2014 Summer Movie Season - Think Like A Man Too: Review & Analysis

 

 

Bet on Black!!!! Kevin and The Gang return for Vegas Mayhem!!!!

By Brandon Porter

12 friends, in Las Vegas, for their Bachelor and Bachelorette parties.
 What could go wrong?

Story

                Years after a book by Steve Harvey brought them together, Cedric (Kevin Hart), Dominic (Michael Ealy), Lauren (Taraji P. Henson), Candace (Regina Hall), Maya (Megan Good) Zeke (Romany Malco), Jeremy (Jerry Ferrera), Michael (Terrance J), and Kristen (Gabrielle Union) come together for a wedding in Las Vegas. As they are about to embark on their separate engagement parties, a little wager is placed: Who can throw the best Bachelor/Bachelorette party. Chaos and mayhem ensues as an epic battle of the sexes takes place in the party capitol of the world as one of the couples prepares to walk down the aisle.

It's called the "Sin City" for a reason.

Analysis

Over the last few months, Kevin Hart is quickly earning the mantle of the hardest working man in Hollywood, with three films already under his belt, this fourth trip to the box office was meet with high expectations. Those expectations were met head on. Think like a Man Too took home the box office crown with a $30 Million dollar opening weekend in a relatively quiet weekend at the movies. Critics gave the film a dissatisfying 24% rotten ratting on Rotten Tomatoes but got an uplifting 75% fresh rating from audiences. In the end, the film served as a nice weekend treat for fans of Kevin Hart and fans of the first film. In the long run, the film set the stage for the box office conquest of Michael Bay’s Transformers: Age of Extinction.

The most intimidating group of inmates you'll ever meet.

 

Review

                As a fan of the first Think Like a Man, I was eager to see how the gang would top the sleeper comedic hit of 2012. I have to say after seeing the film, Think Like a Man Too is both a hit and a miss. The film definitely has that same comedic aura that made the first film so memorable. Part of that is due to the excellent camaraderie of Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, Taraij P Henson, and the rest of the cast. In terms of comedic execution, it is Kevin Hart who holds the film together. It’s true that the others try to pull their own weight, but Hart does a great job in making sue things never get to dull or boring. I always appreciate his ability to carry a film as well as keeping people invested in what is happening on screen. The one thing that I didn’t like about the film is the fact that it really loses the substance aspect. Sure, it does good in making you laugh, but it’s the emotional string that made the first film fun and engaging. This time around it just looks like they are doing the sequel for fun which is to me the best and worst thing about the movie. Overall, Think Like A Man Too is a solid film that has it’s flaws, but still manages to be an entertaining film none the less. It’s a film that the audience and the cast enjoyed experiencing.

Rating and Final Thoughts

Delivers on the laughs, but loses the emotional formula that worked the first time. A fun and satisfying sequel not to be taken too seriously.

Word to the wise, what happens in Vegas…well you know the rest.

2014 Summer Movie Season - How To Train Your Dragon 2: Review & Analysis

 

 

How to Make a Sequel!!! Second Dragon Film Tops The Original in Every Way!!!!

By: Brandon Porter







 

 

 

 

 

 

Hiccup and Toothless: Dragon. Viking. Friends for Life!!!

 

Story

                5 years ago, Dragons had been a serious issue for the Vikings of the Island of Berk. However, things changed a young misfit Viking named Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) befriended a young Night Fury dragon named Toothless. The two formed a bond that not only defined them both and brought their two worlds together. Since then, Hiccup has grown into a promising young Viking and the Island of Berk has welcomed the dragons as part of their home. But soon, a maniacal dragon master comes to Berk looking to claim all the dragons as his own. Faced with a tremendous task to protect their home, Toothless, Hiccup, and their friends team up to face the impending threat and get help from an unlikely ally. A dragon tamer named Valka, who is a skilled dragon expert and shockingly…Hiccup’s long lost mother.

 

 

 

Hiccup connects with his long lost mother Valka.

