Reviews

In 2010, Nickelodeon aired FЯED: The Movie, and I'll be honest.. I was a bit skeptical at first. I've been a fan of the YouTube videos from the start and think Lucas Cruikshank is a talented and very funny guy, but you just have to wonder what's going to happen when this character gets commercialized in such a big way. To my surprise (and I'm sure everyone else's), the movie ended up being hilarious! The writing was brilliantly funny and the comedic timing of everyone in the ensemble was spot on. So, when the sequel was announced I had no doubts that all of us fans were in for a real treat! In the film, we meet Fred as his life becomes like a horror movie -- his favorite music teacher has gone missing and all suspicions point to her replacement, Mr. Devlin (played eerily by Seth Morris). He is a pale man who dresses in all black and carries an umbrella in the sunlight... Fred suspects that he's a vampire! With the help of his faithful friend, Bertha (Daniella Monet), Fred sets out to save the town from this garlic-hating fiend! I thought the movie was really good! It was a little bumpy at first, but after about 15 minutes it really got going and delivered some great comedy! And I venture to say that it was even better than the first film! I will say that I missed Jennette McCurdy being in the cast, but Daniella Monet really did a good job at stepping into the role of Bertha. I liked the character of Kevin more in this film (played once again by Jake Weary). He seemed much more involved and was very funny. And playing Kevin's sister, so weirdly and comically, was Modern Family's own Ariel Winter.

I really liked seeing the plot evolve out of Fred just being obsessed with Judy. I think it really made the film more enjoyable. I also liked seeing the return of Fred's parents, played by Siobhan Fallon Hogan and John Cena -- especially Cena who was actually super funny.. a favorite scene of mine involved Fred discussing with his dad how to get rid of the vampire: Dad Figglehorn: "Vampires hate baseball players... Vampires are always yelling at baseball players!" Fred: "I think you mean umpires, dad..." The film really delivered a lot more than I had hoped for in a TV sequel. The writing by David A. Goodman was fantastic and Cruikshank was on his A-game delivering a hilarious performance! I really enjoyed it and hope that anyone who loves comedy will check it out! It's not just for kids.. it's got something in there for everyone!

After the train wreck that was supposed to be The Final Destination, who would have thought a series that was seemingly over could slightly redeem itself?! You're better off just sticking with the original "thrill-ogy," but if you just have to see another one... this should be that one.

The story, of course, is the same as always: someone has a premonition about a horrible event happening that leads the group to their gory death (in this case a collapsing bridge while traveling to a company retreat) and once they've seen the vision, they manage, with a few others, to barely escape the terrible fate. Then, one-by-one, the survivors begin to die in bloody freak accidents because you can't cheat death. Only this go round there is a twist... if you kill somebody else, then death skips you because you've taken the years that person had left in their life.

Being a big fan of the first three films (particularly the third one), I wasn't so impressed with the latest addition. The death sequences, while interesting enough, didn't feel too original nor did they make you squirm and leave you feeling anxious of normal every day things like the others so twistedly accomplished to do. To sum it up in one word, I'd probably say that the death sequences felt very "tame" for a Final Destination film.

The acting wasn't the best, but the three central characters did a decent enough job to keep you interested despite being a bit one-dimensional. That might fall under the category of the writing, though, rather than the acting. The dialogue was pretty bad. Without giving anything away, I will say that the film got itself an extra star from me because of its ending. It is a very cool twist that you don't see coming and is probably one of the more brilliant moments from throughout the entire series.

When seeing a remake, it is very difficult to get the original film out of your mind; you compare every little detail as you watch. In some cases, you actually forget the original and enjoy the remake because they did some patch work that really improved the film as a whole and better developed the characters. Fright Night, however, did not live up to its 1985 origins. Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate it as much as I thought I would... there were actually some new twists I found to be pretty clever. Overall, though, I feel like it failed to live up to the original film (of which I am a big fan) and had there not been an original and this stood on its own... I feel like it still wouldn't have played out so well.

The story centers on high school student, Charley Brewster (Anton Yelchin), who begins to sense that something isn't quite right about his new next door neighbor, Jerry (Colin Farrell). When Charley's best friend Ed (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) goes missing after trying to convince him that Jerry is a vampire, though, Charley's suspicions rise and begin connecting the dots surrounding his neighbor and the string of recent disappearances. With no one to believe his vampire theory, Charlie attempts to enlist the help of self-proclaimed vampire slayer, Peter Vincent (David Tennant), to help him take Jerry down.

