This is Where I Leave You

This movie stars Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, and Jane Fonda.  The movie portrays a family who is observing a week of Shiva following the death of their father and husband.  You get to see the comradery and disagreements amongst siblings while they are in close quarters as adults. 

I really enjoyed all of the characters in this movie.  All their performances were great.  With so many characters in one movie, you expect one part to be poor.  However, all were fantastic.  I gave it 3 ½ out of 4 stars.    

The Maze Runner

This movie starred Dylan O’Brien as a boy who was unknowingly dumped into another world in which the only way out was through a maze that constantly changed.  This was one movie that I did not enjoy much.  The imagery in it was great and the acting was OK, it was just so far-fetched that I couldn’t get into it. 

I gave this movie 1 ½ out of 4 stars.  

Annie

There are several versions of this movie and I enjoy each one.  This one stars Jamie Foxx as Will Sacks, a wealthy mobile phone mogul and mayoral candidate.  Quvenzhane Wallis stars as Annie.  Annie is an orphan living as a foster child in the home of Colleen Hannigan, who was played by Cameron Diaz. 

While out and about one day, Annie is running down the sidewalk and bumps into Mr. Sacks and falls into traffic.  Mr. Sacks quickly snatches her from in front of an oncoming truck.  This act captures the attention of the news as well as his political advisor, Guy, who was played by Bobby Cannavale.  Guy convinces Mr. Stacks to take Annie in to his home in an effort to garner more votes. 

Jamie Foxx, Quvenzhane Wallis, Cameron Diaz, and Rose Byrne (who played Mr. Sacks personal assistant) were all fantastic actors, singers, and dancers.  Their performance was terrific.  I have seen this movie two times and left feeling uplifted and cheerful both times.  I would encourage everyone to bring the entire family to see this movie that grabs you by the heart.  I thought this movie was just as good as any previous version.  I gave this movie 3 out of 4 stars.

The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies

This was the final movie in a sequence of three directed by the great Peter Jackson telling the tale of the battle for middle earth.  The movie begins with Bilbo (played by Martin Freeman) and the dwarfs in the mountain that was the home of Smaug the dragon who was protecting the diamonds and riches within.  In the previous movie, Smaug had been angered and planned to seek his revenge on the town of Laketown, the home of humans including Bard who was played by Luke Evans.  Bard kills Smaug with an arrow but not before Laketown is destroyed. 

Meanwhile Thorin, the leader of the dwarfs and played by Richard Armitage, decides he wishes to keep all of the riches for himself and the dwarfs.  However, many other fractions have the same desire.  And so begins the battle.  

The 3D effects in this movie were spectacular.  I loved the imagery and of course the story.  Peter Jackson once again is in the leadership role of using the latest and greatest of technology.   He is one of the finest directors working today.  Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey had a smaller part in this movie than in the others but was still terrific as were all of the actors who also included Orlando Bloom as Legolas and Evangeline Lilly as Tauriel.  Christopher Lee even made a brief appearance as Saruman the White.  I think everyone should see this movie because it is unbelievably fantastic and meets all expectations.  Even though this movie is fairly long, the time will pass quickly.  I gave this movie 4 out 4 stars.  

Exodus: Gods and Kings

This movie starring Christian Bale in the lead as Moses tells the tale of how Moses led over 400 Hebrew slaves to their freedom from the pharoahs in Egypt.  The movie begins with Moses as a grown man who with his brother Ramesses are in line to be the next pharaoh.  In a battle, Moses saves the life of Ramesses as prophesized by Ramesses’ father Seti who was played by John Turturro.  This was to mean that Moses would become a great ruler. This drew the suspicion and distrust on the part of Ramesses.  Moses is asked to visit the city of Pithom to check on the people there.  While there, he meets with Nun (played by Ben Kingsley) who informs Moses in confidence of his true heritage as a Hebrew himself. 

After his return home, Ramesses is told of this story but is unsure of its accuracy.  But over time he comes to believe and banishes Moses and his family.  Moses soon comes upon a village of sheep herders where he falls in love and marries his wife Zipporah.  About nine years later, Moses is injured during a rockslide and sees a burning bush and a boy named Malak who tells him of God’s plan for him and his wishes.  Here begins Moses leading of the slaves. 

This movie was directed by Ridley Scott who did an excellent job with the portrayal of Moses and Ramesses.  While there was some controversy with the film, I truly enjoyed this movie.  I was entertained by it.  Some will not enjoy this movie as I did but that’s OK.  Everyone must form their own opinion.  The special effects were terrific as was the acting.  I gave this movie 3 out of 4 stars.  

Guardians of the Galaxy

This movie is also a top ten movie.  If you are a fan of the comics, you will love Guardians.  Everything about this movie was fantastic.  I loved the cast, the directing, and the action.    Chris Pratt was one of the stars, Peter Quill, who travels through the galaxy.

I once again recommend that you purchase this move.  Rumor has the characters from this movie as part of the upcoming Avengers movie.  I don’t know if that’s true but that’s the rumor I hear.  I gave Guardians of the Galaxy 4 out of 4 stars.  

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

I love the first Planet of the Apes movie.  It was fantastic, but the Dawn of the Planet of the Apes was one of the best films of the year.  I would highly recommend that everyone buy or rent both movies. 

