Top 10 movies of 2013

10. Oz: The Great and Powerful
9. Star Trek: Into Darkness
8. Despicable Me 2
7. Monsters University
6. Iron Man 3
5. Thor 2
4. Turbo
3. Saving Mr. Banks
2. Hunger Games: Catching Fire
1. Pacific Rim

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

While the first one took it's sweet time getting to the story, this just jumps right into the action. But get ready for characters that aren't even in the book, like Legolas. And the motion capture for turning Benedict Cumberbatch into the dragon Smaug is amazing. Peter Jackson knows the right people to do motion capture, as we all know from watching Andy Serkis as Gollum all these years. But really?! 3 hours?! That's stretching it wouldn't you say? Almost as stretched as butter scraped over too much bread.  I didn't see this one in 3D, which is a real shame, because it seems I would have benefited a lot from it. Smaug breathing fire towards the audience would have looked amazing in 3D. Then again, the 3D is HFR, so probably not.

Grade: B   8/10  4/5 stars

Saving Mr. Banks

I definitely think this  is going to be nominated for a few awards this season.  Tom Hanks is the perfect choice for Walt Disney, and Emma Thompson comes off as both snarky and funny at the same time. While at times it is a little dark, it has plenty of humor to make up for it. But considering that both this and Mary Poppins are both Disney I'm not sure we're getting all the facts here. But they really went all out in making everything and everyone look and dress like they were living in the early 60's. If this isn't nominated for at least one award, I've lost faith in the Academy.

Grade: A+    10/10    5/5 stars

47 Ronin

 

I saw 3 movies today! Man, I'm sore. Never again. Anyway here's the review.

Oh, trailers, why are you so inaccurate sometimes? The advertising makes this look like a must-see film. It is not. It's just silly.  However, although it is PG-13, it has minimal blood, (only the Ronin writing their names and then giving their thumbs a small cut, then pressing down on their name.)  it's goreless, has no nudity, or profanity. One of the cleanest PG-13 films I've seen in a while. (Along with Saving Mr. Banks which I also saw today)   But "based on a true story" as the ads claim? Highly doubt it. Dragons do not exist. If you're going to claim a film actually happened at least give it some realism. I walked in expecting something awesome, and came out thinking "Not as good as I expected, but just OK. I don't love it, I don't hate it. " I'm going to bed now, I'll post Saving Mr. Banks and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug tomorrow. 

Grade: C-   6/10   2.5/5 stars.