 

Analysis

When your making a sequel to a film that was as critically acclaimed as the first How To Train Your Dragon was, there is no denying that pressure is at its highest. How To Train Your Dragon 2 came in with high expectations and it met those expectations beautifully. How To Train Your Dragon 2 garnered a terrific 93% certified fresh rating via rotten tomatoes among audiences and critics. Peter Debruge of Variety praised the film and its ambitions: "The pressures to make a giant four-quadrant monstrosity must be enormous, and yet, like his unflappable hero Hiccup, How to Train Your Dragon 2 writer-director Dean DeBlois has prevailed, serving up DreamWorks Animation’s strongest sequel yet — one that breathes fresh fire into the franchise, instead of merely rehashing the original. Braver than Brave, more fun than Frozen, and more emotionally satisfying than so many of its live-action counterparts, Dragon delivers. And good thing, too, since DWA desperately needs another toon to cross the half-billion-dollar threshold." In another review, Bill Goodykoontz of The Arizona Republic awarded the film four out of five stars, saying "It seemed as if there was nowhere new to go after the first film, but this is a richer story that dares to go darker and is thus more rewarding." Even though it didn’t’ secure number one at the box office, How to Train Your Dragon 2 still did financially well garnering the #2 spot with $49 million and a worldwide total of $75,551,322 million. With a more than successful second run, the sky is the limit, no pun intended, for the riders of Berk to reach the animated blockbuster prosimsed land.

 

Toothless and Hiccup bravely take on the mighty Alpha male!!!

 

Review

                Regrettably, I admittedly was late to get on the “How to Train Your Dragon” bus. I had only heard what others had said but I never got around to seeing the film. When I finally did see it, I could see why everyone loved it so much. Though it wasn’t the greatest animated film ever, it still was a good movie and I enjoyed it very much. After seeing the sequel, I can happily say that this second installment is better in every aspect. I loved this movie and everything about it. The film established the already familiar world and expanded it beautifully. The animation is truly stunning. With striking detail on each character including the dragons captured in terrific fashion. This is truly an eye candy treat of a film. The characters all have seen changes in this sequel as well. Hiccup changed tremendously in this film and is displayed as a built, tall, and mature young Viking. It’s hard to believe he was the scrawny and lanky kid in the first film. Others have their share of physical and emotional growth as they progress from childhood to adulthood. Voice acting was solid as well. All the veterans like Gerald Butler, Jay Barachel, America Feerea, and others don’t miss a beat in their second go around. The new characters like Valka, voiced by Academy award winner Cate Blanchett was a welcome edition. Blanchett gives a terrific voice performance and really made Valka instantly likable and full of life and substance. Dijimon Hounsou is equally good as Drago Bludvist. He owns the role as the film’s terrific villain. Action was one of the big plusses of this film. Though the action was good in the first movie, this film turned it up a notch for the second go around. Thrilling and engaging sequences mixed with the stellar animation made for some pretty awesome set pieces. However, the thing that sets this film apart from its predecessor is its emotional impact. The film is much more emotionally evoking that the first film. I saw the first movie and connected with these characters. In the second one, I found I was more vulnerable to anything that happened to them. Scenes in the film tugged at my heartstrings big time and really helped me become invested in the gripping storytelling. That’s how I know this film was something that was heartfelt and engaging. Overall, I applaud the folks at DreamWorks for put its best foot forward with How to Train Your Dragon 2. The film built on what made the first movie so special and created a sequel that was more engaging, more exciting, and more fun. Here’s to more memorable adventures in Berk down the road.

 

 

 

Rating and Final Thoughts

Tops the first film in every way. Beautiful Animation and rich storytelling brimming with Exciting Action and hard hitting emotion make this one of the best animated films I’ve seen since Wreck-it Ralph.

 

 

 

 

After a second adventure, rest assure Toothless and Hiccup will be back for more adventures soon enough.

