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Into the Woods is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales in a musical format that follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel-all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them.

This is a movie adaptation of the Broadway production by Stephen Sondheim. Most of the adaptations have been exceptional, such as Evita, Rent, Mama Mia, and Les Miserables. Mama Mia sucked, but perhaps Into the Woods is Meryl Streep’s redemption. Les Miserables was quite epic except for the apparent strain to sing as the producer recorded it in production rather than dubbing it in from studio vocals.

None the less, Into the Woods made this production more vibrant and enjoyable.

A fantastic production and certainly worth the time if you are into Sondheim and musicals.

Rating: 5 out of 5

This is the last episode in the trilogy of movies Peter Jackson has made from Tolkien’s The Hobbit. Like the Lord of the Rings, the best was saved for last. This is a major action piece. At 2.5 hours, there was not a slow minute in the entire movie. For Hobbit and Ring fans, this is a must see.

Unfortunately we lose some characters we have become attached to, but war is brutal.

Rating: 4.7 out of 5

For a synopsis with spoilers thanks to IMDB, click ‘read more.’

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If you are intending to see a CGI updated version of the 1957 Charleston Heston, The Ten Commandments, you are in for a big let down. Another Ridley Scott flob. In trying to exploit CGI imagery Scott forgot the story line. Like the recent Noah, this is not the Sunday School version but a secularized, atheistic interpretation. While there is not a great narrative for the Noah story, that of Moses is considerably more detailed in the literature. It was followed true to form in The Ten Commandments, but in this debacle things are out of sequence or there are gaps that one can only assume the viewer can fill in because they are either familiar with the historical text or have at least seen the Ten Commandments. The clear theme that was brought forward was the arrogance of man and his reluctance to believe in or depend on the presence and power of a supreme being. Whereas the Heston Moses did not feel worthy to be the messenger of God, in this plot line, Bale’s Moses felt himself more powerful and more capable than God. Another strange depiction was that of God as a small boy. The cast was cold and apparently had no chemistry or desire to play their character except for the money. It would have been interesting to see if there were a difference had Scott followed the narrative at least sequentially, not omitted sequential events,  and used a more literal interpretation of the narrative rather than trying to imprint his own apparent secularized atheistic interpretation. This is too well know Biblical event.

I was truly amazed at the scathing reviews this movie received from viewers and critics alike. Apparently Scott has hit an all time low in his directing career and perhaps should go on a hiatus or simply retire.

Rating; 0 out of 5

Any time there is a sequel, I cringe. Normally they are the same movie characters and plot, maybe just different location(e.g., The Hangover 1, 2, and 3). They normally have a less effective script line and always leave you in a deja vu situation. Occasionally you have a surprise, but most times, not likely. Sort of makes you wonder why the Jason, Michael Myers, and Freddie Kruger movies were able to be a franchise with sequels in the double digits. One that remained entertaining was the Fast and Furious franchise which was headed toward double digit sequels until the tragic death of Paul Walker.

So it is with Horrible Bosses 2. There is good chemistry between the principles, but the plot is essentially the same. The dialogue is cluttered and headed toward three stooges slapstick. I found this sequel totally inane and boring. So much, in fact, that I dozed off somewhere in the second half of the movie and apparently didn’t miss a thing. You will be better off to see a different movie, take a nap, or anything rather than endure this drivel. Save your viewing of this flick until it comes to network TV or on your movie channel when there is absolutely nothing else to watch.

Basic Plot Line:

Fed up with answering to higher-ups, Nick, Dale and Kurt decide to become their own bosses by launching their own business. But a slick investor soon pulls the rug out from under them. Outplayed and desperate, and with no legal recourse, the three would-be entrepreneurs hatch a misguided plan to kidnap the investor’s adult son and ransom him to regain control of their company.

Rating: 0 out of 5 stars.

The best part of this movie was when it was over. The trailer is infinitely better than the movie which was boring, boring, boring. The acting wasn’t too great either. Read a complete and exhaustive synopsis, again taken from IMDB, which does contain pretty much everything including spoilers.

Don’t waste your time on seeing it at the theater, much less buying the DVD. It sucked so bad it will probably never make it to network TV.

Rating: -1 out of 5

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In the land of the psychopaths, the crazy man is king …..

This is a very complex movie that continually twists and turns. The movie has great acting by Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Carrie Coon, and Neal Patrick Harris. This movie is definitely Oscar fodder. What follows is the synopsis from IMDB which does contain spoilers so if you are going to see this on the big screen, stop here!

Rating: 4.8 out of 5

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A new telling of a familiar story…

The movie takes some poetic license with the Biblical account of Nosh. Clearly there is not much detail in the Old Testament account and this leaves room for speculation. However it does make you take a more serious look at the relationship between God and Mankind.

The film starts by briefly retelling the beginning of the book of Genesis. In the beginning, there was nothing. Then God created the world as well as man and woman. After Adam and Eve created sin, they had three sons – Cain, Abel, and Seth. After Cain killed Abel, he took refuge under the eyes of fallen angels called the Watchers, giant multi-armed stone golems. The Watchers helped Cain and his descendants build civilization, but the wickedness of man spread throughout the world. Only the descendants of Seth would be left to restore mankind.

This movie was well done albeit not the feel good message you normally get from the Sunday School lesson. However it was very thought provoking. If you want a full synopsis, including spoilers, click on the “read more” below.

rating: 4.6 out of 5

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After a failed global warming experiment, a post-apocalyptic ice age has killed off all live on the planet. All that remains of humanity are the lucky few that boarded the Snowpiercer, a train that travels around the globe, powered by a sacred perpetual motion engine.  A class system has evolved on the train,fiercely dividing the passengers and as would be expected a rebellion is brewing. The movie is their efforts at moving forward, car by car, to get to the trains creator and absolute authority who rides in splendor.

In a word, boring. Probably the cinematography would have made the movie more interesting on the big screen. Definitely an all star cast but this was definitely not my cup of tea. For what it is it was well done.

Rating: 1 out of 5 (barely watchable)

An apparent attempt to create a new cult hit movie like Blazing Saddles but a long way off. This movie, from Seth MacFarlane starring Seth MacFarlane is more a series of one liners than anything else. I missed this one in the theaters, and now sort of glad I did. It had its moments and was watchable, but not the rollicking humor of Blazing Saddles.

Albert (MacFarlane) loses his girlfriend to his nemesis played by Neal Patrick Harris. A mysterious woman rides into town and turns his luck around. Her husband, a notorious gunslinger, then rides into town seeking revenge.

Decent entertainment or matinee fodder.

Rating: 1.8 out of 5

At the end of Catching Fire, we find Katniss rescued from the games…..

With the Games now destroyed and in pieces, Katniss Everdeen, along with Gale, Finnick and Beetee, now end up in the so thought “destroyed” District 13. Under the leadership of President Coin and the advice of her friends, Katniss becomes the “Mockingjay” and the symbol of rebellion for the people.

As the movie just came out, I won’t add any spoilers yet. However be apprised that this movie is a teaser for Part 2. In this installment, Katniss becomes quite annoying, much like Charley in the TV series Revolution. Nonetheless, The villain is still President Snow but you really begin to have reservations about the proclaimed President Coin of District 13.

All in all a watchable movie, a must see if you want to understand Part 2 when it is released next year. At the end, Peeta and Joanna have been rescued; however, be in for a big surprise as Peeta has been reconditioned while in the Capitol and this leaves Katniss a bit disturbed. Gale should be the one she is true to, but alas this will probably not be.

Rating: 3.7 out of 5.