Category Archives: Movies

2013 Movie Reviews, Movie Reviews

‘RED 2’ is more of the same but not in a good way

This happens with sequels.  A studio catches lightning in a bottle, makes money, tries to duplicate formula and gets mixed but disappointing results. That seems to be the biggest problem with “RED 2”, starring Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, and Helen Mirren.

RED2picEveryone is back, which is good I guess. But they don’t seem to be having as much fun. Maybe it’s the plot, which involves Marvin (Malkovich) trying to convince Frank (Willis) their lives are in danger when they are framed for something to do with an old weapon program during the cold war.

So once they are on the run, they have to drag Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker) along, because all she is doing is complaining she wants a gun and wants something to do. This is precisely what kills this movie. Too many characters and not enough for them to do. Continue reading ‘RED 2’ is more of the same but not in a good way →

2013 Movie Reviews

Disney swings and misses with overly long ‘Lone Ranger’

THE LONE RANGERGrowing up, I loved the Lone Ranger. I just thought it was cool for a cowboy to wear a mask and run around with an Indian seeking justice. I’ve always loved westerns, it’s really too bad they have dropped off the popularity chart. So, I was pretty pumped when I found out they were doing this new big screen adaption of “The Lone Ranger”.

And then they cast Johnny Depp — as Tonto. And then they cast Armie Hammer (no, not the box of baking soda) as John Reid aka the Lone Ranger. Oh boy. Continue reading Disney swings and misses with overly long ‘Lone Ranger’ →

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

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