While the producers were able to wrangle a pretty decent list of actors for the film, it all just felt horribly miscast. It may sound like a contradiction, but while giving pretty good performances... hardly any of the actors felt right for the characters they were portraying, especially Farell who made for a lousy vampire. Yelchin was probably the most convincing of all, which was good because his character had to carry the story.

As was with the original, the film did manage to keep a good sense of humor about itself. I do think it did a good job of building up a looming suspense throughout and keeping the tension high. It very quickly became more an action-comedy than a horror flick, but it did manage to get in a few unexpected and even frightening moments. Unlike the original, though, the writing was very shaky. I felt like it was trying to walk the line of keeping true to the original and at the same time define itself as its own, which made it a bit sloppy at times.

Director Craig Gillespie relied a bit too heavily on CGI for certain aspects, such as the transformation into a vampire or squirting blood that was just as bad, if not worse, than the CGI we saw a few years ago in I Am Legend. It just didn't mesh well with the reality of it and almost made you laugh it was so poorly done. The 3D aspect wasn't really needed here. There were a few gimmicky moments for it during the more climatic scenes, but most of the film didn't need it. I will admit that it adds a nice depth to a scene, but still not worth the extra money.

So, while I didn't totally hate it... I didn't totally love it either. I will say that I enjoyed certain moments of it, but overall it was one of the countless classic films that should have been left alone because the original still hasn't gone out of style yet.

Without even seeing it, some people have bashed this film because of it's unoriginal concept. That's true. It has been done before. You can think of it as Freaky Friday... except with dudes and really amped up! From the first few minutes the movie was crude and vulgar... and absolutely hilarious! But what else is to be expected when two mega forces in comedy come together? David Dobkin, the director of Wedding Crashers, and Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, the writers of The Hangover... just an awesome combination that really paid off on screen! Of course, I can't forget to mention the incredibly funny cast that worked so well together: Ryan Reynolds, Jason Bateman, Leslie Mann and Olivia Wilde... even Alan Arkin is in there! The writing is funny, but the comedic timing and performances were just so perfect and what truly made the film hilarious! The story focuses on two childhood pals, Mitch (Reynolds), who dropped out of high school to become an actor and is just a promiscuous mess, and Dave (Bateman), who has worked hard all his life to be a successful lawyer, has a wonderful family and is close to making partner at his firm. One night, though, while going out and catching up after being vacant from one another's lives for a brief time, they get to talking about their lives and drunkenly wish they could take a walk in the other's shoes, but be careful what you wish for when you are pissing in a magic fountain... The next morning the two awake to discover that they have switched bodies. And, although, after freaking out they begin to explore this new freedom, they soon learn that the escape from their normal lives isn't as glorious as they had imagined and begin looking for a way to return to their rightful bodies.

Despite being wildly hilarious, the film also weaves in some very subtle moments that back up the comedy with a great heart. I recently saw that the general view of the critics is "Skip it!" which was enough to tell you how good the film actually is, but having, now, seen it myself... I say you'd be crazy to miss out on it. True, it won't be everyone's cup of tea, but for someone like me who loves a good R-rated comedy, it's definitely worth going to. In a way, it plays out in the way that made Knocked Up and Wedding Crashers work so well: the outrageous and often crude comedic material overpowers to make a great comedy, but it also has those great tender moments that balance out the film and really carry the story.

With a perfect cast bringing this film to life, it is undoubtedly one of the best movies of the year and one of the greatest stories ever told on screen. It really did give a new perspective on the way we view events from our past, all very strongly and realistically adapted from Kathyrn Stockett's novel. The film tackled a very serious issue with respect, telling it how it was, but it was also filled with many hilarious moments to really make it a well-rounded film.

Set in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960s, The Help tells the story of some very courageous women who, in a time when black women were treated with no respect yet were the ones who were always in people's homes raising their children and taking care of the family, form what at the time seemed like a very unlikely friendship when Skeeter (Emma Stone), fresh out of college, decides to write from the point-of-view of the maids; having seen how badly some are treated and how fond she was of her own growing up... the woman was around more than her own mother. The town is turned upside down as they get swept up in the changing times; some people outraged at the voice that is finally being heard, others seeing things from a new perspective for the first time.

I wasn't sure how I felt about the film going into it only knowing the basic premise and having seen the trailer (I still haven't gotten around to reading the book), but it didn't take long to really fall in love with it. It was just a remarkable film... a remarkable story to tell.

The characters were just so well developed and you really felt for them; connected with them. I don't think director Tate Taylor could have gotten a more incredible cast: Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain, Allison Janney, Sissy Spacek, Emma Stone, Bryce Dallas Howard and Cicely Tyson... all of whom really breathed life into each of the personalities (my favorites being Minny Jackson and Celia Foote).

