Epic

The title of this movie is somewhat misleading. It should have been called "Average." Looking back, it essentially is "Save the Forest" hippie propaganda. Seriously. It makes The Lorax and Ferngully look subtle. While the animation is beautiful, the plot suffers from the same tired cliches we've seen in almost every animated film the past 2 decades. I was able to predict the ending 20 minuets into the film. The other 70 were just there to see if I was right, which I was. I expected better from the director of Ice Age and Rio. Those were both wonderful. This has the quality of a Dreamworks film, but that's an insult to Dreamworks. Grade: D- 3/10 1/5 stars

Pacific Rim

What happens when you mix Transformers, Avatar and Godzilla? You get Pacific Rim. If you were disappointed by Transformers, this will replace it in your heart. It's everything Transformers should have been. Michael Bay, if you're reading this, have the director of this help you with Transformers 4. You absolutely must see this on the big screen. Don't wait for the DVD/Bluray. It's a BIG movie that absolutely positively MUST be seen in the theater. It's got action, explosions, wit, and is definitely the best movie of summer 2013. My only complaint is it ran a little too long. They could have cut a half hour. Grade: A+ 10/10 5/5 stars.

The Last Starfighter

Personally, I thought this movie was kind of dull. Even for 1984 the special effects and CGI were really bad. This movie just feels like a big ripoff of Star Wars and Tron. I thought it could have used more action, less dialogue and better effects. Definitely not worth watching again. If you want to find a way to feel like you're watching a terrible Saturday morning cartoon, or want to punish yourself this is the film for you. Otherwise, stay away from this film at all costs. But, if you want to see what Admiral Ackbar would look like if he had a really terrible accident than you might enjoy this. But the whole movie feels like a big ripoff of Star Wars, Back to the Future, and just about every scifi movie of the 80s. Grade: D-  3/10 2/5 stars

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

I've always loved 80's movies. So when I saw that this was on Netflix I was excited. It's a funny look at how to skip school. (Don't worry, it would never work today) However, when I finished watching this I thought: "This is the basic premise of a typical Phineas and Ferb episode." Kid plans something big. Parents are oblivious. Only sister knows truth. Tries to get brother in trouble. Fails. Evil guy vs. family pet. So yeah, Phineas and Ferb doesn't seem very original now. And this is so much better, anyway. It's got teen hijinks, humor, and is just all-around fun movie for the mid-high school-crowd. Grade: B- (took away points for profanity, and lots of it) 7/10 3.5/5

The Wolverine

Author's Note: I didn't want to see this. I was planning on seeing Pacific Rim, but I went with some other people and they wanted to see this. I thought, "We'll it's violent and gory, but I spent my weekend watching the Dark Knight Trilogy, so nothing can really scar me for life." There WAS some pretty disturbing imagery, but Dark Knight was more disturbing. 

Review: While it's not the best X-Men movie in the franchise, it's certainly better than X-Men Origins: Wolverine. There was one thing I didn't expect though, humor. I thought it was going to be a dark, gritty film. It is, but they still manage to mix humor. It's not enough, though. I thought the first half moved too slowly, and the second half was over too quickly.

There's one action scene in the first half. One! And it's incredibly fast, and hard to see. The second half had a predictable twist, and left you going "Really, I knew this was going to happen 20 minutes in the film!" Basically, Wolverine is a fun thrill-ride, but only if you consider rollercoasters that move at 5mph thrill rides. P.S. As always with Marvel movies, stay until about halfway through the credits. Grade: C-  4/10 2/5 stars

Turbo

Ok, so this is the last post I'm making today, but not necessarily the last post I'm making until I see another film in theaters. I might review some films I own and/or have recently rented. That being said here's my review.

Turbo is basically Fast and Furious for kids, with a little bit of Ratatouille, and Cars thrown into the mix. If you liked any or all of these films, there's a good chance you'll like this. It's the best Dreamworks film since Madagascar 3. (I didn't particularly like Rise of the Guardians, and I haven't seen The Croods yet, but I might rent it when it comes out.) If you like underdog (or in this case undersnail) stories, fun action, and bright colors, in addition to electronica music AND tacos, this is the movie for you. I loved this film so much, I'm wishing December would hurry up and get here, so Netflix will put the tv show of this on. That's right. The first Netflix original series for kids, Turbo F.A.S.T. (Fast Action Stunt Team) will premiere in December along with over 500 hours of kids programming made by Dreamworks in the coming years. If its anything like the movie, it's enough incentive to keep my Netflix subscription, and just hope December comes soon, so I don't have to go by page after page of knockoff movies. (Chop Kick Panda, for example) LOVED THIS MOVIE!!!!!!!!!! Grade: A+ 10/10 5/5 stars. Just be prepared for a catchy electronica song about halfway through the movie to get stuck in your head all day. 

Despicable Me 2

While this is much better and funnier than  the first film, I felt it overused the Minions. What made the first film so great, was they used the Minions sparingly. This one feels more like the Minions are the stars rather than Gru and his daughters. That being said, though, I'm still looking forward to the Minions movie next year. (Speaking of which, stay during the entire first half of the credits for a little teaser of that movie.) I felt this one had a stronger villain than the first one, better jokes, and just the right amount of silliness to make this one of the best animated films of the year. It has given me a fear of chickens though. Plus, it was written by two LDS screenwriters, and has a great Christian-based theme. (I can't say what it is without spoiling the ending, though) Basically, this movie will leave you feeling happy. Grade: A-  9/10 4/5 stars