Annabelle

This movie was based on a true story about a doll named Annabelle who was possessed.  She makes her way into the home of Mia (played coincidentally by Annabelle Wallis).  Crazy and unexplainable things begin to happen in Mia’s household including the death in the night of their neighbors.  Mia’s husband John (Ward Horton), throws the doll in the trash but lo and behold she reappears while Mia is unpacking after they move to a new home. 

This movie had lots of opportunity for gotchas to startle you and make you hide your eyes but it missed out.  I thought the direction of the movie was OK but not great.  The actors were also just average.  I was hoping for a good horror movie that I could get into but it never came about. 

An explanation was provided as to where the doll is today which I liked because it comes from the story the Conjuring.  There were a lot of parts of this movie that didn’t make sense but there were a few high points.  So I gave this movie 2 ½ out of 4 stars.  

Gone Girl

This movie stars Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Carrie Coon, and Tyler Perry.  Ben Affleck plays the role of Nick, who discovers that his wife Amy, played by Rosamund Pike, has gone missing on their fifth wedding anniversary. After returning from the bar he owns with his sister Margo (Carrie Coon), Nick discovers the glass coffee table in the living room broken up and his wife is gone.  After notifying the police, a search party is sent out to look for her.  When Amy is still not found, a press conference is held and later a candlelight vigil.  Soon after Nick discovers he has now become a suspect. 

I thought this movie was outstanding.  David Fincher who directed the movie is one of my favorites.  He also directed Seven which stuck out as wonderful in my mind and Gone Girl will as well.  Fincher doesn’t direct a lot of movies but the one’s he does are fantastic. 

The entire cast including Ben Affleck and Tyler Perry were all tremendous actors.  I enjoyed every second of this movie and it kept me wondering what would happen next.  I feel this movie should be up for future Oscar nominations, especially David Fincher and Ben Affleck (who missed out in Argo in my opinion).  I rated this movie 4 out of 4 stars.  

Chef

John Favreau plays a chef (Carl Casper) who loses his job and goes to Florida with his wife played by Sofia Vergara.  She has business in Florida to attend to so Carl is left responsible for taking care of their son.  Carl then meets her ex-husband played by Robert Downey Jr.  The ex-husband talks Carl into starting a restaurant truck and he agrees to purchase a vehicle that requires a lot of work.  Carl and his son decide to clean up the truck and sell some delicious food to everyone.  I rate this movie 3 ½ out of 4 stars.

Transformers: Age of Extinction

This movie stars the great Mark Wahlberg.  That however didn’t help the lousy story line that made this movie.   The special effects were spectacular but overall this movie had nothing more to add.  Since it starred Mark Wahlberg I had high hopes but the movie fell short.  The movie was directed by Michael Bay who I think should stick to special effects because he isn’t a good director.  I gave this movie 1 out of 4 stars.

The Boxtrolls

I was excited to see this movie and I was not disappointed.  I loved the actors who voiced the movie, which include Ben Kingsley as Archibald Snatcher (the villain of the show), Simon Pegg as Mr. Trubshaw, Elle Fanning as Winnie (the girl who helped out the Boxtrolls), and Isaac Hempstead-Wright as Eggs (the boy who was raised as a Boxtroll). 

The Boxtrolls were a group of creatures who lived under the city.  They were excellent builders who came out at night to scavenge parts for their world.  The people of the city feared the Boxtrolls, so they were in constant danger when they came into the city through the sewer system.

Archibald Snatcher was a wanna-be White Hat.  The White-Hats were a group of men who made all of the decisions concerning the city.  He started a rumor long ago that the Boxtrolls killed Mr. Trubshaw and stole his son.  In truth, Mr. Trubshaw had befriended the Boxtrolls, and he gave his son to them in an effort to save him from the evil Archibald Snatcher. 

I thought this movie was fantastic and loved the characters.  The animation was terrific and I thought each scene got better and better.  I have to give this wonderful movie 3 out of 4 stars.  

The Equalizer

This action-packed movie stars the great Denzel Washington as Robert McCall who is the Equalizer.  The show is based on a TV series that came out in the 80’s that starred Edward Woodward.  This movie is spectacular and outshines the original version. 

Robert is a loner in his personal life working at a local hardware store.  He just wants to work his job but helps out co-workers and acquaintances whenever they are in need.  Chloe Grace Moretz plays an acquaintance named Teri who he knows from the local diner he frequents.  Teri is a hooker whose pimp is a member of the Russian mob.  The mob beats her up and the Equalizer comes to her rescue.  Robert doesn’t realize the long line of criminals that are out to get him after he kills Teri’s handler.  The battle is now on between Robert and the head of the Russian mob. 

The scenes were terrific and I recommend everyone see this movie.  Denzel Washington as usual was excellent in his role.  Chloe Grace Moretz is an up and coming actress also starring in If I Stay.  The rest of the cast was fantastic as well. 

The Equalizer was number one at the box office this last weekend.  If you haven’t seen the movie, take the time.  Don’t bring your kids because it’s rated R so get a baby sitter and enjoy!  I gave this movie 3 ½ out of 4 stars.  

Arrow Season 2

I think that this year is even better than the first.  There is tons of action and I liked the romantic scenes between the characters.  I loved the relationship between Arrow, his mom, and Arrow’s sister.  This really added something special to this completely and utterly amazing TV series.  I gave this series 4 out of 4 stars.