"Mad Max: Fury Road" Review: Beyond Thunderdumb

"Wait a minute. Didn't I wear something like this in 'The Dark Knight Rises'"?

Wow, the "Mad Max" reboot is dumb.

And fun. Let's not forget fun. Lots of action - crashes, special effects, things blowing up, etc. If that's what entertains you during Summer Blockbuster Season, then go see "Mad Max: Fury Road" and you won't be disappointed. You get two hours of nearly non-stop, heart-pounding, adrenalin-fueled ... dumbness.

The plot is simple. A one-armed Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) is on a mission to lead a small band of escapees from the hellish Citadel as they search for The Promised Land (called The Green Place). Along the way, she forges an uneasy alliance with Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy).

'Ex Machina' Review: I Robot, You Jane?

A pretty face (Alicia Vikander as Ava) is only part of the story in "Ex Machina."

A funny thing happened on the way to Sci Fi Blockbuster Season - a movie that is definitely worth your time hit theaters to little acclaim.

If you've been overwhelmed by the publicity and rumors surrounding "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Mad Max: Fury Road," "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," "Terminator: Genisys," "Tomorrowland," "Fantastic Four," "Ant-Man" and a certain superhero movie that doesn't come out for nearly another year (we're looking at you, Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne), you may have missed the artistic and critical success that is "Ex Machina."

No, the future of all humanity is not at risk (not yet, anyway).

No, you're not going to witness spandex-clad heroes battling armies of high-tech warriors (although artificial intelligence is the centerpiece of the plot).

Instead, "Ex Machinia" is smartly written, well-acted and edgy. In other words, it's an actual Movie rather than an Event.

Chappie - Film Review with Spoilers

Chappie

Movie Review

By Ken Parker

Spoilers

Being a fan of sci-fi, I have followed Neill Blomkamp' work, including his short subjects and absolutely love the look of his films. His 'realistic' look which often includes a poverty stricken Johannesburg contrasted with high tech weapons and technology, adds an unique signature to his films that people may either love or hate. The contrast of worker class and rich society was visualized in Elysium but has been present in all his films. His other themes include the alienation of different individuals, oppression and lack of communication. His latest movie Chappie has some interesting elements that make it different than his other films.

'Birdman' Review: Look! Up in the Sky! It's ... uh, Well ... We're Not Entirely Sure But It Soars

Michael Keaton is haunted by his alter ego in "Birdman."

I am old enough to have seen Christopher Reeve's debut as Superman in 1978 in a theater on opening weekend. I attended a Saturday matinee with several college friends while nursing perhaps the worst hangover of my life following a fraternity party the night before.

What does this have to do with "Birdman"? Well, I recall that one of the taglines for "Superman" was "You'll believe a man can fly." In the case of Michael Keaton's latest film, a tagline for "Birdman" might be "You'll believe a man can ... um ... levitate? Fly? Move objects simply by pointing at them? Hear voices in his head?" All of these things? None of these things?

And therein lies some of the beauty behind a movie subtitled "The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance." Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu has deftly crafted a film that offers its viewers their own alternative storylines. Is Keaton simply playing a washed-up actor looking for relevance? Or is he something more as he seemingly soars above the streets of New York City? Where is the real story taking place? You decide.

Yes, some mild spoilers are ahead.

Coherence Movie Review - Mind Boggling and Creepy

By Ken Parker

This review will be broken up into two parts, a non spoiler review and then a spoiler heavy review. By all means read the first part but do NOT read the last part if you have not seen the film. This is one of those films that needs to be seen without any spoilers.

This low budget independent movie is one of those films that doesn't come out in wide release and you probably don't even hear about it until you see a review or someone mentions it at some point down the line. Coherence is a film that is such a simple idea and yet so genius at the same time.

A group of friends gather together for a night of wine and food. These friends have a long history together and the usual personality clashes and connections that you expect. Everything seems fairly normal but it isn't. A cracked phone and the power going out in the neighborhood are only the beginning. The presence of a passing comet seems to be related to a few strange happenings or at least the paranoia of the friends. While breaking out the candles and glow sticks, the group notices a house a down the street with its lights on. Why don't they go check it out?

