All posts by Timothy English

2013 Movie Reviews

‘White House Down’ just another ‘Die Hard’ rip off

I’m all for mindless action movies. I’m not going to sit here and say just because I review movies for a living that I know what makes a good movie more than anyone else. Hey, I’m just here to offer my opinion. In this case, I would say, it is my opinion that “White House Down” is not a very good movie.

I know, you’re shocked, right?WHDpic2

Another movie in a long, long line of movies aiming to rip off the “Die Hard” formula. Actually “Olympus Has Fallen” was more of a “Die Hard” rip off, “WHD” borrows a little more from the formula Bay used for “The Rock” — you know, a delusional government Patriot does something crazy to get attention — or in this case revenge. Except this time we get James Woods leading a takeover of the White House instead of Ed Harris. Not as interesting.

Then there are the heroes. Channing Tatum plays a wanna be Secret Service agent and Jamie Foxx plays — wait for it — the President of the United States. From “Independence Day” and “2012” director Roland Emmerich never lets the the movie pretend it’s anything but what it is but if we are going to settle for mindless, can’t the movie at least feel original?

Continue reading: White House Down movie review at Examiner.com

Photo property of Columbia Pictures

2013 Movie Reviews

‘World War Z’ is an intense zombie thriller with more brains

Okay, I was really concerned about this one going in. I’ve read the book twice and loved it more each time I read it. I thought it would be impossible to adapt it — as it is.

In case you haven’t read the book, it’s told more as an eye witness account record of the events of this global pandemic. There is no linear story structure. But don’t worry, you’ll have no problem following the movie.

WWZpanicpicBrad Pitt plays Gerry Lane, a retired UN investigator who is brought in to help track down the origin of the viral outbreak that is turing everyone into an infection spreading zombies. Lane helps keep the film grounded in humanity,

Yes, there are some heart pounding scenes and some intense action, but more than anything, the film is incredibly smart, focusing on the search for a cure and the source of the outbreak rather than dwelling on the violence and gore that most zombie movies force on the audience.

Continue reading: World War Z movie review at Examiner.com

Photo property of Paramount Pictures

2013 Movie Reviews

‘Monsters University’ is mildly funny but mostly unnecessary sequel

MonstersUpicI wasn’t a huge fan of “Monsters, Inc.”. I felt it was one of the weaker Pixar movies. It would not be on the list of Pixar movies that I thought ever needed a sequel.

Pixar is amazing, there is no doubt there. But lately, it seems like they’re just kinda going through the motions. This time we go back in time, prequel style, to when Mike and Sully first met — in college at “Monsters University”. Enter stereotypical college movie jokes here, cuz they’re all there.

For the most part it’s funny, there is plenty to entertain the kids but it doesn’t get interesting until it’s too late and even then it’s too brief.

Continue reading: Monsters University movie review at Examiner.com

Photo property of Buena Vista