WEEKEND PREVIEW: JULY 12TH
From big, gigantic monsters and robots to crude, low-brow humor, July 12th is another big entry to the summer blockbuster holster.
PACIFIC RIM
Guillermo del Toro's take on the "Rock Em' Sock Em" genre is as visually striking as it appears to be, but its script and main characters bring down the awesomeness the effects and Jaegers bring to the film. However, we respect the film for what it is, and for a summer blockbuster, it can be a lot of fun. Just don't focus too hard on the dialogue, and ignore the many cliches. Fun to watch in IMAX. FFTW Score: 3.0/5
Grown Ups 2
Though we didn't get to see this one, the overall consensus is more of the same. If you're a fun of low-brow humor, this will probably be the film for you. If not, we're sure it's a painful ride.
PACIFIC RIM
Guillermo del Toro's take on the "Rock Em' Sock Em" genre is as visually striking as it appears to be, but its script and main characters bring down the awesomeness the effects and Jaegers bring to the film. However, we respect the film for what it is, and for a summer blockbuster, it can be a lot of fun. Just don't focus too hard on the dialogue, and ignore the many cliches. Fun to watch in IMAX. FFTW Score: 3.0/5
Grown Ups 2
Though we didn't get to see this one, the overall consensus is more of the same. If you're a fun of low-brow humor, this will probably be the film for you. If not, we're sure it's a painful ride.
WEEKEND PREVIEW: JULY 5TH
Out of nowhere, we're already at 4th of July weekend. Boy time flies. Anyway, 4th of July weekend is said to be one of the busiest of weekends for movie theaters across the U.S. Thankfully, there are some awesome films to check out this weekend. From minions to Water parks, there's no reason for you not to hit the cinema this weekend.
DESPICABLE ME 2
The minions are back! The sequel to the highly successful animated feature "Despicable Me" is here, and it's tons of fun. The animated sequel is sure to bring something for everyone. Kids will absolutely love the film, and it's more likely than not that parents will enjoy the view as well. It's not quite as sharp as the first film, but in my opinion it's sharper than Monsters U. and is totally worth your time if you enjoy the genre. FFTW Score: 4.0/5
THE LONE RANGER
From talented director Gore Verbinski and the team that brought you "Pirates", "The Lone Ranger" is a very long western (At least, it tries to be) based on the show from the 70's. Johnny Depp gives an enjoyable and likable performance, but the rest of the film is a mere disaster. An overly long, painful two and a half hours of a film. FFTW Score: 2.0/5
THE WAY, WAY BACK
From the team that wrote "The Descendants", Nat Faxon and Jim Rash present this smart "Dramedy" based on the life of a young teen with a troubled family situation. Its themes are suggestive to many other films within the same genre, but The Way, Way Back is still an amazingly acted, funny and poignant coming of age film. FFTW Score: 4.0/5
DESPICABLE ME 2
The minions are back! The sequel to the highly successful animated feature "Despicable Me" is here, and it's tons of fun. The animated sequel is sure to bring something for everyone. Kids will absolutely love the film, and it's more likely than not that parents will enjoy the view as well. It's not quite as sharp as the first film, but in my opinion it's sharper than Monsters U. and is totally worth your time if you enjoy the genre. FFTW Score: 4.0/5
THE LONE RANGER
From talented director Gore Verbinski and the team that brought you "Pirates", "The Lone Ranger" is a very long western (At least, it tries to be) based on the show from the 70's. Johnny Depp gives an enjoyable and likable performance, but the rest of the film is a mere disaster. An overly long, painful two and a half hours of a film. FFTW Score: 2.0/5
THE WAY, WAY BACK
From the team that wrote "The Descendants", Nat Faxon and Jim Rash present this smart "Dramedy" based on the life of a young teen with a troubled family situation. Its themes are suggestive to many other films within the same genre, but The Way, Way Back is still an amazingly acted, funny and poignant coming of age film. FFTW Score: 4.0/5
weekend preview: june 28th
Here we are, the last week of June, not a bad start to the summer. It has sure been an interesting month. From zombies to superheroes to animations to buddy cop films, it's been a crazy month. Here are the releases for the 28th.
WHITE HOUSE DOWN
Roland Emmerich is back in business this summer, this time with the Olympus Has Fallen similar clone "White House Down". Staring Channing Tatum and Jaime Foxx, White House Down is a well acted film and has a decent chemistry bond between the two actors. Still, it's a film clattered with plot holes and weak dialogue. It's your typical dumb summer blockbuster.