 

 

 

 

 

2014 Summer Movie Season - Edge of Tomorrow: Review & Analysis

 

 

 

 

Deja View!!!! Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt’s Sci-Fi Epic Delivers Good Action With Little Lasting Impact.

By: Brandon Porter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Live. Die. Repeat.

Story

            In the distant future, humanity finds itself in a brutal war with an extraterrestrial species known as the Mimics. Finding themselves on the brink of extinction, humanity launches a full scale assault on the beach in France looking to take the enemy by surprise. Major William Cage (Tom Cruise) visits London only to discover that he will be shipping out with the battalion heading the assault team. Though he is indeed a high ranking officer, Cage has no combat experience or training required to survive in battle. Thinking he has avoided conflict, Cage soon wakes up stripped of his high rank and thrown into the fire and as a result is killed in minutes. However, instead of his life ending, he finds himself back to the day before he ships out. Confused and uneasy, he catches the attention of Sargent Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt) who just so happens to know exactly what Cage is experiencing being she experienced the same ability herself. Together, Cage and Vrataski must find a way to utilize this power and somehow end the war that they are destined to lose.

 

 

Rita and Cage meet with each other in their battle suits.

 

 

Analysis

Edge of Tomorrow came into the summer movie season at a disadvantage in terms of release date. Going up against the more anticipated Fault in our Stars movie, the film faced a considerable task of playing the underdog in the box office. Critically, the film was extremely well received. It garnered a terrific 90% certified fresh rating from critics and an equally impressive 90% fresh rating from audiences. Variety’s Justin Chang called the film "a cleverly crafted and propulsively executed sci-fi thriller" and Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter stated that the film was "a narratively ambitious sci-fi actioner" that "takes a relatively playful attitude toward the familiar battle tropes". He adds that despite the film’s humor, he felt the time loop premise "tedious" and that "the final stretch becomes dramatically unconvincing and visually murky". However, despite the critical strength, Edge of Tomorrow fell hard at the box office only nabbing the #3 spot behind Maleficent and The Fault in our Stars. As of June 8^th, the film has grossed $140.1 million worldwide. Edge of Tomorrow was clerly an underdog looking the rise to the challenge. Despite the great critical acclaim, the film failed to deliver the right goods to topple its young adult competitor. 

 



Cage and Rita in the heat of battle against the mimics on the beach.

 

 

 

Review

            Edge of Tomorrow really didn’t catch my attention in the very beginning. Yes, it was sci-fi which is right up my alley, but it just didn’t seem like something I would be all giddy about. Despite all of this, I gave the film a shot and saw it in IMAX. Afterwards, I can say it is a balanced experienced. I didn’t hate the film and I didn’t love the film. I liked it, but not enough to really boast about it like I hoped. The film is built on the concept of Cage reliving the same horrific death over and over and growing after every experience. It is a concept I haven’t come across yet and I must say it kind made me feel uneasy. Over the course of the film, Cage dies and is returned to the day before the attack. The concept is solid but my view of it left me a little sour. Seeing the same sequence over and over kind of got old in a way. Probably because I’m so used to a straight line narrative where it stays on a path and no one repeats the same thing. But there are plenty of positives about the film. One, the film is surprisingly humorous. From the death scenes to the dialogue, the film help keep things from getting too dull by offering some mild laughs along the way. Acting wise, Tom Cruise is solid in this film. He plays Cage as a wet puppy who’s lost his way in the beginning and by the midpoint he is a certified badass. Watching him switch character traits was fun to watch. After every death, he becomes more aware, more focused, and more precise. His character completely changes near the film’s climax. This truly show Cruise’s strength as an actor. Emily Blunt is given a good all-around role in the film. She displays a keen sense of authority and sensualness that blend together nicely. I would have like to see her in a more dynamic role given her likability. Action was good in the film as well. Sequences were fun to watch and really moved the story forward. Unfortunately, there was no standout sequence that really stuck with me in this film and to me that really bummed me out. For an action film of this scale, the fact there was no memorable action scene that I will fondly remember is underwhelming to say the least and really effects the film’s lasting impact. All in all, I liked Edge of Tomorrow, but I felt pretty uneven about the product given I didn’t care for the “Groundhog Day” concept and the film’s lack of a standout action sequence. It won’t make my worst film list, but it is in no way is making my top 5 for this year.

