Ant-Man

Hey everyone!  The billion dollar Marvel/Disney industry made another one!  Oh, you haven't heard?  Its Ant-Man!  You know, one of the original comic book Avengers.  How has he not had a movie already you ask?  Because who cares!  My Daughter has seen this twice and said its the best SH movie yet!  No, I have not gown out of this genre, I love these movies and as I have said before, I cant get enough of them.  Well after taking my son this weekend, I may have had enough.  I expected so much from this movie, especially casting Rudd as the lead.  He is a funny dude and was hoping he would knock it out of the park.  Well, I was let down throughout this movie a number of times.  I was expecting a Guardians of the Galaxy staring a comedian as the lead, but this really fell short.  I can say the saving grace of this film was absolutely Michael Pena and T.I.  Pena was true genius with the way he presented his lines.  I will give this movie an extra star just because of him! Even Evangeline Lilly, who is usually super hot was average in this.  I feel like this was thrown together for the sake of having another pay day for Marvel.  There were some good laughs, and a few good fight scenes along with cool CGI, but the end was a build up for a let down.  I wouldn't say this is the worst SH movie, but it would be behind (in order), Dark Knight (actually all of the newer Batman's), Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers, Iron Man, X Men First Class, and Incredible's.  I would put this on your list of wait for Redbox, but the Popcorn might not be as good....Unless you have a bag of Vic's Cheese!

FYI:  Howard Stern tried to buy the rights to Ant-Man 15 years ago hoping for a future movie.

***1/2

The Jokesters

Ahhh, the generation of early 20's boys who are not only the center of the universe but without a care in the world.  Those were the good ole days!  When college frat boys get together and try to one up each other with pranks, things tend to get a little messy.  Who cares about the repercussions especially when your reputation is on the line!  Now throw in a hit You tube sensation, prankster video series and BAM!  You've got yourself a hell of an inflated ego.  Well these boys just being boys decide to take the prank to the next level by pranking the wedding toast of their bestie, which then turns into following them on their honeymoon to scare the shit out of them.  Sounds like a noble idea right?  I mean seriously, these are your best friends, cut them some slack!  And whatever you do, dont turn the pranking around on them!  Obviously by now you have picked up on my sarcasm and know that something bad happens, I mean just look at the movie poster above!  Yet another found footage film, and I was pretty good with this one.  It is your typical horror movie that isn't gong to win any Oscars, and the acting was pretty shotty but not the worst I have seen.  I liked it, I was entertained and kept watching to see what was going to happen next.  The twist it took was a little unexpected but predictable after it happens and the "Crazy" came out.  Worth a watch for those who need a newer horror fix.  Just dont mess with another mans pranking status!!!

FYI:  During the filming of this film the Dolly Grip found a piece of a human foot in the snow.

**1/2

The Guest

Excuse me ma'am, did I leave my boots under your bed?  Classic nice guy move, especially when after retrieving his boots, he puts a 9 mm slug through her head!  These days some of the best movies are those that pay homage to 80's flicks with a new age twist, and this is one of em!  Don't get me wrong there were some ugly cinema faults here, but over all a really good flick.  The story is not new, War hero, stranger appears in a town claiming to have been friends with a family who's son died in the war.  He is invited in and treated like family.  Something is off, but you just can put your finger on it.  He helps the family in very unrealistic and predictable ways, like every other movie of the sort.  Then, the shit hits the fan.  In a way I felt like there were two movies here, the beginning was outstanding and had your sucked in from the very start.  The second act is where the holes start to form and become cheesy Hollywood.  The soundtrack was awesome!  I would give this movie an extra star just for that!  The acting was pretty good, and Maika Monroe is a great little actress!  The ugly shows with the predictability and extensive use of bullet dodging.  I can usually look past that for a good acting job, but that was ruined a few times.  Overall, great flick that you can watch immediately on Netflix.  Give it a shot and raise those flags up high!  Stop being a communist!

FYI:  Dan Stevens would do 100 push ups and 100 sit ups and drink a diet coke just before his shirtless scenes.

