Mortal Instruments - Review

Mortal Instruments -- you can only configure what this movie could be from the title. The movie has no plot or flow at all and just goes along a tale of an abduction and capturing the person and her amenities. It was such an unusual film and it steered in so many directions to a point you are trying to figure out what is going on. The length of the film was WAY to long and it was like watching a non stop running boring Saturday soap opera. The only thing I enjoyed about this film was the performance of Lily Collins as I truly believe she can wind up being a talented actress down the road. She reminds me of a young Jodi Foster. I don't recommend this film at all as I was bored out of misery watching it. 

Rating - 1.5/5

The Butler - Review

With a staggering number of stars in this film, you have no idea if your in for a good or bad film based on previous films in the past with a large number of famed actors.  This film had the absolute best cast put together and each actor did a superb job in this film.  The intensity of the acting especially from Oprah Winfrey and Forest Whitaker, the main stars was incredible, their performances could be in Oscar considerations, it's never to early to start thinking about that.  The story itself was based on a true story of a famed butler of the White House for 34 years and was just a remarkable tale.  It was one that shows true courage in overcoming adversity and dealing with many hardships in life.  I can honestly say this story was great and is one of the best films I have seen all year.  It can also be nominated for Best Picture as well.  I even teared up during some of the movie as it really is a touching and moving film.   I didn't have one negative thing to say about this movie.  "The Butler" is one must-see film and it is a nice ride through US History and seeing the portrayals of many different Presidents as well. For the first time this year, a film has received a five out of five recognition from me.  Congrats to Lee Daniels and his production, Cheers!

Rating - 5/5

CHICAGO: The Musical (Broadway Show featuring Wendy Williams) - Review

Last night, I sat front row for the second-longest running show currently operating on Broadway in the musical, Chicago.  I had high expectations for this show considering the Oscar winning film rendition is one I truly love a lot.  The story itself is one that I enjoy very much and its concepts are very unique.  I also enjoyed seeing the great choreography and music produced in this show.  Not to mention, the cast all around was a great ensemble, I couldn't think of a better cast.  I also enjoyed how the entire Chicago cast intertwined and connected with the orchestra cast the entire show.  However, I did have a few things I did not enjoy about the Broadway rendition of the show. The stage had one layered segment in which the orchestra played on and the characters bounced around on and off of periodically throughout the show.  It made the show hard to look at the entire show considering nothing in the setting really changed.  Aside from, that hardly any props were used in the show.  Not to mention, you had no idea what time period you were in or any setting of where the show was taking place at any moment of the show. I think it is essential for a show to use all these tools to describe the tale of the story and make the show more lively.  Aside from this the one part of the show that bothers me is the man who Roxie Hart kills in the show named Fred Kaisley participates in the ensemble the entire show.  If he is dead why does he keep appearing in the show?  Some death, right?  The one thing about the ensemble that bothered me as well that is all on the production team is that when the ensemble changed into a team of paparazzi members photographing Roxie Hart or other characters, they stayed in their typical bar costume outfits.  I think the outfits should be changed for each setting.  The entire show, each actress and actor wore the same outfit.  Change couldn't hurt.  From these fundamentals, it shocks me how the show can run so long like this.  I also was not a fan of the actor who played Billy Flynn, the famed hot-shot lawyers of the show.  This character is supposed to have a semi appeal to all audiences and be the one individual everyone draws to.  The actor who played Flynn did not bring the audience into the show or have any significant appeal to the cast surrounding him.  I also thought his acting was bare minimal to watch and he did not define the Flynn we all know from other works of Chicago.  This role is not for this actor.  I will also discuss the performance of Wendy Williams who played Mama Morton in the show.  Wendy definitely knew how to connect the audience and fellow cast members into her performance, she drew both together very well.  When she made her opening appearance, she threw a "How You Doin" in her opening skit which was very unique especially appealed to the fans of Williams including myself.  However, I can tell she worked very hard at ensuring the lines did not sound like she just read them from the script and made it her own.  She could have used a little more aggressiveness that Mama Morton usually shows.  Wendy's singing was pretty good for the most part, but could have used a little work on some ends.  All in all this was a nice relaxing show to watch mainly just for the great choreography and music.  Go see it, you have time!

Rating - 3/5

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters - Review

Going into this film, I had no idea to expect not really remembering the original Percy Jackson film which was released over 3 years ago.  I go in and the movie takes off right from the start, though it appeared to have no basic plot and just diving into may series of actions by Percy and his friends against another group of individuals.  If there was a story, I missed out on it.  I also didn't enjoy the acting amongst the characters, I thought it was very subpar and was just read out loud with no emphasis.  The only thing that really impressed me about this film were the amazing visual effects and cinematography.  I was really wowed by this the entire film.  A shocker, this film I did see this film in 3D and might I say this film was impressive in 3D and the effects and everything really did come out at you.  This I have not seen in a 3D film in a long time in the many films I have seen this year, it was a nice surprise.  I do recommend this film for the family or just to see something for the heck of it, I think you will walk away with a surprisingly nice reaction.

Rating - 3/5

Planes - Review

The originality of any animated film dealing with electronics is on a steep decline.  This film goes just in with that concept and is no different from a Cars or even Turbo concept.  The motto taught in all these films is the same thing and is getting very tiring.  This film though was semi-enjoyable though it didn't really draw me into the film as much as I had hoped to.  The character interactions I did enjoy though as I thought they all connected very well and there were a few surprise relationships that do connect together which I enjoyed seeing.  Also, the 3D made no difference in this film, it's disappointing at this point it's like your putting glasses on for the heck of it.  I really do not have much to say more than what I have said, this film is your Netflix rental I would say.  If your really bored and have nothing to do with the family, then I suppose go see it in theaters otherwise it's worth the wait.

Rating - 2/5

We're the Millers - Review

This movie at first I had no idea what I was really going into just I was looking forward to seeing the duo of Jason Sudeikis and Jennifer Aniston.  The story was very well done and was quite original from previous comedies in the past.  It was like watching "The Hangover: Part 3" in a way, but with different scenarios.  Sudeikis and Aniston had such a strong chemistry the entire movie and are a great dynamic duo for this film.  Both performances were outstanding and had me cracking up the entire time.  They both filled the roles so well.  I also enjoyed how there was a constant hilarious remarks and lines the entire movie that I was dying of laughter from.  This could be the best comedy of the year so far.  There was not much I disliked about this film except the reality of some things that occur in the movie.  Those "things" you can look for in the film because I do not want to give away any surprises.  Go see this film as I strongly recommend it and it is one of my top of the summer movies.

Rating - 4/5