The Giver

Usually Meryl Streep movies are wonderful.  I thought The Giver was not so much.  It also stars the great Jeff Bridges.  Taylor Swift also had a role in this film but it was only for a brief second. I kept waiting for the movie to catch momentum but it never happened. 

Everyone is comparing this movie with Divergent and the idea was similar.  However, I loved Divergent and did not enjoy The Giver.  There was just nothing to hang on to in this film.  After about 30 minutes, I was totally bored and uninterested with everything in this uninspired movie.

I just felt that this movie was not worth anyone’s time.  I gave this movie 1 out of 4 stars.

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

First of all, I loved the first Sin City movie.  The second Sin City was visually spectacular as was the first but had better action.  Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Eva Green, and Rosario Dawson are all great actors but not so much in this movie. 

As far as the storyline goes, it was written by the great Frank Miller and I was stunned because the movie did not hold up to the high praise that I usually give a Frank Miller movie.   Besides writing the first Sin City, he also wrote all three of the Dark Knight movies.  However, he fell short with this one.  I think director Robert Rodriguez gave him a little bit more freedom than he was actually ready for.   

I gave this movie two stars because I thought it lacked substance despite the well-known actors, writer, and director and the visual effects.

Muppets Most Wanted

During a world-wide tour, the Muppets become entangled into a crime caper masterminded by a dead-ringer of Kermit the Frog. 

I enjoyed this movie a lot but I didn’t like it as much as the first Muppets movie.  There were some high points and some spots that didn’t go anywhere.  This was still a terrific movie and I rated it 3 out of 4 stars.

Blended

Adam Sandler plays a father who lost his wife and is raising three young daughters.  Drew Barrymore is divorced and is raising two sons.  They go on a date and don’t seem to hit it off.  But they end up in Africa with all of their kids after they received a discount from Adam Sandler’s boss to go here on vacation.  

Both Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore were again together in a terrific film as they were in 50 First Dates and The Wedding Singer.   This movie was just as good as the others.  I loved every second of this movie and gave it 3 ½ out of 4 stars. 

If I Stay

Bring some Kleenex when going to see this movie.  Chloe Grace Moretz plays Mia, a teenage girl who is a wonderful cellist.  She meets Adam (Jamie Blackley) who is the lead singer and rising star in a rock band. 

Adam begins to hang out watching Mia play the cello and finally asks her out.   Their relationship grows stronger and stronger through all of the challenges they face.  Mia applies to go to Juliard and is accepted. However, Mia and Adam live in Portland, Oregon and Juliard is clear across the country.  This causes a huge argument but they eventually make it through this as well. 

This movie was highly emotional, but I loved every minute of this terrific movie.  I believe that Chloe Grace Moretz is one of the best young actresses working today.  I also very much liked Jamie Blackley.  The performance by these two was a strong point in the entire movie.  Stacy Keach had a small part as Mia’s grandfather and he was fantastic as well.  All of the characters were terrific.  I highly recommend that you go to this movie but don’t forget the Kleenex.  I gave this movie 3 out of 4 stars. 

When the Game Stands Tall

Jim Caviezel plays Coach Bob Ladouceur who is one of the most successful high school football coaches ever.  His team, the De La Salle Spartans,   had a 151 game winning streak.   Of course like all good things, the streak comes to an end.  

Before the season begins, the coach has a heart attack that sidelines him from coaching through Spring practice.  The season is to be his son’s senior year.  This illness puts a strain between father and son.  The team also must face the death of one of the past season’s best players and must learn what it means to be a true team in order to continue their reign as champions.

I thought that Jim Caviezel stepped into this role and really nailed the part.   His relationship with his wife, played by Laura Dern, gets stronger as the movie goes on.  The entire cast was strong as well.  I enjoyed watching each actor in their role.  I enjoy watching football but something about this De La Salle football team really got me into the game.  Maybe someday KU will hire Coach Ladouceur as their next coach.  Who knows, it’s always a possibility.  I rate this movie 4 out of 4 stars.