Spoilers toward the end of the review

Guardians of the Galaxy Movie Review - NO SPOILERS

We have a guest reviewer today with his insights of the new Marvel movie, Guardians of the Galaxy.


I AM GROOT!


Thank you for that in depth review Groot.

I have to agree that the film is highly enjoyable and uplifting to the Nth degree.  The film certainly lives up to the expectations and feelings that other reviewers have noted of being reminded of their childhood and comparing to films that they absolutely fell in love with when they were kids.  The film is not so tied into the Marvel Universe that you have to know what is going on.  You can enjoy it no matter what.  Also I was surprised on how little connection to the existing Marvel story line exists.  Still, if you want to find out more background information there is a great list that you can read before or after watching the film that will help explain some things.

http://observationdeck.io9.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-guardians-of-the-galaxy-ac-1613750995

I also agree with Groot that the film stands on its own but it is good to see some of that connection with the appearance of Thanos and the talk of the Infinity Stones.  Beyond that the film has great action, music and excellent characters that unlike The Avengers, had only one movie and two hours to develop.  The chemistry and character interaction is excellent throughout the film and like all good films, is front and center no matter what is going on.  Everything is from
effects to editing is certainly up to what we would expect from a Marvel product.

Groot certainly feels that a sequel is warranted and yes, there is one planned for 2017.  The film leaves you wanting to see more of these characters, even the bad guys.  Just a related note, as this is a Doctor Who blog site, Karen Gillan was excellent in the part of Nebula in this movie.  In the past I have criticized some of her acting in Doctor Who but she certainly came through in this movie and it is good to see a Doctor Who alumni make the big time.

I won't go into any further detail of the film, Groot did this so elegantly, but the film has so much to offer and its universe is so well realized that it reminds me of the original Star Wars in its scope.  Not to say Guardians is as good as Star Wars but it reminded me of that same feeling of watching that film.  That is very awesome!!  It is a film that I want to see again right away and for me, that is rare these days.

Thank you Groot for that review.

"Winter Soldier" review: Captain America learns some cold facts about modern life

The sky is falling!

In "Captain America: The First Avenger," Steve Rogers had an easy time spotting the bad guys - they wore swastikas on their sleeves.

In "The Avengers," they were even easier to identify - they were space aliens, falling out of the sky.

But in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," Rogers learns that his world is red, white, blue and gray - lots and lots of gray.

Christopher Evans is back as Cap, the thawed-out World War II hero still trying to find his place in the 21st century. As the story unfolds, he is more conflicted than ever. Some of his closest friends are not what they seem. This includes his co-workers at S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson). Even the girl next door - literally - has secrets.

Captain America does his best to keep it simple. When Sam Wilson (recognize the name, comic book fans?) asks, "How do we tell the good guys from the bad guys?" he replies, "If they're shooting at you, they're bad guys."

Amid all the-enemy-of-my-enemy-is-my-friend-unless-he's-my-enemy's-friend confusion, "Winter Soldier" delivers in all the ways you would expect. The action sequences are outstanding, particularly the one-on-one (or one-on-a-dozen) fight scenes. And very large objects are blown up in very big ways (perhaps to the point of overkill, but that's what we've come to expect from Hollywood).

The plot is a trifle convoluted - Hydra has raised its ugly heads again - and in the context of the Marvel Universe, perhaps a little hard to believe for devoted fans. Sorry, no details/spoilers. Nope, not even a hint to the identity of the title character, a feared assassin, either.

True to the formula of the Avengers-related movies, "Winter Soldier" provides a good dose of humor, too. When Black Widow asks Steve Rogers if he had a fun Saturday night, he replies, "Well; all the guys in my barbershop quarter are dead. So no, not really." There's the obligatory Stan Lee scene. And stay through the credits for two extra scenes. Please note that I said "two."

