Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Year: 2015

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson

Director: Joss Whedon

My Review: Writing credits go to several people. Joss Whedon gets credit for the Screenplay. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby get credit for the Marvel Comics. Joe Simon and Jack Kirby get credit for the Captain America character. Jim Starlin gets credit for the Thanos character. Directed by Joss Whedon (Serenity, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, The Avengers, Firefly TV series (3x episodes), Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series (22x episodes). Starring Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk, Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America, Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton/Hawkeye and many others. It's another blow out massive battle to save mankind from total destruction. Isn't that the same plot as all the other Avengers movies? How is it that I never grew tired of the plot when I was a kid? (reading the comics). In this 'episode' of the Avengers Tony Stark and Bruce Banner tinker with a mothballed peacekeeping program called Ultron - They screw things up, unleashing a genocidal robot called Ultron. The robot's goal? The extinction of all humans. Who will protect us? The Avengers (of course). Thrown into the mix are a couple of good guys turned bad. The Scarlett Witch and Quicksilver - Wait I'm confused. I remember both characters. They were brother and sister - If I remember correctly, and their history was always a bit confusing. Bad guys turned good guys. Here they start out as adversaries… Anyway, it's another Avengers movie. As the sequel to the original, this movie was destined to fail (in comparison). It's got an enormous cast, and there's more fighting than thinking. If that's your thing then you'll enjoy this movie. There's a lot of time taken to do character development and little sub-plots, so that distracts from the main story line. Thankfully Joss Whedon manages the enormous cast in a way that gives each the opportunity to be 'in character'. Kim and I saw this movie in the theater - in RealD-3D, so that was fun. Overall, the movie is worth watching. Definitely entertaining, everything you'd expect from a summer block-buster action flick. 3 out of 5.

Summary: Tony Stark creates the Ultron Program to protect the world, but when the peacekeeping program becomes hostile, The Avengers go into action to try and defeat a virtually impossible enemy together. Earth's mightiest heroes must come together once again to protect the world from global extinction.

Genre: Drama, History, War

Year: 2001

Country: Ireland, UK, France, Germany, USA

Rating:

Starring: Jude Law, Ed Harris, Rachel Weisz, Joseph Fiennes, Bob Hoskins

Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud

My Review: Written by Jean-Jacques Annaud and Alain Godard. Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud (Quest for Fire, The Name of the Rose, Seven Years in Tibet). Starring Jude Law, Ed Harris, Joseph Fiennes and many others. A historically based drama which features a Russian and German sniper who duel each other during the Battle of Stalingrad (1942-1943). Germans and Russians are fighting in the streets of Stalingrad. The urban conflict makes perfect cover for snipers and one such soldier is Vassili Zaitsev (Played by Jude Law). While he's systematically picking off German troops, the soviet propaganda machine uses his exploits to spur their countrymen to defeat the Germans. To counter his surgical attack on their efforts, the Germans send in one of their best - Major Konig (played by Ed Harris) is sent in to end this reign of terror so that the Germans can once and for all conquer this soviet enclave. One can clearly see that the movie doesn't feature actual Russians or Germans. The speech, mannerisms and period work was barely acceptable, despite the well produced aspects of the movie. Set design, decoration, costumes. The portrayal of these two adversaries paints war in a romantic frame, along with the love story that's woven into the script. There were plenty of historical touches, and great effort was expended to make this move seem very realistic. Despite the fact that it may not have done justice to the historical and sociological aspects of war on the Eastern Front, it was a very entertaining movie. The action really does boil down the entire battle for Stalingrad into a tense and dramatic contest of wills between two hunters. I really enjoyed the script, the dialog and the direction. I give this movie a 5 out of 5.

Summary: In World War II, the fall of Stalingrad will mean the collapse of the whole country. The Germans and Russians are fighting over every block, leaving only ruins behind. The Russian sniper Vassili Zaitsev stalks the Germans, taking them out one by one, thus hurting the morale of the German troops. The political officer Danilov leads him on, publishing his efforts to give his countrymen some hope. But Vassili eventually starts to feel that he can not live up to the expectations on him. He and Danilov fall in love with the same girl, Tanya, a female soldier. From Germany comes the master sniper König to put an end to the extraordinary skilled Russian sniper.

Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Year: 2012

Country: Germany, USA

Rating:

Starring: Michael Eklund, Karoline Herfurth, Tómas Lemarquis, Rik Mayall, Caroline Gerdolle

Director: Eron Sheean

My Review: Co-written and directed by Eron Sheean (First feature length directorial debut). Starring Michael Eklund, Karoline Herfurth, Tomas Lemarquis and others. The movie is a medical thriller set in Germany. In this movie, Dr. Geoff Burton (played by Michael Eklund) is hired to a position at a renowned genetics lab. The American geneticist is the newest member of a team working on a top-secret cellular regeneration project. His personal tragedy is the subject of the study and the focus of a conspiracy within the walls of the lab. The winter-time setting in Dresden, Germany helps to set the mood in this sci-fi, medical drama. The movie clearly focuses more on the interpersonal drama between the characters, rather than the sci-fi aspects of the genetic modification the team is engaged in. The best part of the movie is its accurate production and depiction of a genetics research venue. The inclusion of oddball characters only detracts from the focus of the story. As the movie progresses it loses focus. The initial set-up and setting are well done, but the movie begins to deteriorate towards the end. The defects begin to add up, and reflect poorly on the climax of the movie. As a viewer, I began to lose focus of what was going on, or why I should care. As the characters seemed to lack clear focus and began to acquire cliched traits I stopped caring, and ultimately couldn't care what the outcome of the movie was. I give this a 2 out of 5.

Summary: Seeking a new laboratory to pursue his controversial genetic research, Dr Geoff Burton takes up a position at the world-renowned Institute for Molecular Cell Biology & Genetics in wintry Dresden, Germany. His contribution to their most top-secret project - a human regeneration gene - has the potential to make something miraculous out of a personal tragedy that has haunted him for years. But when he uncovers a conspiracy amongst his colleagues, he finds instead something quite different: a terrifying new virus, with potentially devastating consequences for humanity - and for Geoff, who is not only its first victim, but its unwitting source.

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Year: 2010

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Rachel McAdams, Noah Bean, Jack Davidson, Vanessa Aspillaga, Jeff Hiller

Director: Roger Michell

My Review: Written by Aline Brosh McKenna. Directed by Roger Michell (Notting Hill, Venus, Hyde Park on Hudson). Starring Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton and others. Rachel McAdams plays Becky, a hard-working show runner (producer) for a morning program - Until she got fired. Looking for a new job, she's interviewed for a new show called 'Daybreak'. The new job is definitely challenging. Maybe more so than she's cut out for. Dealing with all the prima-donna personalities associated with this morning show is a struggle. Getting people to do their jobs can be difficult, I know what that's like. Then of course there's the added complication of a work-place romance. Becky is a beacon of hope for this organization, but they haven't got any idea how desperately they need her. It's a comedy with serious dramatic workplace underpinnings. Getting this show out of the bottom rung is no easy task, and Becky does her best to drag the show (by the hair of it's temperamental co-stars) into a higher ratings slot. You can't help but cheer for Becky as she does battle with all the different personalities at the studio. The cast does a great job portraying the various characters, but the story itself was boring. I give this movie a 3 out of 5.

Summary: Becky (Rachel McAdams) is a hard-working morning TV show producer, or at least she was until she got fired. Desperate to get a job, she finally gets an interview with Jerry (Jeff Goldblum) - who is desperate to hire a producer for the struggling show "Daybreak". Becky accepts the job and it proves to be more difficult than even she might be able to handle. She has to fire the sexist co-host, then try to convince egotistical news reporter, Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford), to take the job, and then try and get him to actually do the job, properly. And she has to do this while falling for handsome Adam (Patrick Wilson), and trying to save the show from plummeting ratings. Will Becky be able to hold on to her dream job and her sanity?

