Blue Rays and DVD’s: Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

This is the last of the three Night at the Museum movies and may have been the best.  It was definitely better than the second movie.  It again stars Ben Stiller as Larry Daley who is the security guard at the Museum of Natural History in New York City.  When the museum closes at night, the exhibits come to life.  In this version, all of the characters travel to London to visit the British Museum. 

This movie is loaded with stars.  Besides playing Larry Daley, Ben Stiller also plays Laaa who is a Neanderthal.  Ben Kingsley plays as a powerful pharaoh named Merenkahre.  Dick Van Dyke stars as Cecil, a retired security guard for the museum.  Rebel Wilson plays Tilly, the security guard at the British Museum, and Owen Wilson plays Jedediah, the cowboy.  It also features the late Mickey Rooney as Gus, another retired security guard, and the great Robin Williams as Theodore Roosevelt.  Even Hugh Jackman makes a brief appearance.

Ben Stiller was terrific as was the other cast and I really enjoyed it. 

I gave this movie 2 ½ out of 4 stars.  

Blue Rays and DVD’s: Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

I truly loved everything about this movie starring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta, Liam Hemsworth as Gale, Woody Harrelson as Haymitch, and Donald Sutherland as President Snow.  This movie in the Hunger Games saga is very good and full of action.  Katniss continues her fight for independence for her people from President Snow.  Peeta, however, is being held by President Snow and used as a pawn to convince Katniss to stop her resistance. 

The acting, the imagery, and everything involved in this movie is spectacular.  Even if you were able to catch this at the theater, I recommend you add this movie to your DVD/Blue Ray collection.  

I gave it four out of four stars.  

Run All Night

Run All Night is an action movie starring Liam Neeson as an aging hitman named Jimmy.  Jimmy had worked most of his life for his best friend Shawn, played by Ed Harris.  Because of his profession, Jimmy’s son Mike (Joel Kinnaman) will have nothing to do with him.  Mike is an amateur boxer as well as a limousine driver. 

Shawn’s son Danny (Boyd Holbrook) is trying hard to follow in his father’s footsteps but doesn’t have his father’s experience and maturity.  He tries to join with an Armenian man to venture into drug smuggling but his father refuses to agree.  Danny has already taken money from the Armenian’s and when they come to collect, he tries to swindle them.  Danny kills them all with the help of a friend. 

The Armenian’s had hired Mike to drive them.  While waiting outside, he witnesses the death of one of the men.  After realizing that Mike is a witness, Danny goes after him but Mike disappears leaving behind his wallet.  Danny calls his father who calls Jimmy.  Shawn tells Danny that he will take care of it but Danny doesn’t listen and goes to Mike’s house anyway.  

Mike asks Jimmy to leave.  While outside, Jimmy notices Danny’s car.  He arrives just in time to keep Mike from being shot by Danny.  Jimmy kills Danny in order to save Mike.  Out of respect, he calls Shawn to tell him what has happened.  Shawn advises him that Mike will be killed in retribution and next will be Jimmy.  The chase is then on and Jimmy and Mike are now on the run. 

The acting by Liam Neeson and Ed Harris was amazing.  They work really well together.  Joel Kinnaman was also quite good and held his own with his performance. Nick Nolte even made a brief appearance as Eddie, Jimmy’s brother.  The action in this movie was terrific and kept you entertained.  Once you see this movie, you will enjoy it as much as I did.  

I gave this movie 3 ½ out of 4 stars.

Cinderella

This version of the Disney Classic stars the beautiful Lily James in the lead role as Ella, Richard Madden as Kit the prince, and Cate Blanchett as Lady Tremaine who his Ella’s wicked step mother.  This version was superbly directed by Kenneth Brannagh. 

Ella’s mother dies when she is very young.  Her mother left her with the words to always show courage and kindness to others.  She quickly becomes the apple of her father’s eye.  He becomes lonely and marries the recently widowed Lady Tremaine who has two daughters of her own.   Ella’s father’s profession requires him to travel around a lot.  While away on a trip, her father dies leaving her alone with her wicked step mother and two wicked step sisters.  All quickly assign her the duties of cooking and cleaning for them and banish her to the attic. 

One day while out riding her horse, she comes upon a group of hunters and chastises one of them for hunting a defenseless animal.  She did not realize that the man she spoke to was the prince as he only told her his name was Kit. 

There is to be a ball that all of the people of the land are invited to. The purpose of the ball is for the prince to choose a wife.  Ella wants to attend so she might meet up again with Kit but is forbidden by her step mother.  However, she finds a way with the help from her fairy godmother.

The imagery in this movie was terrific.  I really loved everything about this movie.  I have seen several versions of Cinderella but this might be the best.  I encourage all families to take their kids.  However, adults will enjoy this just as much.  

I highly recommend this movie and gave it four out of four stars.