Blue Rays and DVD’s: Birdman

I thought this movie was the best film in 2014 and should win the Oscars as should Michael Keaton who played the starring role as Riggan.  Riggan had starred as Birdman earlier in his career and is now trying to get back the notoriety that he had before by writing and starring in a Broadway play.

The movie shows the stress that Riggin is under and the struggles he has not only in his career but in his personal life as well.  This is truly a wonderful movie and as I said before should win the Oscar’s hands down.  Go get this movie at the store as it was just released.  The whole cast were fantastic.  Even the set was designed perfectly as it was filmed with only one camera on both sides of the set. 

I gave this movie 4 out of 4 stars

Blue Rays and DVD’s: St. Vincent

This movie stars Bill Murray as Vincent and Melissa McCarthy as Maggie.  Maggie moves in next door after she becomes divorced.  She has a 12 year-old son who needs a father figure.  Maggie works as a nurse and Vincent agrees to help her out with watching her son even though Vincent is far from a good role model.

Vincent’s girlfriend is played by Naomi Watts.  She is a pregnant Russian prostitute and further proof that Vincent is not the normal person to provide support to a young boy. 

This was actually one of the best films in 2014.  Bill Murray deserved to be nominated for an Oscar as did the movie and the director.  All were snubbed which was too bad. 

I gave this movie 4 out of 4 stars.  

Black or White

Elliot Anderson, who is played by Kevin Costner, unexpectedly becomes a widow.  He and is now departed wife had been raising their granddaughter, Eloise (played by Jillian Estell) who is of mixed race.  The Anderson’s daughter died during Eloise’s birth.  The Anderson’s, who had no idea of the pregnancy, blamed Eloise’s father for their daughter’s death. 

Elliot knows nothing of what is required to raise a young girl and is soon challenged for custody by Eloise’s other grandmother, Rowena, who is played by Octavia Spencer.  Rowena has a large family and believes her son should take a part in his Eloise’s life. 

Elliot likes to drink alcohol and begins drinking more and more after his wife’s death.   A court battle soon ensues. 

Kevin Costner is good in all sports movies and was terrific in Black or White as well.  In my books, he deserves an Oscar for this role.  The emotion he showed in this movie was very believable. Octavia Spencer deserves a nod for supporting actress as she was terrific as well.  The directing was worth of an Oscar too.  

I gave this movie 4 out of 4 stars.  The movie was spectacular.  

The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water

This movie features the lovable cartoon character, Spongebob and his friends. The crabby patties are stolen by the pirate, Burger Beard who was voiced by Antonio Banderas, and brought to land.  It is up to Spongebob, Patrick, Squidward, Mr. Krabs, Plankton and the others to bring back the crabby patties. 

My daughter and I really enjoyed it, but it was a little too long.  I still highly recommend it for families with small children.  

I gave this movie 3 out of 4 stars.  

Kingsman: The Secret Service

This movie is an action film based off of a group of spies known as the Kingsmen.  Colin Firth plays the part of Harry Hart (code name Galahad) who is a member of the Kingsmen.  During a mission in the Middle East, one of the members is killed.  Harry goes to visit the family of the fallen member which includes a young boy, Gary. Harry leaves his number for them to call if they are ever in need of assistance. 

Years later, Gary who is known as Eggsy, gets into trouble and lands in jail.  Gary decides to call Harry.   Harry gets him out and sees potential in him.  After the death of one of their members, the leader of the Kingsmen, played by Michael Cain, asks each Kingsman to suggest one person who they feel can replace their lost member.  Harry chooses Eggsy, who is played by Taron Egerton, and so begins Eggsy’s training to become a Kingman.   Eggsy is initially not chosen but is later brought back. 

Samuel L. Jackson plays the part of Richmond Valentine, a very rich man interested in surviving Global Warming who is developing a plan to lessen the harm to the environment.  The Kingsmen are brought into investigate Valentine after several VIP’s begin to disappear.

I really enjoyed this movie, especially Colin Firth, Michael Cain, Samuel L. Jackson, and the others.  Samuel L. Jackson was terrific in the part of the bad guy.  I thought the writing was crisp and well-thought-out.  The action scenes were amazing.  The stunt guys really earned their pay in this one.  

I gave this movie 3 out of 4 stars.  

Fifty Shades Of Grey

This movie is based off of the first of a trilogy written by E.L. James.  Anastasia (Ana) Steele, played by Dakota Johnson, is a soon to be college graduate majoring in Literature.  Her roommate Kate (played by Eloise Mumford) has arranged an interview with millionaire Christian Grey who is played by Jamie Dornan and is strikingly handsome.  However Kate becomes ill and asks Ana to go in her place.