"Winter Soldier" takes aim at a winning formula and hits the target.

Gravity Review (some mild spoilers)

By Ken Parker

If you are getting sick of reading movie reviews that praise Gravity then here is yet another one. I will try to remain spoiler free but I believe it is very hard to do with this movie because there is so much in this film that is so important.

Spoilers

Kick-Ass 2 Movie Review (Some Spoilers)

Review by Ken Parker

I really enjoyed the first Kick-Ass movie mostly for it's originality and its messages about being a superhero and being a good person... or at least stand for good. Elements of humor, action and drama were mixed beautifully in one of the biggest surprises for me at the theater in 2010. I have since watched the film numerous times and hoped the sequel would continue the story and capture at least some of what the first one was.

Did it??

Some mild spoilers

Cloud Atlas Movie Review (Some Spoilers)

Cloud Atlas Review

By Ken Parker

You have probably heard about this movie. You have heard terms such as “mess”, “long” “ambitious”, unique”, “confusing” and “flop”. The variety of reviews that I have read place this movie on opposite sides of the spectrum stating that it is a life changing film and an incredible cinematic experience to an overcomplicated muddled disaster of a film. Back earlier this year I read the Cloud Atlas book written by David Mitchell, after hearing good things about it. At the time I knew little about the movie being produced although I think I knew there was one in the works. The book was very entertaining and thought provoking and I reviewed it here.

I had trouble believing that the book could be made into a movie in the first place. I felt the movie would have to be 8 hours long or make no sense at all. The filmmakers compromised and made a 2 hour 44 min film that makes some sense.

Lockout, science fiction action movie

Title: Lockout
Alternate Title: MS One: Maximum Security
Genre: science fiction action
Release year: 2012
Directed by: James Mather and Stephen St. Leger
Written by: James Mather, Stephen St. Leger, and Luc Besson
Starring: Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Vincent Regan, Joseph Gilgun, Lennie James, and Peter Stormare
Rated: PG-13

From the back of the box: Luc Besson presents this futuristic thriller about a renegade CIA agent Snow who is betrayed by his government and sentenced to 30 years frozen in a cryonic chamber 50 miles above Earth. The only way to avoid serving time is a suicide mission -- overcome a gang of ruthless prisoners and rescue the President's daughter, Emilie Warnock.

Total Recall - Movie Review (Mild Spoilers)

While waiting for a really good sci-fi movie to appear this year (Prometheus was good and John Carter was okay) I decided to be a bit optimistic and put Total Recall into that category of excellent Sci-fi movies.  Despite some dire reviews, I hoped that maybe the film would have an intelligent story and perhaps the reviewers were just missing Arnie.

Abraham Lincoln – Vampire Hunter (Minor Spoilers)

Abraham Lincoln – Vampire Hunter

When I went to purchase my ticket for Abraham Lincoln – Vampire Hunter I had a wave of “This is ridiculous” waft over me. Am I really going to see this film. I understand it is a popular book and it has its fans but am I really seeing a film like this? I then shook off that feeling and went make to my movie fan personae. I was about ready to see an alternate reality type historical movie with plenty of action and gore. I would also see director Timur Bekmambetov and his masterful use of slow motion and visuals to tell this unbelievable story.

Another Earth - Review (Spoilers)

Imagine a duplicate Earth appearing in our skies.  The same people live on that Earth.  Imagine you had an opportunity to visit this Earth 2. What would you say to yourself?

Spoilers

The Thing vs. The Thing - 2011 vs 1982 (Mild Spoilers)

Is The Thing (2011) a worthy prequel to the 1982 The Thing and is it a movie that will potentially kick off the franchise into the next decade? Well, I am not so sure about that....

Mild Spoilers with heavier spoilers marked toward the end....

Fright Night (2011) - Movie Review

This movie held only a borderline interest for me going into last week. Having David Tennant wasn't a reason for me to see this and certainly being a remake wasn't incentive either. The original was excellent and so this movie had a lot to live up to.