It is one of those films that I think everyone needs to see. It definitely has great Oscar potential for Best Adapted Screenplay, definitely some Best Performance nods and maybe even a Best Picture... if not any of those (especially performance-wise), the Academy is crazy! It really was a great film, though, one that was funny, touching and just a beautiful story to see unfold.

I can't say that this film lived up to Zombieland, but Ruben Fleischer came pretty close with his second feature film, 30 Minutes or Less. It is just a riotous good time that brings the laughs at a rapid fire pace! The writing is a bit sharper than your typical screwball comedy, but it still delivers all the crazy and hilarious antics you'd expect.

The central character is Nick (Jesse Eisenberg), a pizza delivery boy in his 20s, who, while delivering a pizza one night, is knocked out and awakens to find that two amateur criminals in monkey masks have strapped a bomb to his chest. Nick now has exactly ten hours to rob a bank and get the money to the guys or else... Assisted by his best friend Chet (Aziz Ansari), a substitute teacher, he races against the clock to bring closure to certain aspects of his life while also figuring out a game plan for robbing the bank and hopefully coming out of this whole thing without blowing up.

This was just a great buddy comedy that features a really funny cast, including a few actors that I only really like in certain roles: Danny McBride and Aziz Ansari, but they paired perfectly with funny man Nick Swardson and one of my favorite actors, Jesse Eisenberg.

Being a rather short film, it never really had a chance to slow down and did a wonderful job at delivering laugh-out-loud one-liners while also never deviating from the central story, which actually threw in some fun, unexpected curve balls that kept the film interesting.

I can't say that it was perfect comedy, some of the sexual jokes got a little overbearing (mainly from Danny McBride's character), but overall it is really funny, quick-witted and just an excitingly chaotic ride from start to finish.

If you're like me, you will be completely fascinated by the story of this film. I'm a big fan of Planet of the Apes and to get to see its origins is really great. Out of the entire series of movies, I think this one truly is the best. It was just absolutely spectacular! The actors delivered fine performances for their well developed characters; the writers, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, didn't miss a beat with their fantastic and intelligent script; and the story was compelling, exciting and emotionally touching.

The star of the film is an ape named Caesar (whose emotions were brought to life brilliantly by Andy Serkis) who is the baby of an ape that was tested on for scientist Will Rodman's (James Franco) research in an effort that resulted in a way for the brain to heal itself, and what could possibly be the cure for Alzheimer's; a disease very personal for him because his father (John Lithgow) suffers from it -- even though Rodman is warned not to let personal issues get in the way of science. The drug also had another affect... it lead to the development of intelligence in apes. As Caesar grows older and smarter, though, he becomes more aware, questioning who and what he is. It is during an incident that causes Caesar to be separated from Will, in a feeling of abandonment, and then being mistreated by Dodge Landon (Tom Felton) at a shelter that ultimately leads to a hurt and confused Caesar plotting for revenge.. what becomes a war for primacy.

Unlike the Planet of the Apes films from the past, this one did not have people running around in ape suits but instead presented us with CGI primates, emotional performances captured from actors. If I hadn't known it were CGI, though, I would have sworn that they were real apes. They were brilliant! Director Rupert Wyatt did a wonderful job of connecting this prequel to the first film, really catching every little detail and even littered respectful homages to the original throughout the entire film. Honestly, I just loved finding out what lead to the great ape takeover. And as I mentioned before, the script was just wonderful and made for a thought provoking and emotionally driven thrill ride!

I couldn't be more happy with this film! The story is so grounded in reality. The writing is so perfectly heartfelt and hilarious. The cast is incredible! It's just a wonderful movie and kind of a nice break from all the big action films that have been dominating the summer. True, it is a romantic comedy, but I think it is one that the guys will enjoy just as much as the girls.

It may fit in the typical romance movie cliché every now and then, but overall the story is much more realistic. It skips the lovey dovey elements of a normal chick flick and introduces you to a married couple, Cal and Emily (played by Steve Carell and Julianne Moore), who seemingly have a normal life.. a stable living, kids, they were high school sweethearts. We meet them, though, at a not so great time in their lives because she wants a divorce. Now, Cal must navigate in the role of a single man with some assistance from a "professional bachelor" (Ryan Gosling).