THE HEAT
From director Paul Feig comes the buddy cop comedy, "The Heat". We didn't get the chance to see this one, but have heard the chemistry between the two is decent and the film works pretty well. Others say it's not great and for the most prat is annoyingly bland and un-funny.
BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS:
1. Monsters University: 49.5 Million
2. White House Down: 38.5 Million
3. World War Z: 31.5 Million
WHITE HOUSE DOWN
Roland Emmerich is back in business this summer, this time with the Olympus Has Fallen similar clone "White House Down". Staring Channing Tatum and Jaime Foxx, White House Down is a well acted film and has a decent chemistry bond between the two actors. Still, it's a film clattered with plot holes and weak dialogue. It's your typical dumb summer blockbuster.
THE HEAT
From director Paul Feig comes the buddy cop comedy, "The Heat". We didn't get the chance to see this one, but have heard the chemistry between the two is decent and the film works pretty well. Others say it's not great and for the most prat is annoyingly bland and un-funny.
BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS:
1. Monsters University: 49.5 Million
2. White House Down: 38.5 Million
3. World War Z: 31.5 Million
WEEKEND PREVIEW: JUNE 21ST
June has told us movie fans to come popcorn able, as it's filled with crazy anticipated films. In fact, it's debatable that the weekend of June 21st may indeed be the most crowded weekend at the box office this summer. Whether your in the mood for Pixar Animation, Zombie goodness, or Bling, June 21st packs something for everyone.
MONSTERS UNIVERSITY
PIXAR is back yet again this summer, this time trying to gain it's presence and following back from it's fans. While "Monsters University" may have not been the best choice for PIXAR, they still managed to make an enjoyable, colorful, and comedic picture. Sure, it has it's flaws and definitely isn't among the studio's best work, but it's a step in the right direction for sure. Rated G and also available to view in REALD 3D.
WORLD WAR Z
Marc Forster's adaption of the thrilling novel, "World War Z", gave a bad impression to fans of the book, and fans of zombies. And while the film isn't as bad as it could have been, the plot holes and script stick out like sour thumbs, and there are many things in the film that don't quite make sense. But, there is quite a good amount of frightening scenes in the film, and the 3D is pretty damn awesome, but i would pass unless your a true zombie fan and have this under your "Must See" list.
BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS:
1. MAN OF STEEL: $52 MILLION
2. MONSTERS U. : $41 MILLION
3. WORLD WAR Z: $30 MILLION
MONSTERS UNIVERSITY
PIXAR is back yet again this summer, this time trying to gain it's presence and following back from it's fans. While "Monsters University" may have not been the best choice for PIXAR, they still managed to make an enjoyable, colorful, and comedic picture. Sure, it has it's flaws and definitely isn't among the studio's best work, but it's a step in the right direction for sure. Rated G and also available to view in REALD 3D.
WORLD WAR Z
Marc Forster's adaption of the thrilling novel, "World War Z", gave a bad impression to fans of the book, and fans of zombies. And while the film isn't as bad as it could have been, the plot holes and script stick out like sour thumbs, and there are many things in the film that don't quite make sense. But, there is quite a good amount of frightening scenes in the film, and the 3D is pretty damn awesome, but i would pass unless your a true zombie fan and have this under your "Must See" list.
BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS:
1. MAN OF STEEL: $52 MILLION
2. MONSTERS U. : $41 MILLION
3. WORLD WAR Z: $30 MILLION
The Weekend of 8/24: Premium Rush, The Apparition, and Hit and Run.
Article Written By: John Lupo (Head Writer)
8/22- 11:35 AM
The Apparition: Should You Go?
There are a few things you should now about this upcoming horror, 'The Apparition.' One, it isn't being screened for any press whatsoever. While it isn't always a bad sign that a film isn't being screened for press, the "audience" advance screenings are all scheduled for the 23rd, and late screenings at that. The one at Silver Spring is at 8 PM. This signifies that the studio doesn't quite wanna get the word out on this film. They know it will be BAD. And judging by the trailer, don't we see enough of these movies? Waste your money on cheap horror? I think its time for a break. We'll see another one of these films soon (The Possesion) and it will be trash. Skip "The Apparition" this weekend, because it won't even be scary (hence the PG-13 rating), and it will be a waste of your time. I'm predicting this will go a 15% on RT this weekend, with a 40% audience score by the end of the weekend.
Premium Rush: Should You Go?