Ana meets Christian as arranged and finds she is attracted to him.  After the interview is complete, he surprisingly shows up at the hardware store where she works.  Before their romance can go far, Christian has Ana sign a non-disclosure agreement and then lets Ana in on his secrets in his world of lovemaking. 

Christian’s world is far different than Ana’s and she finds she is unable to resist him.  She soon realizes she is fighting for her independence and wants more from their relationship.

I’m told this movie follows the book pretty well.  It will appeal to couples and women.  The acting in this movie could have been better but it wasn’t awful.  This is definitely not a movie for everyone but it is pretty good.   

I gave this movie 3 out of 4 stars.

Seventh Son

Jeff Bridges plays the part of Master Gregory who is a knight in an order known as the Spooks.  Master Gregory has imprisoned an evil witch named Mother Malkin who was played by Julianne Moore.  Ben Barnes plays Tom Ward who is the seventh son of the seventh son and is destined to join the Spooks order. 

Tom often has visions of Master Gregory and a girl he has never met.  Master Gregory shows up at his door and Tom realizes that he must leave with him.  Before he leaves, his mother, played by Olivia Williams, gives him her necklace that he is to wear at all times to ensure his safety.

Tom becomes the apprentice of Master Gregory and soon meets the unknown girl from his dreams, Alicia (Alice Dean).  They become close but Tom does not realize that Alicia has ties to Mother Malkin.  Mother Malkin has escaped and it is up to Tom and Master Gregory to save the world from her evil treachery. 

The scenery in this movie was terrific as it fit in well with the storyline.  Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore were terrific as was the other cast.  The acting carried the movie because the storyline was a little weak and slow.  I still gave this movie 2 ½ out of 4 stars.  

Oscar Picks

My choices are listed in the order I would pick them.

Best Movie

1. Birdman – I think this is the best movie Michael Keaton has made. 
2. American Sniper – This was a very close second to Birdman.  It was fantastic.
3. Boyhood – The idea behind the filming of this movie over the life of a boy was unique.  The fact that all the stars committed to all of the time it took to film, was amazing.  

Best Leading Actor

1. Michael Keaton in Birdman – Again,  I believe this was his finest movie yet.  His portrayal was amazing.  I liked the fact that he was a former superhero (like Batman).  It was a wonderful execution of the role of Birdman. 
2. Bradley Cooper in American Sniper – This was a perfect performance and also worthy of the number one spot.
3. Eddie Redmayne in The Theory of Everything – He was magnificent in a part that had to be difficult to play.

Best Leading Actress

1. Julianne Moore in Still Alice – She is terrific in any role she plays.
2. Felicity Jones in The Theory of Everything – I thought her part, which was opposite of Eddie Redmayne, was outstanding.
3. Rosamund Pike  in Gone Girl – I thought her performance was one of the best of the year and close to the top.

Best Supporting Actor

1. J.K. Simmons in Whiplash – He is an absolutely terrific actor  - always has been and always will be.
2. Robert Duvall in The Judge – He may be getting older but can still give a great performance.
3. Ethan Hawke  in Boyhood – He played the father and was fantastic.

Best Supporting Actress

1. Patricia Arquette in Boyhood – She was unbelievably terrific.
2. Emma Stone  in Birdman – She played the Birdman’s daughter and nailed the part.
3. Meryl Streep in Into the Woods – Here we go again for her.  She’s always at the top.

Best Animated Feature Film

1. Big Hero 6 – The animation in this movie was some of the best I have seen.  The scenes seemed almost real.
2. The Boxtrolls – This movie was quite good.
3. How to Train Your Dragon 2 – This was a good family movie

Best Director

1. Alejandro G. Inarritu in Birdman – How many times can I say how much I loved this movie.
2. Richard Linklater in Boyhood – Again the idea behind this was unbelievably fantastic
3. Bennett Miller in Foxcatcher – Terrific directing.

Best Horror Films (even though this is not a category I love them)

1. Deliver Us From Evil – This had a great story line.
2. Oculus – This movie was very suspenseful.
3. Ouiji – Just enjoyable.

Best Not Nominated

1. Robert Downey Jr. should have been nominated for an Oscar for his part in The Judge.
2. Clint Eastwood should have been nominated for best director in American Sniper.
3. Ben Affleck should have been nominated for his role in Gone Girl.
4. Guardians of the Galaxy should have received nominations for Best Picture.
5. If I Stay is another movie that should have received nominations.
6. Keira Knightley should have been nominated for her role in Begin Again.
7. Mark Ruffalo should have been nominated for his role in Begin Again.