Even the most serious of moments in this film are dashed with a flavor of quirky comedic relief.. the kind that life so graciously grants us so that we don't totally fall apart in a horrible situation. I also liked the fact that this film not only explored the topic of love many years after the couple had fallen for one another, but it also took a look at young love, as well; that first time a guy falls for a girl because it is like he is seeing women for the first time. Or the first time a younger person develops an interest for someone much older than they are. Everyone can relate to this film.

The casting truly was perfect. There a lot of times when a film features so many big names that it just tries to sell them and loses track of the story; the heart of the film. Playing alongside Carell, Moore and Gosling were the talents of Kevin Bacon, Marisa Tomei, Emma Stone, Josh Groban and relative newcomer Jonah Bobo. Each brought these characters to life in such a way that you forgot they were big name actors and just got yourself immersed in the story the characters were apart of.

It's definitely a film that you won't want to miss! Truthfully, I fell in love with it! When it comes to romantic comedies, I don't often find ones that I really like, but this is just a fantastic film!

The story of a teenage girl who gets institutionalized by her abusive stepfather and retreats into an alternate universe.. a fantasy world.. to cope with the recent events in her life and upon doing so envisions a plan that will help her and some of the other girls escape the mental institution didn't exactly get me too interested in the film; nor did the trailer. My mindset on the film also started to sway rather negatively upon the films release when all I heard was negative feedback.

However, I try not to listen to the critics and just see the film myself to properly assess the material. I decided to await the movie's DVD release and finally sat down to watch it recently. I hoped for only the best because I'm a big Zack Snyder fan. He is responsible for writing and directing some of the most visually striking and masterfully crafted film adaptations, i.e.: 300, Watchmen and Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole. I began to worry, though, when I found the stylized action sequences in this film to be dull.

To me, everything just felt like it was so quickly thrown together. The CGI was very messy, as if it were rushed, only the close-ups seemed to pay particular attention to detail, and the writing was, for lack of a nicer term, horrid. There was little story or character development, just harsh, dark scenes set in reality with glimpses of a corrupt and action-packed parallel universe. The casting was also very off as only Jena Malone managed to deliver a good and believable performance, but I guess not much is to be expected from a film starring Vanessa Hudgens.

Aside from Jena Malone, the only other thing I truly enjoyed about the film was the fact that it was a showcase for some magnificent cinematography. For me it felt like that was Snyder's main focus, rather than to tell the story, was just to please his audience visually. And yes, my eyes were entertained, but as a movie lover who also needs to have all the other elements in a film (good writing, casting and a decent storyline), I was not so pleased.

This film hasn't even been out an entire week yet and I've already seen it three times, if that gives you any idea of how amazing it is! Truthfully, I still haven't fully come to terms with the fact that it is actually over. These films have been apart of our lives for ten years, now, and it is bittersweet to say goodbye. But, there is no doubt, it could not have ended in any better way.

It starts exactly where Part 1 left off with Voldemort breaking into Dumbledore's tomb and stealing the Elder Wand. From there, the darkness only spreads as Harry, Ron and Hermione continue on their journey to destroy the last of the Horcruxes. Things get a bit more complicated this go round, though, as Voldemort has realized what they are up to and begins to unleash his wrath of destruction on his mission to kill Harry, which all comes down to an epic and destructive battle at Hogwarts.

As a fan of both the books and films, I went into this finale with the highest of expectations and it still managed to far exceed them. They really just hit the ground running with this one and did not let up.. not for a second. And not only was it an action-packed epic, it was also very emotional.. both in the way certain character's stories unfold and come to an end and that it is, in fact, the very end. Each time I've seen the film I've laughed, I've stayed on the edge of my seat and I've cried.

Daniel Radcliffe's acting abilities were greatly showcased in this film and in certain scenes his performance will give you goosebumps it is so good. At times, yes, they did stray from the books as all the films have, but in the heart of it all it stayed very faithful to J.K. Rowling's magnificent vision, while also enhancing it to a flawless film, adapted wonderfully by Steve Kloves, that has not one dull moment.

David Yates also directed the last three Potter films, but I think this one is his shining moment. The camera work he does is just beautiful and the pacing of the film keeps you immersed in the magic from start to finish; not to mention how he thrust you into the action during the larger than life battle sequences. You couldn't ask for a better film; a better finale; a better experience at the theater.

While many did not like Michael Bay's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Bay, himself, included), I really enjoyed the film. But, for those who didn't, despite what critics had to say, you will love this dark and action-packed finale to this amazing trilogy! In the fashion of the previous two films, Dark of the Moon takes a turn at giving history a little rewrite. This time with the explanation of the big space race in 1969. It turns out that we actually ventured to the moon to explore an alien spacecraft that had crashed landed there, unaware that it belonged to the Autobots. Years later when Optimus Prime learns of its existence, he retrieves the precious cargo and returns it to Earth, in hopes to keep it safe and away from the Decepticons.

