his performance.  But, give the most props to Joseph-Gordon Levitt!  He has made an Oscar-worthy performance for years to come.  This movie will for sure get nominated for: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, Best Music (there is a best music category, right?), and Best Writing.  The only problem in this movie is that there is WAY too much pot smoking in this movie.  I strongly dislike marijuana anywhere, but what do you expect in a Seth Rogen movie?  That is the only no-no in this movie.  Bottom Line:  This rare movie is funny, heartfelt, and uplifting.  I cannot believe how well written, directed, and acted this movie is.




Solid A

'Til Next Time
-Jack

Review: The Thing (2011)

After seeing the first "The Thing" I HAD to see the new prequel in the theaters.  I really enjoyed the first one, and I also liked the new one.  This movie kept the same mood (surprisingly) like the old one, and had a bunch really cool SFX.  The only big difference you can make from these two is that the new one makes really cool graphics depicting the "thing."  Sure, you can say that the new one has less gore, but this is more...how do I put this... grimacing.  Faces intertwine together, bodies split in half, and other bone-wrenching human meals for the Thing.  This one i liked because i gave the backstory for the original.  If you saw the first one, then you would enjoy this one more.  It still had some plot holes, but dang, this thing is SCARY!!! Bottom Line: For those who watched and enjoyed the Carpender Masterpiece, this fresh movie will give you more depth, but still isn't good enough to be recognized for years to come.

B
'Til Next Time
J.F.

Review: Super 8 (2011)

Ah, Super 8, one of my favorite films of 2011 (so far)!  I was very excited to see an IMAX preview screening of this on a school day (good thing I play baseball).  This movie reminds me of E.T. mixed with the Cloverfield monster.  It has heart, soul, and action, all while kids are trying to make a movie with a Super 8 camera.  J. J. Abrams has directed a MASTERPIECE.  But you also have to note that the young cast is SUPURB.  Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning, and Kyle Chandler and all of the other actors deserve a standing ovation.  Bottom line: With the excellent cast and great writing, this movie is an insta-classic.

A
'Til Next Time
J.F.

Review: John Carpenter's The Thing (1982)

John Carpenter's The Thing is about a...well...thing that terrorizes a team of Antarctic scientists including MacReady (Kurt Russel), Dr. Blair (Wilford Brimley), and Dr. Copper (Richard Dysart) in the winter.  The Thing can transform and disguise as any being it kills.  At first you see it as a dog, then as humans.  This movie is Great.  It uses special-effects to its fullest abilities, crafting walking heads, acid-spraying dog-like mutants, and chests biting arms off.  That's right chests biting arms off!  Along with the gross creatures and blood spraying action, this movie keeps you guessing.  You ask yourself "who is it?" and "where did he go?"  Sure, it does drag at some points in the film, but i does pick up. If you have an hour and a half to spare, you should definitely see this movie.  However, this flick is GORY.  Adults, be aware that this is a blood filled fest.  There is no sex or nudity and few f-bombs, but still a hard R.  Hope you enjoyed! 

B+

'Til Next Time,

J.F.

Welcome!

Welcome to Teen Movie Reviews!  I will be posting reviews mostly on movies from the past, because school is in session.  However, in the Summer, i will hopefully get more newly released movies on here!  I decided to make this Blog so i can express my opinion on movies to followers.  I am a big fan of movies and watch many of them a month.  Please follow and i will update you on all of my reviews.
'Til next time,
J.F.