***1/2

Creep

Good ole Craigslist does it again!  They have made quite a name for themselves with the cinema promotion of its infamous rip offs, murders, rape, and just plain weirdness.  Let me introduce you to "Creep", a pretty good Netflix find that will take you into the world of a cash strapped cameraman who answers an AD to video a client for 8 hours for $1000.  Seems harmless, until he meets the freak.  Played very well by Mark Duplass, the dude from The League.  It seems he has a terminal illness and wants a video of his day to leave for his unborn son.  Well he spews weirdness and creepy vibes throughout the day.  This only leads to him becoming an obsessed psychopath filled with deceit and crazy.  I actually enjoyed this movie and it really kept me wanting more.  The problem is it is so filled with holes and predictable scares that it almost becomes laughable.  I had to really put myself in this situation to fully enjoy what they were trying to do and think if the viewer can do that, they wont be disappointed.  It is another found footage film, which I have said in the past I love.  Mainly because it gives you a view of how something could be real and not give you the sense of a Hollywood studio in the background.  I found myself saying, call the cops, go to the police station and just go many times, but in the end, some people are just dumb!  Give this a shot, its easy and entertaining and will give the words "Peach Fuzz" a whole new meaning!

FYI:  This is the first installment of a not yet made trilogy.

**1/2

I Saw The Devil

Ever want revenge?  I'm talking serious torture, mind blowing, cat playing with a half dead mouse kind of revenge.  This movie may just be your guide, like reading "Revenge for Dummies".  First you have to be a real bad ass, and really smart.  Next you have to loose someone you really love and let it completely consume you.  Lastly, you have to be able to stomach some pretty gruesome stuff.  Here we have another masterpiece staring the infamous Min-sik Choi (Oldboy,  Lady Vengeance) who plays a sadistic, serial killer that picks the wrong victim.  He kills the wife of a Secret Agent that sets out to track and torture the killer by becoming a monster himself.  He brings catch and release to a whole new level and decides that a simple death is just to good for this psycho.  There have been plenty of Korean revenge movies in the past, all with a touch of originality and this one sets the bar high yet again!  Unfortunately for humanity, the agent does what most of us would want to do to the killer if we had the means and skills.  I don't want to give away too much, but this movie adds the anticipated twists and complicated plot lines that I have come to love with these Korean horror movies.  Prepare yourself for gore and action with this hidden Netflix gem!  BTW, the next time you go on a murder spree, be careful when choosing your victim!

FYI:  This is Choi's first film since his protest over the Korean Film Guild.

****

The Judge

Daddy issues?  This is the movie for you!  Here is how I will interpret the script for you in a condensed version.  (Son) Boo Hoo, Poor me.  Daddy didn't give me enough attention or praise growing up.  I'll show him, (enter teenage angst, recklessness, and insubordination).  Oh, that didn't work, I'll show him, (enter over the top scholar, top of his class, graduate of prestigious law school).  Poor me, still sad, i'll hide my family from him.  (Father) Quiet, and listen to me!  I'm a hard ass and the Judge of this little town.  What I say goes, even when I am accused of murder and dying.  I will never let up, ever!  Sound familiar?  If so, you better bring some tissue and prepare for the water works.  This 2 1/2 hour movie was praised and flew below the radar for a long time.  I have to say, I am disappointed in myself for taking so long to watch it.  I loved this movie!  The writing and script was excellent and the performance by Downey Jr. and Duvall was absolutely outstanding.  Of course they are great in everything they do, but the setting here was perfect.  In short, a family broken up by a demanding father who hides his love for them is brought back together by the death of their mother.  This escalates into a series of events where the honorable Judge is accused of a crime and has to depend on his estranged son to help.  There were some cheesy and campy issues I had with a few parts but all in all a great watch.  If only real life was written like a movie script.

FYI:  This is the third time Duvall and Downey have worked together but Duvall didn't remember him when filming began.

****1/2

Horrible Bosses 2

Seriously though, who hasn't wanted to kill their boss at one time or another?  Some of you out there may have actually pulled it off!  If you have seen the first installment of this series, you will agree that its probably not a good idea to plan malicious acts against superiors, especially if you are a group of complete idiots!  This was an outstanding sequel!  Bateman, Sudeikis, and Day are great together and compliment each others comedic actions perfectly.  I would throw them up with some of the great trios of comedy cinema.  In this second act, the trio here come up with an invention called Shower Buddy, which has soap and shampoo come out along with the water.  They market it to some high roller companies and find interest with Waltz and Pine, who predictably screw them over.  Then the fumbling, idiocy begins, and in perfect fashion.  Pine almost steals the show here but with so many great actors its hard to pin point the best.  With returning roles of Aniston, and Foxx, this movie comes together very well.  This is a definite watch, even if your not a fan of the lead actors.

FYI:  Foxx wanted to have the Hangover guys make a cameo but was denied.

****