 

Rating and Final Thoughts

Edge of Tomorrow shines with its humor and action. It has the ingredients of a blockbuster, but just doesn’t quite have the right punch to make it a standout amongst the competition.

 

 

 

 

 

Given I liked the film, I really doubt I will want to experience the film again. Let’s just call it an enjoyable “One Time Thing”

 

2014 Summer Movie Season - The Fault in our Stars: Review & Analysis

 

 

 

 

 

Little Fault with These Stars!!!! Big Screen Adaptation of John Green’s Acclaimed Novel Delivers Solid “Feels” and Great Performances!!!

By: Brandon Porter

This is the story...of their little infinite.

 

Story

            Life as a teenager is a very tough road. It’s even tougher when you’re a teenager living with a severe case of terminal cancer. With an oxygen tank as her only companion, Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley) is living with her illness one day at a time. When her mother attempts to get her out of her shell by signing her up in a support group for cancer patients, Hazel’s meets Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort), a former basketball player whose cancer caused him to lose his leg. Soon, the two of them begin a life changing relationship that will challenge them physically, emotionally, and spiritually and discover that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be extraordinary. 

 

 

 

 

Hazel and Augustus enjoy a romantic dinner in Amsterdam.

 

 

 

 

Analysis

Serving as the second big screen novel adaptation for Ansel Elgort and Shailene Woodley, The Fault in Our Stars seemed to generate more hype than the duos previous film Divergent. With all the high expectations surrounding it, the film still managed to live up to it. The film garnered a solid 82% certified fresh rating via rotten tomatoes and took number one at the box office with overall average of $65,292,000 million. Critics sang their praises of the film as well. Matthew Pejkovic of Matt's Movie Reviews commented that, "while The Fault in Our Stars can be overbearingly schlocky at times, it is also an emotionally heartfelt film, especially in regards to the central romance that is sure to make the target audience swoon". Rolling Stone’s Peter Travers stated that the film was a "fresh, lively love story, brimming with humor and heartbreak" while praising Woodley’s performance as Hazel. Critics and fans unanimously agreed that The Fault in Our Stars is a solidly done film that captures the emotion and magic that has made the book a must read and the film a must see.

 

 

Who says cancer-patients can't live life on the edge. 

 

 

Review

            Granted, I never read John Green’s novel “The Fault in Our Stars”. But I heard enough about it and read fans insight to know this was a film I had to pay attention to. Granted the story was intriguing enough and the actors were likable enough to me to the point where I was able to be able to give the film a chance. With all the hype on it and going in having not read the book, I’m happy to say the film still delivered strong. The movie was a very refreshing break from the super hero sci-fi popcorn fest that has occurred so far in this summer movie season. Given how difficult adapting a novel into a film is, The movie captures the book’s essence well enough to where people who haven’t read the novel can still be invested in the story. This is one reason why I enjoyed the film as much as I did. Acting wise, the film was as solid as I hoped it would be. Shailene Woodley is at her best in her role as Hazel. Her acting has come a long way and you can clearly see she is invested in her performance being she is an avid fan of the novel herself. She definitely shows signs of true greatness as her career continues to skyrocket. Ansel Elgort however, is one of the film’s biggest bright spots. The guy is damn near impossible not to like in this film. He displays a bright personality, undeniable charm, and terrific depth that I sometimes thought he wasn’t playing his character and was actually being himself. But Ansel plays the role wonderfully and established himself as a must watch Hollywood star. Chemistry was another plus in this movie. The camaraderie between Ansel and Shailene is as strong as you can imagine. They feed off each other’s strengths and make a great one two punch throughout the film. A constant warning that fans and moviegoers have said is that the film is very emotional and will make you cry. Granted, I did not cry, but that didn’t mean that the scenes were not emotional. I did feel that if I had read the book beforehand I would have been as emotionally involved as the water work inducing fan girls that sat behind me and joined them in the chorus of tears and sobs. But alas, I didn’t read it. But the film still did a good job in making the film good enough to cater fans and non-readers alike. That is something that has to be commended. Overall, The Fault in our Stars deserves credit for doing what few young adult film adaptions have been able to do: make a film that pleases the fans of the book and those who have never read it. This definitely belongs in the conversation as one of the best book to film adaptations around.