I saw this film twice in theaters and it is just everything you could hope for in the final better and more! Of course, in true Michael Bay style, there are a lot of explosions and much destruction, but also there is a solid storyline that features a brilliant and totally unexpected twist! This film definitely took a darker turn compared to the others, and I dare say that it is the best of them! It did feel a bit off having Megan Fox gone, but Rosie Huntington-Whiteley was able to come in and give her character life that aided into the masterfully crafted story. Along with the returning cast, a few other new editions were added, such as the wonderful John Malkovich and Frances McDormand! We also were introduced to some awesome new Transformers, which included my personal favorite, Shockwave, who was able to branch out into this mechanical snake-like creature.

It's sad to think that the end came so quickly, but it couldn't have ended more perfectly! It's just an exciting ride that is packed with action, explosions, laughs, twists and turns, and heart. Not to mention that while most films gain nothing extra from being in 3-D (except for $3 more from your wallet), this movie was what the 3-D technology was made for! It was just spectacular.. especially during the action sequences (which were aplenty)!

While Horrible Bosses isn't horrible, it isn't terrific either. Think of it is as a revved up, R-rated, male version of 9 to 5. I wanted to like it more than I did. There's no doubt that you will laugh as the writing was great, raunchy but also sharp and witty, but I just didn't come out of it completely satisfied.

The film is pretty fast-paced as it follows three friends, each of whom is conspiring to kill their bosses because they feel that they are keeping them from being truly happy. You have things taking a dark turn with Nick (Jason Bateman) whose boss (Kevin Spacey) blackmails him into working harder than anyone at the company. Then, there's Dale (Charlie Day) who works for a very sexually aggressive dentist (Jennifer Aniston) that is always trying to get in his pants, despite the fact that he is engaged. And finally we have Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) who actually likes his job until his boss (Donald Sutherland) passes away and the company is taken over by his coke-head son (Colin Farrell). One night, in a drunken rant, the three decide to hire a murder consultant (Jamie Foxx) to help them knock off each of their bosses.

In my opinion, Jennifer Aniston was the best part of the entire film, by far. Never before has she played such a role and it was absolutely hilarious! Jason Bateman had his moments, but mostly stayed grounded in his typical, passive-aggressive role. Charlie Day, too, had his moments, although at times I felt he was trying a little too hard to get the laugh. The only cast member I really had any problem with, though, was Colin Farrell. He, fortunately, did not have much screen time, but his character, along with the performance, just didn't go well with the flow of the comedy.

Overall, the film is good for a laugh, just not one I'll be seeing again. The idea wasn't too original and I felt that the film itself just didn't live up to its full potential, but I say "bravo" to Michael Markowitz, John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein for a good script.

It may have the word "bad" in its title, but this film is anything but. Within the first few minutes, I was laughing and I practically didn't stop the whole time. As is with some of the great R-rated comedies of the last few years (i.e. The Hangover and Knocked Up), this movie features some of the funniest writing.. making for a very raunchy but hilarious good time! I'm a pretty big fan of Cameron Diaz, anyway, so it's always fun to see her do something she hasn't really done before... and playing the foul-mouthed, junior high teacher Elizabeth Halsey was just a great casting job! While the storyline is a pretty shallow one and you won't find any moral lesson here, it is still just about everything you could wish for in a comedy. It centers around Ms. Halsey whose engagement was just broken off on the terms that she is a "gold digger." As she begins to work her charm on the new substitute teacher, though, she finds herself going head-to-head with one of the school's most well-loved teachers, Amy Squirrel.

The main cast is rounded out by the hilarious Lucy Punch, Justin Timberlake and Jason Segal, as well as a great supporting cast that includes Phyllis Smith, John Michael Higgins, Eric Stonestreet and Molly Shannon. You could not ask for a funnier ensemble! It may not have any values, but if you're looking to have some laughs and a great time at the movies.. you'll definitely want to check this movie out!

The critics can say whatever they'd like to about this adaptation of the DC Comics character, but it was actually a very good movie. While I will say I think the pacing moved a bit too quickly, not allowing all characters to be fully developed, that is the film's only real downfall.