Genre: Action, Drama

Year: 2010

Country: Norway, France, Sweden, Poland

Rating:

Starring: Benjamin Helstad, Trond Nilssen, Stellan Skarsgård, Kristoffer Joner, Magnus Langlete

Director: Marius Holst

My Review: Screenplay written by Dennis Magnusson and Eric Schmid. Directed by Marius Holst (Norwegian producer/director with 7 credits (as of Jul, 2019)). Starring Benjamin Helstad, Trond Nilssen, Stellan Skarsgard and others. The movie is based on a true story. It's set in Norway, in 1915, on the remote island of Bastoy, at a home for delinquent boys. It's winter, the sun has forsaken the young men and boys of Bastoy island. They are left to the devices of sadistic men with a twisted ideal of discipline and their own sins. There's really no attempt at healing, understanding or acceptance. It's basically a labor camp. One day a new resident arrives - 17 Year old Erling. He will not be subjected to the slavery and abuse. He will escape! What price will be paid? Who will go with him? Technically it was a flawless production. The acting by Stellan Skarsgard and this relatively unknown cast was exceptional. A very powerful drama with excellent chemistry between characters and actors. Its only drawback was the dark subject matter, and continual sense of dread one experiences while watching the movie. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Summary: Based on a true story: Norwegian winter, early 20th century. On the island Bastoy, located in the Oslo fjord live a group of delinquent, young boys aged 11 to 18. The boys daily, sadistic regime is run by the guards and the principal who bestow both mental and physical abuse on them. Instead of the boys being straightened out with education they end up being used as cheap, manual labor. The boys attempt to survive by adapting to their inhumane conditions. One day a new boy, Erling (17), arrives with his own agenda; how to escape from the island. How far is he willing to go in order to get his freedom?

Genre: Action, Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi

Year: 2015

Country: USA, Spain, France, UK

Rating:

Starring: George Clooney, Hugh Laurie, Britt Robertson, Raffey Cassidy, Tim McGraw

Director: Brad Bird

My Review: Directed by Brad Bird (The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol). Starring George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie and many others. I remember looking forward to this movie, and I had completely forgotten how much I enjoyed it. I just added it to my 'Wish List', and I'm actually thinking of watching it again this weekend. I completely forgot how much I enjoyed it - What an adventure. Britt Robertson (playing Casey Newton) and Raffey Cassidy (playing Athena the robot) were fresh and surprising in their roles, and that really made the movie. Casey and Athena embark on a truly astonishing, dangerous, thrilling adventure with Frank Walker (played by George Clooney) the oddball inventor. The trio is whisked away from our troublesome present to an uncertain place in time and space. The characters in this story pull us along on an incredible journey to 'Tommorowland'. It's a family friendly adventure, filled with a sense of awe, wonder and a little bit of danger. The visuals are quite stunning and the enthusiastic acting really helped to make this movie more than I had hoped for. I really liked the retro, sci-fi, futuristic technology depicted in the movie. The story itself was a bit simple and a bit of a roller-coaster ride to a somewhat predictable outcome, but the ride sure was fun. Speaking of 'ride' - I think that the movie itself may have been based upon the 'Tommorowland' ride at Disneyland? The pacing was quick but there was some time for character based drama. Thank you Disney - Thank you for making an upbeat movie about the future that fills us with wonder and imagination. 5 out of 5.

Summary: Bound by a shared destiny, a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity and a former boy-genius inventor jaded by disillusionment embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space that exists in their collective memory as "Tomorrowland."

Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Year: 2001

Country: USA, UK, Italy

Rating:

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman, Ray Liotta, Frankie Faison

Director: Ridley Scott

My Review: Screenplay by David Mamet and Steven Zaillian, based upon a novel (same name) by Thomas Harris. Directed by Ridley Scott (Alien, Black Rain, Blade Runner, Gladiator, The Martian). Starring Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman and others. This is the sequel to 'Silence of the Lambs'. There were four Hannibal Lecter novels. The first was Silence of the Lambs, this is the sequel, and there are two prequels: Red Dragon and Hannibal Rising. All four films (the quadrilogy) are based upon books of the same name. This one, like it's predecessor, stars Anthony Hopkins in the lead role as Dr. Hannibal Lecter. A brilliant and respected psychiatrist, who is also a cunning and charismatic pscyho-killer! Also known as the 'Chesapeake Ripper', Dr. Lecter is on the run, in hiding in Italy. As he reconnects with the now disgraced FBI Agent Clarice (Played by Julianne Moore/not Jodi Foster), he puts himself in jeopardy from a former victim (played by Gary Oldman). This is the final film in the quadrilogy, and one really should watch them in proper order: Hannibal Rising, Red Dragon, The Silence of the Lambs, and then Hannibal. Unfortunately, the books, and the movies were not filmed/released in this order. Actually, I don't believe I've seen all the movies. I guess I could put all the movies in my Netflix disc queue… (That wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be - I added Hannibal Rising and Red Dragon to my Netflix disc queue, and I own Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal - So now I can watch them all in order). Back to the movie. In this movie, Ridley Scott creates an film soaking in dread - The character of Hannibal Lecter is played perfectly by Anthony Hopkins and the tense pace of the movie keeps us in suspense as the victims hunt the hunter in this shocking finale to the story of Hannibal Lecter the cannibal. The most sympathetic character in the movie - Italian Inspector Rinaldo Pazzi, is played by Giancarlo Giannini. The casting was brilliant and the characters unforgettable, thanks to the outstanding performances by all involved. The ugly characters and character of the movie is offset by the beautiful location/setting of Florence, Italy. An excellent movie to say the least. My only reservations come from the horrific climax of the movie - which is totally in keeping with the character of the primary character, but nonetheless makes the movie difficult to watch and will haunt you for days afterwards. I give this movie a 4 out of 5.

Summary: The final chapter of the Dr. Hannibal Lecter quadrilogy, the murdering cannibal. He is presently in Italy, and works as a curator at a museum. Clarice Starling (Julianne Moore), the F.B.I. Agent who he aided to apprehend a serial killer, was placed in charge of an operation, but when one of her men botches it, she's called to the mat by the Bureau. One high ranking official, Paul Krendler (Ray Liotta) has it in for her. But she gets a reprieve because Mason Verger (Gary Oldman), one of Lecter's victims who is looking to get back at Lecter for what Lecter did to him, wants to use Starling to lure him out. When Lecter sends her a note, she learns that he's in Italy, so she asks the Police to keep an eye out for him. But a corrupt Policeman, who wants to get the reward that Verger placed on him, tells Verger where he is, but they fail to get him. Later, Verger decides to frame Starling, which makes Lecter return to the U.S., and the race to get Lecter begins.

Genre: Biography, Drama

Year: 2011

Country: UK, USA

Rating:

Starring: Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Julia Ormond, Kenneth Branagh, Pip Torrens

Director: Simon Curtis

My Review: Screenplay by Adrian Hodges, based upon books of Colin Clark. Directed by Simon Curtis (Best known for TV movies and series, this is his first feature film). Starring Michelle Williams (as Marilyn Monroe), Eddie Redmayne (as Colin Clark), Kenneth Branagh (as Sir Laurence Olvier) and many others. This movie is a dramatic depiction of one man's memories. From the novels of Colin Clark comes a tale of Marilyn Monroe. Laurence Olivier is cast in a movie, with Marilyn Monroe. The two aren't getting along all that well; or they're getting along as well as two big hollywood stars can get along. A young film student named Colin Clark is captivated by, captured by, and has an 'affair' with the blonde actress. He's unassuming, unattached and scandal free. Marilyn Monroe is struggling to achieve and meet the expectations of her public, her costar, the director and herself. It's a movie about the characters and their inner struggles. How they perceive themselves, how the public perceives them, how they perceive each other. The acting was good (Michelle Williams was excellent, Eddie Redmayne not as good), the movie flowed well, but it seem a bit overdone. As if the writers and directors felt compelled to depict every possible emotion and motivation the characters might have had. The script uses to much exposition, and the situations a bit contrived. I give this movie a 3 out of 5.