In Dawn, the apes are living in their own community but again are asked to get along with some of the humans that survived the virus that almost wiped out the human race.  That virus had hit about 10 years ago. 

I gave this movie 4 out of 4 stars.  It’s a great movie.  

The Theory of Everything

This movie tells the life story of Stephen Hawking.  It starts with Stephen, played by Eddie Redmayne, as a high school graduate getting ready to go to college at Cambridge.  While there he meets Jane, the girl of his dreams, who was played by Felicity Jones.  Soon after he begins to notice that something is wrong.   

While walking through campus one day, he falls down.  After a visit to the doctor, it’s discovered that he has a motor neuron disease and is not expected to live past two more years.  Stephen tries to distance himself from Jane, but she convinces him of her love and they marry. 

Of course Stephen proves the doctors wrong but caring for Stephen becomes more than Jane can handle.  The choir director, Jonathan Jones (Charlie Cox) from Jane’s church is their son’s piano teacher.  They invite him to dinner and he volunteers to help Jane out.  Both Jane and Jonathan discover they have feelings for one another, so Jane ends the relationship and hires another woman to help with Stephen’s care. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful movie.  However, you will need to travel to Kansas City to see it.  The acting was fantastic, especially Eddie Redmayne’s portrayal of Stephen Hawking.  Felicity Jones was also superb in her role. The love between both was touching even if it didn’t last.  I gave this movie 3 ½ out of 4 stars.  

Penguins of Madagascar

I was really looking forward to this movie.  It disappointed me.  I found it way to long. 

The movie tells the story of three penguins who leave the “Penguin March” to rescue a runaway egg.  Once the egg hatches, the story covers their exploits.

The penguins were very cute, but the story becomes too complicated.  This was just another Madagascar movie that went nowhere.  I enjoyed the three older penguins (Skipper, Kowalski, and Rico) teaching the little penguin (Private) the ways of the world.  If the polar bear had been in the movie and they didn't leave home, I think it would have been more effective. 

The movie was good but it wasn't great.    This, however, will be a good family movie but my girls were more interested in checking their cell phones than watching the movie.  I gave this movie 2 out of 4 stars.  

A Madea Christmas

This movie was horrific from beginning to end. Tyler Perry cannot act or direct.  I cannot recommend it at all.  I advise you to stay clear of this movie and don’t waste your time.  I gave this movie 0 out of 4 stars. Enough said.  

The Expendables 3

I loved the first two Expendables movies and I loved this one just as much.  Sylvester Stallone did a tremendous job of putting this cast of stars together.  Stallone can get almost anyone he wants and was able to add Harrison Ford to this version.  Mel Gibson also joined playing a villain.  Both he and Harrison made perfect additions to the original members that included Stallone, Jason Statham, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wesley Snipes, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Kelsey Grammer, Antonio Banderas, and Ronda Rousey.

The Expendables head out to battle Mel Gibson who was a former Expendable and now out to get the remaining team.   How can you not like a movie with this many stars?  This movie was fantastic.  I gave it movie 3 out of 4 stars.  I have heard that an all female Expendables is coming out and I can’t wait.   

Horrible Bosses 2

I loved the first Horrible Bosses and found it very funny.  The whole cast returns for the second movie.  In this movie the guys (Charlie Day as Dale, Jason Bateman as Nick, and Jason Sudeikis as Kurt) have all quit their jobs and put everything they have into producing and selling the Shower Buddy.  They meet up with Bert Hanson (Christoph Waltz) and his son Rex Hanson (Chris Pine) who agree to buy their product.

Bert and Rex go back on their word leaving the guys high and dry with no one to sell to and no money left. The guys again acquire the services of Dean Jones played by Jamie Foxx to come up with a plan to kidnap Rex. 

I thought the added characters of Bert and Rex were outstanding in their roles.  Jennifer Aniston was again in this movie and did not disappoint.  Jamie Foxx, Charlie Day, Jason Bateman, and Jason Sudeikis were hilarious.  Not everyone will enjoy this movie but I thought it was tremendous.  If you loved the first one, go see this one as well.  I gave this movie 3 out of 4 stars. 

Hunger Games Mockingjay - Part 1

I couldn’t wait to see this latest Hunger Games film.  It stars the beautiful Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss and Josh Hutcherson as Peeta.  In this movie, Katniss awakes in a hospital bed after being saved in the previous movie by Plutarch Heavensbee  who was played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman.  Peeta, however is residing in the Capital and is under the control of President Snow who was played by Donald Sutherland.  

Katniss is living in District 13 which had been believed to be totally destroyed in the last uprising.  She is being asked by District 13’s President Coin (Julianne Moore) to be the face of the latest uprising to gain their freedom from the Capital.   Peeta is constantly shown on the Capital’s TV station trying to quell the revolution that is beginning in all of the districts. 

I thought this film was the best of the three Hunger Games movies and I cannot wait for the final edition.  I thought that Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson were tremendous in their performances.  Jennifer Lawrence had several instances where she had to sing and she nailed it.  Her voice was beautiful.   The other members of the cast, which again included Woody Harrelson as Haymitch and Liam Hemsworth as Gale, were so good as well that you will want to see this movie again and again.  I gave this movie 4 out of 4 stars.  I truly enjoyed it and I think you will as well.