Honestly, when I first heard about them making a movie about Green Lantern, I was a bit skeptical. Not because of the movie itself, but because, as much as I love Ryan Reynolds as an actor, he always does a phenomenal job, I wasn't sure I'd feel completely comfortable with him playing a superhero. After seeing the movie, though, all doubts were lost. Reynolds made for a perfect Hal Jordan! The story follows Jordan, a test pilot, who has a mystical ring, which possesses great powers, bestowed upon him by an alien. He is told that the ring chose him to induct into an intergalactic squadron who is tasked with keeping peace throughout the universe.

A good majority of characters and locations in the film are done in CGI and I have to say that they were spectacular! As Hal is introduced to this new planet and these 'creatures,' we, too, experience it as if through his eyes. It is a magnificent universe that has something new and breathtaking to see around every corner! It was just a totally unique world.. unlike any you've seen in a film before, only aided by the voice talent that brought some of these aliens to life, such as Geoffrey Rush and Michael Clarke Duncan.

Along with an incredible performance by Reynolds, Peter Sarsgaard did a wonderful job as Hector Hammond who was accidentally introduced to remarkable power (in true comic book fashion) which consumed him purely for evil.

I, now, look forward to seeing the sequel (which is currently in the works) to explore more of this incredible universe and see what excitement still lies ahead.

Not since films such as E.T., The Goonies and Stand By Me has there been such an exciting and magical experience presented to us at the theater. It's main characters are a group of kids. It's location is a small town in Ohio in 1979. It's feel, however, is larger than life. A grand sense of adventure that speaks to the child that still lives within all of our hearts. Under the guidance of Steven Spielberg, J.J. Abrams has written and directed his masterpiece.. the film that will forever define him as a brilliant director.

The story focuses on a group of six middle school age friends who, while filming a super 8 movie, witness a disastrous train wreck that is suspected to be more than just an accident. It is only the very next day that unusual disappearances begin to occur, and as this small town mystery unfolds... the truth is much larger than anyone could have ever imagined.

From the first few moments of the film, Abrams perfectly paces this story and keeps you on the edge of your seat as the pieces of the puzzle begin to connect in a thrilling and, also, heartwarming way. Lead by newcomer Joel Courtney, you will not find a more talented group of young actors anywhere. Each brought their own individual style and an authenticity to the characters and delivered performances that could rival those of some of Hollywood's elite. It was their job to carry the story and the likes of Elle Fanning (who could easily give her sister a run for her money), Ryan Lee (who brought the laughs as a great comic relief), Riley Griffiths (who stole every scene he was in), Zach Mills and Gabriel Basso just did a phenomenal job! It is great to know that this new generation has a film like this, one they can watch over and over again and find something exciting about the ride each time! I, myself, saw it three times in theaters, and never once got bored with it. Each time I laughed, I was frightened and I left with a smile upon my face. You don't see many truly great films these days, but this is one with a lot of excitement and a lot of heart that will not leave you disappointed.

It has been ten years since the last Scream film and finally Wes Craven has taken another 'stab' at the greatest horror franchise of this generation. From the opening sequence you are glued to the screen as the film does not miss a beat. Reminiscent of the original film from 1996, Scream 4 finds Sydney returning to her hometown of Woodsboro on the anniversary of the original murders and only one thing can happen when Sydney is in town... Ghostface returns to butcher a new generation of teens, this time in bloodier ways than ever before! Everything that has always been so great about this series shines through, brighter than ever, in this fourth installment. The film is smart while delivering the laughs as it pokes fun at awful horror clichés while also building up a brooding suspense that really unnerves you. To top it all off, throughout the entire film you are in a wild guessing game of who the killer is and the ending is the most unpredictable of the series, yet! The writing is so swift and smart, only enhanced by the film's wonderful alumni and young cast! It truly is a new decade with new rules and it is one fun time at the movies!

Usually when Clint Eastwood directs a film it is a fantastically done work of art, which is why I can't believe that I'm saying how disappointed I am in his latest film, Hereafter. The story follows the lives of three ordinary people, each of whom are touched by death in a different way; one by being in the middle of a tsunami, another by losing his brother in a car accident and one who has a special connection to the afterlife. Truly, as much as I tried to like it, it was just an all-around bad movie. Peter Morgan seems to have spent very little time on his script, keeping events very choppy and one-dimensional. The characters that we meet throughout the film are almost transparent as they are never fully developed, really throwing off balance that emotional investment you need to have for each to really feel for them when they are faced with these dramatic and traumatizing experiences. The CGI during the big opening tsunami sequence is a reminder that Warner Bros. is not strong in creating realistic looking visual effects, as was previously seen with I Am Legend. And finally, even as a Matt Damon fan, I think performances in this film were at their weakest by all of the actors. The film did have a very interesting concept, but failed to execute it the right way.