 

Rating and Final Thoughts

Great Acting, balanced humor, and strong emotion make the adaption of John Green’s beloved book a terrific piece of film that should make its talented novelist proud.

 

With all the hype surrounding it, the inspiring love story of Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters dances into the hearts of fans and moviegoers alike to become the big hit of the summer it hoped to be.

2014 Summer Movie Season - Month 2 Preview (June 2014)

Lucky Month #6!!!! Dragons Fly, Fault Gets in Stars, and Autobots Roll Out in June Film Lineup!!!

By Brandon Porter

 

 

 

            Happy Wednesday Followers!!! With one month of the summer movie season in the books, we head into the second month which shapes up to be a blast. June always offers some of the best quality summer blockbusters and this year is no different. Let’s breakdown the big-time films set to release this June.

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Divergent stars Ansel Elgort and Shailene Woodley
Return in the anticipated adaption of John Green's
Beloved Novel

The Fault in Our Stars (20^th Century Fox, June 6th)

            Based on the celebrated romance novel by author John Green, Divergent stars Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort reunite as cancer patients Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters. Diagnosed at the age of thirteen, Hazel has tried to adjust to life living with cancer. In an attempt to have her mingle, her parents sign her up for group therapy. There, she meet Augustus Waters, a fellow cancer patient who instantly takes a liking to her. Together, they go on an incredible journey where they learn that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be extraordinary. With hype on this film as big any young adult novel, The Fault in Our Stars is poised to be the biggest hit of the summer and quite possibly the greatest romance film of the decade.

 

 

 

 

 

Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt suit up in this epic sci-fi
action adventure.

Edge of Tomorrow (Warner Bros. Pictures/Village Roadshow, June 6th)

            How would you react if you had to relive a horrific day over and over and over again? How would you react if that horrific day consisted of you dying in a variety of different ways? Scientist Cage can attest to that because that is exactly what he is experiencing. After going into battle against a formidable alien race, Cage finds himself dying then reliving the same event multiple times. With the help of a commanding officer who once experienced the same thing, Cage must use this bizarre condition to save mankind and win the war that was thought to be lost. Starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt, Edge of Tomorrow is the live action depiction of the Japanese manga, All You Need Is Kill. Brimming with action, adventure, and thrills, Edge of Tomorrow looks to make a statement for all the upcoming sci-fi films in the summer movie season.

 

 

Young Viking Hiccup returns in the sequel to the 2010
critically acclaimed animated masterpiece.

How To Train Your Dragon 2 (20th Century Fox/DreamWorks, June 13th)

            Follow-up to the highly acclaimed film How to Train Your Dragon, Hiccup and Toothless are back in another high flying adventure. Years after the dragons were discovered, the Vikings of Berk have welcomed the Dragons into their home and trained them as companions. But when a mysterious dragon hunter comes to claim the dragons, Hiccup, Toothless, and their friends must stand together to face the threat in addition to receiving help from a huge person from Hiccup’s past. Jay Barachel, America Fererra, and Jonah Hill return for the highly anticipated sequel of one of the best reviewed films of the decade. The dragons ride again looking to soar into audience’s hearts once more.

 

 

Kevin Hart and the boys are back to bring some trouble
to the sin city.