Summary: Sir Laurence Olivier is making a movie in London. Young Colin Clark, an eager film student, wants to be involved and he navigates himself a job on the set. When movie star Marilyn Monroe arrives for the start of shooting, all of London is excited to see the blonde bombshell, while Olivier is struggling to meet her many demands and acting ineptness, and Colin is intrigued by her. Colin's intrigue is met when Marilyn invites him into her inner world where she struggles with her fame, her beauty, and her desire to be a great actress.

Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama

Year: 2001

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: David Spade, Brittany Daniel, Dennis Miller, Adam Beach, Christopher Walken

Director: Dennie Gordon

My Review: Written by David Spade and Fred Wolf. Directed by Dennie Gordon (Best known for television shows, this was her feature film debut). Starring David Spade, Brittany Daniel, Dennis Miller and others. This is an odd movie, it's narrated from the beginning to end - It's the story of Joe Dirt. Dennis Miller plays Zander Kelly, a morning show DJ at a local radio station, when he 'Discovers' the subject of his next bio-show. David Spade plays 'Joe Dirt' (Pronounced 'Deer-Tay'). Joe's tale is one of woe, survival and strength. Joe was separated from his parents during a childhood visit to the Grand Canyon. He's been searching for them ever since - This is the story of Joe's journey. Either you like those really Dumb movies or you don't. I liked this one. Joe Dirt is a character who deserves your pity. A story which will keep you watching, despite the poor acting and corny gags. A SNL comedy with heart. Christopher Walken even makes an appearance as a dancing janitor in the witness protection program. It makes me laugh. Joe's adversity has done nothing to deter his spirit, and by the end of the trailer-park bashing, Joe becomes the hero and everyone's favorite folk hero. 3 out of 5.

Summary: Joe Dirt is a janitor with a mullet hairdo, acid-washed jeans and a dream to find the parents that he lost at the Grand Canyon when he was a belligerent, trailer park-raised eight-year-old. Now, blasting Van Halen in his jacked-up economy car, the irrepressibly optimistic Joe hits the road alone in search of his folks. As his wandering, misguided search takes him from one hilarious misadventure to another, Joe finds his way to Los Angeles, where a shock-jock brings Joe on his radio show to insult him. But as Joe's life story unfolds, jeers turn to cheers, and an entire captivated city tunes in to hear the adventures of Joe Dirt.

Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Year: 2007

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Kevin Costner, Demi Moore, Dane Cook, William Hurt, Marg Helgenberger

Director: Bruce A. Evans

My Review: Written by Bruce A. Evans and Raynold Gideon. Directed by Bruce A. Evans (Only two films to his credit (as of Jul, 2019)). Starring Kevin Costner, Demi Moore, William Hurt, Dane Cook and others. Kevin Costner plays a well respected business man, who is somehow involved in a series of pre-meditated and unsolved murders. Demi Moore plays the dogged detective who is going to crack the case. The previews of this movie give away way too much of the plot. Try not to watch the previews. It's clever and tense, well produced and well directed. The acting is very good, but the plot is a bit thin. The surprising performance comes from Dane Cook. His performance as a reluctant wanna-be murderer was exceptional. Despite his comedic background, the laughs are few and far between. This is a deadly serious role, and he delivers. This fast paced psychological thriller has all the plot twists and character development you could wish for. Unfortunately, the plot is paper thin, and I saw through it from beginning to end. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: Earl Brooks is a highly respected businessman and was recently named Portland's Man of the Year. He hides a terrible secret however: he is a serial killer known as the Thumbprint Killer. He has been attending AA meetings and has kept his addiction to killing under control for two years now but his alter ego, Marshall, has re-appeared and is pushing him to kill again. When he does kill a couple while they are making love, he is seen and photographed by someone who also has his own death and murder fetish. In a parallel story, the police detective investigating the murder is having problems of her own. She is going through a messy divorce and a violent criminal who had vowed revenge some years before has escaped from prison and is after her.