You either adapt or die in director Joe Wright's newest action flick, Hanna. Growing up in the secluded forest of Finland with her father (Eric Bana), an ex-CIA operative, Hanna (Saoirse Ronan) has been raised to be the perfect assassin. Now, 16-years-old, she is sent out across Europe by her father on a mission and must elude the CIA agents targeting her, led by ruthless agent, Marissa (Cate Blanchett), who carries a secret of her own. Aided along by an electrifying soundtrack composed by The Chemical Brothers, this smart, fast-paced thrill ride gets you exhilarated. In a day and age where we see countless remakes, Hanna is a breath of fresh air in its originality. And aside from being the very definition of badass, the story also conveys the message of growing up with heart and dark humor. The events that occur throughout the film are made that much more compelling by the directing and editing choices, which are just mesmerizing and unique; quick cuts and spin shots mixed in with the lighting are just beautiful to watch and enhanced greatly by the soundtrack. There's no way you'll be disappointed with this film as it delivers quite the punch!

Despite what has been said, this film has very little relation to Pineapple Express other than the fact that it is from the same director and features a few of the same actors. There is also the misconception that it is a "stoner comedy" which is not the case. There may be two or three instances where a "magical herb" is smoked, but that is all. It's not much of a comedy at all, really. There are a few moments where you laugh, but the film is actually an epic. It centers around the life of the lazy and useless Prince Thadeous (Danny McBride) who admires his "perfect" older brother, Fabious (James Franco), but is also jealous of everything that he has accomplished. But when the evil wizard Leezar (Justin Theroux) kidnaps Belladonna (Zooey Deschanel), Fabious' bride-to-be, the two brothers must unite on a quest to rescue her; accompanied by Thadeous' servant, Courtney (Rasmus Hardiker). On their journey, they face much peril: everything from deception to a five-headed beast to a minotaur and even a very strong-willed, ass-kicking heroine.. Isabel (Natalie Portman). Truly, it is the ultimate geek movie. It was shot on the massive scale of a Lord of the Rings film, covering all the basics of any medieval-styled story. It definitely took it a little while to find its footing, but it did shape up. The only real problems with it are the writing, which in areas could be a little rough, and Danny McBride, who seemed to be trying too hard to get the laugh, presenting himself as annoying and unfunny. The rest of the cast, however, was brilliant. It's always fun to see actors such as Franco and Portman step down from their Oscar roles and just have fun. Zooey Deschanel has always been a great actress, who does have a smaller part in this film as she typically does, but she is always one that you don't forget. Rasmus Hardiker is a little-known actor from the UK who I think will get more recognition after this film; he played the role of a servant but really did a great job with his performance and has terrific comedic timing and ability. The special effects were done very well and it was really a fun time experiencing it on the big screen; it just had this booming epicness to it that really sucked you into the action.

Based upon the novel by Berkeley Breathed, Mars Needs Moms, is a creative way to look at both what lies beyond our world in space and having a deeper appreciation for our mothers, even if they do make us do chores and eat vegetables. When Milo (Seth Green) witnesses his mother (Joan Cusack) being abducted by aliens, he chases after her only to be whisked away to Mars as well. There, he surprisingly meets another human being, Gribble (Dan Fogler), who explains that the Martians need nurturing mothers who also are firm with their children so they can harness those traits into their nanny bots. With the aid of a rogue Martian, Ki (Elisabeth Harnois), the race is on to save Milo's mom before it is too late. Filmed with motion censor technology, the actors are thrust into their animated counterparts on screen delivering strong, heartfelt performances. The adaptation from book to screen is done in a graceful manner that promises one fun, thrilling adventure that is, I apologize for the corny joke, out of this world. While the 3D doesn't really add anything special to the film, director Simon Wells is able to keep the audience engaged in the fast-paced action and swift, comedic dialogue that inevitably makes for a really enjoyable movie experience.

Everybody lies. Everybody has secrets. Some live in isolation. Others go about their lives never revealing their true identities. From writer David Johnson (Orphan) and director Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen, Lords of Dogtown) comes this chillingly unpredictable spin on the classic children's tale. Set in a small, medieval village that is plagued by a werewolf, a young woman, Valerie (Amanda Seyfried) is torn between two men: Peter (Shiloh Fernandez), a woodcutter she has been in love with since childhood, much to her parents displeasure, and Henry (Max Irons), the wealthy welder her parents have arranged for her to marry. Not wanting to separate, Valerie and Peter plan to runaway together until getting word that the prowling werewolf has killed her sister. Seeking revenge, a famed werewolf hunter, Father Solomon (Gary Oldman), is called in only to deliver the villagers some unexpected bad news... the werewolf takes human form by day and it could be any one of them. From start to finish, Hardwicke takes you on this gripping, carefully crafted and well-written ride that leaves even the smartest of audience detectives baffled as you just cannot peg who the werewolf is, even if you think you know. Along with the incredible leading players, a well respected supporting cast that includes Virginia Marsden, Billy Burke and Julie Christie, all take you on these unsuspected twists and turns that inevitably leave you suspicious of everyone... only to have your jaw drop when the conclusion is reached.

