Anywho the recent cop of movies that I did actually watch were by far some of the best choices to be had, in my humble opinion. Each makes its own mark on the viewer in its own way whether its nostalgia or a hearkening back to a classic or just plain good old fashioned storytelling each of the following films is certainly worth the time regardless of what I or any other reviewer may think. It is, in all honesty, up to the moviegoer to choose what they wish to see based on whatever they wish to base that opinion on.
First up this time round is a sequel to what has become a classic to most sci-fi moviegoers and has been eagerly awaited for by fans since the original made its mark in 1982.I am of course speaking of Tron and the recent Tron: Legacy.
Trailers for Tron: Legacy
Green HornetI am all for a classic retelling of this famous hero but even I am a little leery of this movie. Seth Rogen, while a terrific actor and funny man, is an odd choice it fits right in with the current state of Hollyweird and the butchering of classic film and comics. It looks to be like a fun romp through the world of Green Hornet but it might be just a 90 minute running gag. Its scheduled for a January 14th, 2011 release and might be worth a trip if there is nothing better showing that week. Either way I will probably try and see it at some point.As a side note this movie is out as of the writing of this review and I did go see it. See below for the full review.
Rio
When Blu, a domesticated macaw from small-town Minnesota, meets the fiercely independent Jewel, he takes off on an adventure to Rio de Janeiro with this bird of his dreams. From the producers of Ice Age this one looks like a good family movie. The fish out of water tale is generally a good story if done right. Let's hope that the trailer does not have all the good parts and leave the rest of the movie just not as good. Opens
Cowboys and Aliens
Another comic book turned into a feature film, but this one looks awesome. What more could you ask for Aliens, Cowboys, Harrison Ford, yes I said Harrison Ford. Of course we can't forget Daniel Craig either. The fact that its an alien invasion set in the wild west is just to cool to pass up. I'll probably be seeing this one in the theaters. Opening July 29th, 2011.
Green Lantern
Another comic book movie this must be the year of the comic. If you had asked me a couple of years ago if I liked the Green Lantern I would have said not really. Now that I have been exposed to a number of my friends that are rabid fans its starting to grow on me. This movie has all the makings of a great comic book film with Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan and Mark Strong as Sinestro and the cutting edge CGI looks amazing. The one thing that could ruin the whole thing is a bad script and if they don't do his signature constructs of light. We shall see because I will probably be there to see it as it opens on June 17th, 2011.
Real Steel
A boxing drama set in the near-future where 2,000-pound robots that look like humans do battle. Now I am all for a tale of underdogs that finally win the day but robot boxing? I don't know about this one, it might be a rental for me. Opens October 7th, 2011.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Yay! Pirates and Captain Jack Sparrow returns. From the look of the trailer this is going to be a fun-filled ride. It looks to be going back to basics from the Curse of the Black Pearl with a solid story that will be self-contained in this one film. At least that's the hope. I am eagerly awaiting its release and I hope that I won't be disappointed when I go see it. It opens May 20th, 2011.
Tron: Legacy
As a fan of the original (and yes I did see it in the theater when it first released) I was hoping that this version lived up to its potential and was not disappointed. It had all the earmarks to hearken back to a simpler time where the story leads the effects and not the other way around. The effects were, of course, awesome and did not overshadow the story. Was it slow in places? Yes. Did that hurt it in any way? Absolutely not. It was also riddled with little easter eggs that anyone who had seen Tron would recognize. As such I would recommend this movie to everyone that likes a good solid story with cutting edge special effects and fun for the whole family. This one will be joining my DVD collection as soon as its available.
Entertainment: 5
Family-Friendly: 4
Special Effects: 5
Plot: 4
Trailers for Tangled
Justin Bieber: Never Say NeverFollows Justin Bieber with some footage of performances from his 2010 concert tour. Okay as I am not a teen or preteen girl this movie has absolutely zero interest for me. If you have a preteen girl, a teen girl or are a teen girl than this movie is totally for you. Enjoy! Opens February 11th, 2011
The Smurfs
A live action Smurfs movie in the same vein as the unusually entertaining Rocky and Bullwinkle from a few years ago. Animated Smurfs and everything else is real. Apparently this is Hollyweirds idea of updating a classic cartoon for modern audiences. It didn't work with Underdog, its not going to work with Yogi Bear or with the Smurfs. I just wish that they would leave well enough alone and just update the classics in the same medium that they were originally seen. Sometimes a change is good but in this case I am not so sure. They should stop with the CGI characters and live-action everything else. The only time I saw this was a success was Roger Rabbit and trying to recreate that feeling is really pushing it. I will probably see this one but only as a rental. Opens August 3rd 2011.