Think Like a Man Too (Screen Gems, June 20th)

            What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Cedric, Dominic, Zeke, and Jeremy all hope that saying holds up true as they are back in the sequel to the 2012 sleeper hit Think Like a Man. Arriving in Las Vegas for one of the friend’s wedding, Cedric and the gang make a friendly wager with their female counter parts: Who can throw the best bachelor/bachelorette party? What ensues is a hysterical night of mishaps that land both sexes in unprecedented situations of peril and possible incarceration. Superstar Kevin Hart returns alongside Regina Hall, Megan Good, Michael Ealy, Gabrielle Union, Romany Malco, Taraji P Henson, and others return in what looks to be the big comedic film to watch this summer. Get your chips ready, it’s a party in Vegas!!!

 

 

The "robots in disguise" make their long awaited return
to the summer movie screen in the latest installment
of the action packed franchise.

Transformers: Age of Extinction (Paramount Pictures, June 27th)

            Since the horrific Decepticon attack on Chicago, the government has put a hit out for all transformer units…including Optimus Prime and the Autobots. When a single father/inventor comes across Optimus himself, the government, the autobots, and a mysterious interstellar bounty hunter descend upon him and his family in a battle that will shape earth as we know it. Serving as a semi-reboot of the Transformers franchise, Michael Bay returns to the director’s chair to bring the action packed series back to its old stomping grounds. With an all new cast consisting of Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz, Stanley Tucci and others, Transformers Age of Extinction looks to return the franchise back to its rightful place as the king of the summer blockbusters!!!

 

Laughs, Action, Tears, and Explosions a plenty await in a jam-packed month of June. Stay tuned for the reviews of these films in the coming days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014 Summer Movie Season - Month By Month Recaps

Month 1 Recap (May 2014)

Hey Followers, The opening month of the summer movie season is in the books. It was an action packed month filled with thrills, shocks, and laughs. Let’s look back at the films experienced in the month of May.

Here Are Some Of Standout Films That Were Released This Month

 

 

The Amazing Spider Man 2

Sony Pictures got the Summer Movie Season ball rolling with The Amazing Spider-Man 2. The film displayed great action but somewhat spent a little too much time trying to be like Marvel Studios by building the Spider-Man universe at a risky pace. With a sequel in motion for 2016, lots of changes await for the franchise as it preps to build it’s universe and truly allow the franchise to live up to it’s name.

 

Godzilla

                On May 16^th, the king of the monsters made a triumphant return to cinemas in the Garth Edwards retelling of Godzilla. The film displayed tremendous visual fiber as well as delivering amazing monster action. The actors all pulled their share of the weight as they performed to the best of their abilities. However, the film’s big star was what the fans REALLY wanted to see and he came up big after a 16 year absence. Sequel talks have already begun as Godzilla stands tall and is ready to take the 21^st Century by storm.

 

 

 

 

 

X-Men Days of Future Past

                Establishing itself as the true standout in the movies that came out in May, X-Men Days of Future Past was a true marvel that delivered an all-star cast and an emotionally powerful story. Bringing together the X-Men from the past and present was truly an amazing sight and it was handled with great care. Now, the X-Men franchise has in a way been given new life for the next generation to enjoy. The first step to that new life begins in May of 2016 with the release of the upcoming sequel, X-Men: Apocalypse.

 

 

 

 

Here is a Breakdown on How the Following Films Did Financially and Among Critics

 

Best Box Office Numbers

1 The Amazing Spider Man 2: $690,030,000 Million

2 X-Men Days of Future Past: $500,151,201Million

3 Godzilla: $374,439,686 Million

 

 

Best Critical Success (via. Rotten Tomatoes)

1 X-Men Days of Future Past: (92% Certified Fresh)

2 Godzilla: (73% Certified Fresh)

3 The Amazing Spider Man 2: (53%)

 

That recaps the month of May. What Was the Best Film You Saw This Month? Be sure to stay tuned for all the latest post throughout the summer. See You Soon