If you didn't know any better, you'd actually think you were watching an 80s movie with Take Me Home Tonight. While not delivering the strong emotional depth of a John Hughes film, it still possesses the same qualities in its zany humor, incredible retro soundtrack and at its heart as Matt Franklin (Topher Grace) leaves his position at a lab and much to his father's disapproval begins working at a video store where Matt's young life crisis takes a bigger turn when his twin sister (Anna Faris) gets engaged, his best friend (Dan Fogler) gets fired from his job and Matt's high school crush, Tori Frederking (Teresa Palmer), comes back into his life. In true, hilarious 80s fashion, the ensemble is thrust into a crazy night of partying, mischief and self-discovery. It is a simple, unoriginal story that seems almost contained, but yet is this great adventure with characters you feel a connection to. With what seems like the perfect cast, it is only a movie of this styling (a homage to the great films of the 80s) that can have absolutely no point and still be enjoyable. From the awkward moments to those that are more sentimental, this film is just a fun time that is more or less forgettable but you have a great time with it!

In this clever modernization of the timeless tale of "Beauty and the Beast", high school student Kyle (Alex Pettyfer), the most popular guy in school, has been raised to believe that it is good looks that make people like you. His arrogant and ignorant attitude, though, lands Kyle crossing paths with Kendra (Mary-Kate Olsen), the school witch, who offers him a second chance to be kind but is verbally slandered in dismissal. To teach him a lesson, Kendra places Kyle under a curse that transforms him into a "hideous monster" and it is only when he can truly love himself and find someone to love him for what is on the inside that the curse will be lifted. While appealing more toward tweens, the film still delivers a great message about inner beauty that is one that anyone can learn or be reminded of. And despite its intertwined love story, the film focuses more on Kyle's struggle to find himself in a brilliant performance by Alex Pettyfer, who gets so lost in his character and under the intensely incredible makeup effects that were horrifically beautiful. While Pettyfer delivered, that film's other leading role of Lindy was faltered by a very unconvincing and weak performance by Vanessa Hudgens. The supporting cast, however, were probably the shining stars of the movie: the heart and comedic relief of the film was Kyle's blind tutor Will, played effortlessly by Neil Patrick Harris, a character who was a cross between Lumiere and Cogsworth; and Kyle's live-in maid Zola, played so strongly by Lisa Gay Hamilton, was seemingly a Mrs. Potts character. The role of Kendra was definitely something completely different from what we're used to seeing Mary-Kate Olsen play and I think she really shone with a seductive charm to her character. Daniel Barnz brought the story some very crafty direction and great camera work, aiding along a script that was a little weak and rocky with dialogue & pace. Overall, though, a decent film with a quirky heartfelt pull to it.

Getting separated from his owners as they drive through the desert, aspiring thespian chameleon Rango finds himself in Dirt, a small "Wild West" town that is suffering from a drought that is suspected to be caused by a conspiracy. Knowing that he is a stranger in these parts, Rango creates himself an entire new life (including the name Rango) that makes him into a heroic outlaw and lands him as the town's new sheriff. With gritty and masterful writing, Rango comes to life as homage to the classic western with themes and humor that play well with the adult crowd, but of course featuring light-hearted slapstick styled material to allow the younger viewers to have some fun. With great animation an entire ensemble of characters comes into existence before our eyes, using a new technique of "emotion capture" where the actors actually performed each scene rather than standing in a studio just recording their voices. Johnny Depp is so far gone into his charismatic yet insecure character of Rango, giving him a real heart and soul to carry as the film's protagonist. Other characters are portrayed by Isla Fisher, Ned Beatty, Abigail Breslin and a menacingly vicious performance by Bill Nighy. For his first animated feature, I think Gore Verbinski has done a wonderful job at bringing an alteration of a classic tale, one that is a rarity in films today. From its great writing to its strong performances, this is a film anyone will enjoy with a geniusly incorporated reference to a previous Depp film, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and capturing the true "spirit of the west".