Cars 2
Pixars revenge. Well not exactly. In the continuing effort to appease their audiences that want to see more of their characters and world's (Toy Story 3 anyone) Pixar has decided to make a sequel to the popular Cars. As a huge fan of Pixar I think this is not a bad idea. Cars opened the door to a whole new world of talking cars and oddball humor. As such this will be worth a trip to the theater. Opens June 24th, 2011.
Prom
A group of teenagers get ready for their high school prom. Think the BBC's Skins and you probably got the right idea.As I am not a fan of many high school dramas (TV or Movies) this one will probably not be on the list of movies to see in the near future. Opens April 29th, 2011
Gnomeo and Juliet
Okay this one has even me baffled but I do give Hollyweird credit for originality. Romeo and Juliet with garden gnomes. Yes you heard right garden gnomes. It seems that they come alive when we are not looking and there is an intense rivalry between the blue hats and the red hats. You can probably guess the plot from there. Of course this one is just weird enough that I will be seeing it in the theater. Opens Feburary 11th, 2011.
Tangled
The long-haired Princess Rapunzel has spent her entire life in a tower, but when she falls in love with a bandit who was passing by she must venture into the outside world for the first time to find him.A fun-filled family movie that Disney used to do so well and now they are back to where they were when we first saw the Little Mermaid or Lion King or even Beauty and the Beast. Disney has certainly been improved with the advent of Pixar in their midst. Tangled is the storytelling that Disney was once known for and will be again with this film. There is something for everyone here and I truly enjoyed every moment of this film. I highly recommend it for the whole family and if you see one animated film this year see this one.
Entertainment: 5
Family-Friendly: 5
Special Effects: 3
Plot: 4
Trailers for the Green Hornet
Scream 4
Ten years have passed, and Sidney Prescott, who has put herself back together thanks in part to her writing, is visited by the Ghostface Killer. "The rules have changed" so sayeth one of the characters in the most recent edition of the Scream series. It seems that that is more true that we would care to admit. The grandmaster of suspense Wes Craven returns to delight us all once more. As I am not a major horror fan I might wait for DVD for this one but if the better half convinces me otherwise we might be seeing it in the theater. Opens April 15th, 2011.
The Mechanic
Follows an elite hit man as he teaches his trade to an apprentice who has a connection to one of his previous victims. As if this tale hasn't been told before we have another rendition of hitman revenge. Think Bourne Identity without all the coolness and government conspiracy. This is probably going to be a rental for me. Opens January 28th, 2011.
Just Go With It
A man enlists the help of a woman and her kids to land the woman of his dreams. A romantic comedy with Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Sandler a comedian? If so this movie is probably gonna bomb horribly. Don't get me wrong I like Adam Sandler but his recent movies have left me wanting more. To date the only movie I have really liked him in was You Don't Mess with the Zohan. I probably won't be seeing this one unless there is nothing better on the movie channels. Open February 11th, 2011.
Paul
Two British comic-book geeks traveling across the U.S. encounter an alien outside Area 51. All I need say is that these boys are the same people that brought us Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz and thats all that needs be said. Opens March 18th, 2011.
I Am Number Four
John is an extraordinary teen, masking his true identity and passing as a typical high school student to elude a deadly enemy seeking to destroy him. Three like him have already been killed ... he is Number Four. A sci-fi action movie that might be worth a trip to the theater. The jury is still out but the consensus is that it might be interesting enough to pay admission for but barring that at least a rental. Opens February 18th, 2011.
Big Momma's Like Father Like Son
FBI agent Malcolm Turner and his stepson Trent go undercover at an all-girls performing arts school after Trent witnesses a murder. I didn't see any of the previous Big Mommas and probably will not see this one. A black guy that dresses up as an old lady to be undercover is probably not the most interesting concept but if that's what you like then by all means go see this movie. Opens February 18th, 2011.
Battle: Los Angeles
Another alien invasion movie. The Mayan calender certainly has had an effect on Hollyweird with all the alien invasion and disaster movies of late. This one has potential but the trailer was not very informative. Will have to see if there will be other trailers that make this movie look better but I might just wait to rent this one. Opens March 11th, 2011.
Green Hornet
The year of the Super-Hero movies kicks off with a bang with the Green Hornet. I admit I was skeptical going into the theater for this one but I can gladly say I couldn't have been more wrong. It was on point with the action, comedy and special effects. While not a family movie in any sense the Green Hornet has its moments. As implausible as some of action scenes may be I am glad that I did not see it in 3D (some of you already know my feelings on that). All in all well worth the price of admission. By the way for those of you that don't know the history of the Green Hornet here is a little tidbit, the Green Hornet is a descendant of the Lone Ranger and there is an image of the Lone Ranger in the movie so watch for it.
Entertainment: 4
Family-Friendly: 3
Special Effects: 4
Plot: 3
