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Archive for July, 2013

In the 1930s, an elderly Tonto tells a young boy the tale of John Reid, the Lone Ranger. An idealistic lawyer, he rides with his brother and fellow Texas Rangers in pursuit of the notorious Butch Cavendish. Ambushed by the outlaw and left for dead, John Reid is rescued by the renegade Comanche, Tonto, at the insistence of a mysterious white horse and offers to help him to bring Cavendish to justice. Becoming a reluctant masked rider with a seemingly incomprehensible partner, Reid pursues the criminal against all obstacles. However, John and Tonto learn that Cavendish is only part of a far greater injustice and the pair must fight it in an adventure that would make them a legend.

This is an “origins” movie. It depicts the circumstances that led to the Texas Ranger becoming the Lone Ranger and how he got hooked up with his partner Tonto. This is a bit distant from our memory of the beginnings of the Lone Ranger. Armie Hammer is a bit more of a comedic than all serious. The movie is reminiscent of the Pirates of the Carribean genre.

It’s a fun movie. It moves quickly so you don’t realize that it is almost 2.5 hours in length. Not a boring minute. Johnny Depp is such a great actor. The part of this Tonto was made for him. Artie Hammer is a great compliment to Depp’s character.

Don’t miss this one on the big screen.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

When the White House (Secret Service Code: “Olympus”) is captured by a terrorist mastermind and the President is kidnapped, disgraced former Presidential guard Mike Banning finds himself trapped within the building. As our national security team scrambles to respond, they are forced to rely on Banning’s inside knowledge to help retake the White House, save the President and avert an even bigger disaster.

This is almost identical to White House Down. In this movie, the President is more presidential and acts more like a leader. Otherwise, it is the sam basic principle. I can’t understand why two similar movies were released at the same time.

Nonetheless it is definitely watchable.

Rating: 3.7 out of 5

United Nations employee Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) traverses the world in a race against time to stop the Zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments, and threatening to destroy humanity itself.

Z is for Zombie. The punch line is to find a way to stop the spread of the virus and not get ravaged by the fastest moving zombies in movie history.

Actually a very interesting and watchable movie. Reminds me a bit of Outbreak in terms of identifying the source and the way to survive in the Zombie nation. By the way, these are the fastest moving zombies I have ever seen.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Although I personally cannot stand Channing Tatum as a real actor, he was ok in this movie. However, this movie would have been even better with Mark Wahlberg or Matt Damon in the leading role. Denzel Washington would have made a much better President than Jamie Foxx.

Capitol Policeman John Cale (Tatum) has just been denied his dream job with the Secret Service of protecting President James Sawyer (Foxx). Not wanting to let down his little girl with the news, he takes her on a tour of the White House, when the complex is overtaken by a heavily armed paramilitary group. Now, with the nation’s government falling into chaos and time running out, it’s up to Cale to save the president, his daughter, and the country.

The  movie clocks in at over two hours and is action packed. If you are interested in reading a lengthy synopsis, check it out at IMDB.com.

Rating: 4.3 out of 5

This is a slightly new take on Superman. Same underlying plot of Krypton about to explode, baby sent in pod to Earth, boy found by farm couple, grows up, develops super powers, tries to keep them hidden, prison escapee from Krypton comes to get him, battle ensues, town destroyed in the battle between the two, Superman wins.

Henry Cavill is probably the best looking Superman we’ve ever seen. He certainly bulked up from his role in The Tudors. My guess is that the studio thought his good looks would make this movie a box office hit. Well, it did draw a good box office, but the moving is extremely slow and boring. The movie could have been shortened by 45 minutes (leaving an hour and 45 minutes run time) and been much better. The first half was much better than the last half. The battle between Zod and Superman near the end lasted way too long, destroyed too many buildings, and was obviously cheap CGI.

Do not bother to see this on the big screen or in 3D. Wait til it come to video and stream it from Netflix.

Rating: 1 out of 5

P.S. If you want to read a synopsis as long and as boring as the movie, check it out at IMDB.com.