Joseph Gordon Levitt is an awesome dude, no denying it. And all the films he's been in (TDKR, Inception, 50/50) are awesome. But this one....... not so sure. Judging from the trailers from "Premium Rush", its obvious that this one could be a terrible mess. For one, "Premium Rush" is also not being screened for press members until Wednesday and Thursday, not a great sign. I'm not saying that Premium Rush could be as bad as "The Apparition" or end up being a total bust, but i'm telling you not to see it with high expectations. I have a small hope like most of you out there that Premium Rush could be something, given David Koepp's film record, and the fact that it is shot LIVE with Joseph Gordon Levitt high speed biking and dodging cars, that sounds totally awesome. But at the same time, i'm not so sure. The trailers make it seem like it could be a jumble up, failed attempt at making an "action biking movie," which of course has never been done. I'll have my take up on friday morning (I'll be attending a thursday night screening), but for now, since it isn't been screened for critics until late, and because this type of film has never been done before, Premium Rush could be a miserable mess. But at the same time, David Koepp has a solid film record, and the live action scenes shot in the film are promising, so what the hell? If you're action hungry, and don't have HIGH expectations for this one, i'd say check it out. I'm predicting this will go from a 40%-55% by the end of the weekend with a 70% audience score.
Hit and Run: Should You Go?
Having actually already scene this film, i can give you a real, honest take about what to expect for this movie. You can check out our review of the film in the "Film Reviews" section, but for now i'll just give you a short take on it. "Hit & Run" is a hit or miss film. You have to have an odd taste in film to enjoy this one. If you're an average movie goer that visits the theater to see mainstream films that are crowd pleasers like "The Expendables 2" or "Brave", you won't enjoy this one. It's one of the oddest films i've seen in my life. It tries to pull off so many different genres, and tries to make crude, nasty jokes fit in with the premise. I wouldn't recommend it, but at the same time some may enjoy it. I just don't know.
There are a few things you should now about this upcoming horror, 'The Apparition.' One, it isn't being screened for any press whatsoever. While it isn't always a bad sign that a film isn't being screened for press, the "audience" advance screenings are all scheduled for the 23rd, and late screenings at that. The one at Silver Spring is at 8 PM. This signifies that the studio doesn't quite wanna get the word out on this film. They know it will be BAD. And judging by the trailer, don't we see enough of these movies? Waste your money on cheap horror? I think its time for a break. We'll see another one of these films soon (The Possesion) and it will be trash. Skip "The Apparition" this weekend, because it won't even be scary (hence the PG-13 rating), and it will be a waste of your time. I'm predicting this will go a 15% on RT this weekend, with a 40% audience score by the end of the weekend.
Premium Rush: Should You Go?
Joseph Gordon Levitt is an awesome dude, no denying it. And all the films he's been in (TDKR, Inception, 50/50) are awesome. But this one....... not so sure. Judging from the trailers from "Premium Rush", its obvious that this one could be a terrible mess. For one, "Premium Rush" is also not being screened for press members until Wednesday and Thursday, not a great sign. I'm not saying that Premium Rush could be as bad as "The Apparition" or end up being a total bust, but i'm telling you not to see it with high expectations. I have a small hope like most of you out there that Premium Rush could be something, given David Koepp's film record, and the fact that it is shot LIVE with Joseph Gordon Levitt high speed biking and dodging cars, that sounds totally awesome. But at the same time, i'm not so sure. The trailers make it seem like it could be a jumble up, failed attempt at making an "action biking movie," which of course has never been done. I'll have my take up on friday morning (I'll be attending a thursday night screening), but for now, since it isn't been screened for critics until late, and because this type of film has never been done before, Premium Rush could be a miserable mess. But at the same time, David Koepp has a solid film record, and the live action scenes shot in the film are promising, so what the hell? If you're action hungry, and don't have HIGH expectations for this one, i'd say check it out. I'm predicting this will go from a 40%-55% by the end of the weekend with a 70% audience score.
Hit and Run: Should You Go?
Having actually already scene this film, i can give you a real, honest take about what to expect for this movie. You can check out our review of the film in the "Film Reviews" section, but for now i'll just give you a short take on it. "Hit & Run" is a hit or miss film. You have to have an odd taste in film to enjoy this one. If you're an average movie goer that visits the theater to see mainstream films that are crowd pleasers like "The Expendables 2" or "Brave", you won't enjoy this one. It's one of the oddest films i've seen in my life. It tries to pull off so many different genres, and tries to make crude, nasty jokes fit in with the premise. I wouldn't recommend it, but at the same time some may enjoy it. I just don't know.