Category Archives: Movies

2013 Movie Reviews

‘Now You See Me’ pulls off a pretty impressive trick — it’s good

NowYouSeeME2I know what you’re thinking — movies about magic hardly ever work. We saw a good example of a good idea gone wrong with the recent “Burt Wonderstone“. The problem with that movie was that it was too predictable — i.e. it was everything “Now You See Me” isn’t.

Thanks to a great cast and a fun script that was cobbled together by five — count ’em five — screenwriters — the movie is a surprisingly fun movie, with twists and turns around every corner. It actually manages to create the energy and wonder of a great magic show. You know it’s BS and if you look closely you can see the smoke and mirrors but it’s still too much fun to care about that you’re being played.

Continue reading Now You See Me review at Examiner.com

Photo property of Summit Entertainment

2013 Movie Reviews

‘Hangover III’ is another unnecessary addition to round out this trilogy

HangoverIIIpicIn baseball, going one for three is pretty solid. When making a trilogy, however, it usually means you’ve failed. While saying Todd Phillips failed with his “Hangover” trilogy, might be a little harsh, it’s quite obvious that the only reason it is a trilogy is because Warner Bros. saw HUGE $$$$$$$ SIGNS after the surprising success of the first film.

Unfortunately, everyone seemed a litte out of touch from what actually made the first movie so great. The second flick tried to recapture that magic in a bottle by duplicating plot points and jokes but “Hangover III” actually tried to change up that formula and somehow made a less interesting movie.

Yeah, there are a few good jokes but it fails to elicit those shocking laughs that the first one was full of.

Continue reading: “The Hangover part III” movie review at Examiner.com

Photo property of Warner Bros.

2013 Movie Reviews

‘Fast and Furious 6’ is ridiculous and fun — but still pretty ridiculous

fast6cThere is no doubt that the “Fast and Furious” franchise has moved into some pretty ridiculous territory. What’s even more amazing is that the movies actually seem to be getting better as they go along.

“Furious 6” isn’t quite as good of an all-around movie as it’s predecessor, “Fast Five” but it amps up the crazy stunts and action and never takes itself more seriously than it needs to.

‘Fast & Furious 6’ helps set some big Memorial Day weekend box office records

Plus, this one has a post-movie scene that is so awesome — and I’m really not sure why it’s as awesome as it is — but it sets up the next movie perfectly. And yes, there will be a seventh movie, because these movies seem to be gaining audiences, an impressive achievement for a street racing movie series.

Read my full “Fast and Furious 6” review at Examiner.com.

Photo property of Universal Pictures