American Reunion

Are you ready for the Reunion? Dust off your old letterman's jacket, which doesn't fit anymore. Dig out your yearbook. It's time to go back in time of one night, or at least two hours by watching American Reunion.

For those who may have forgotten, the first movie of this series American Pie was released in 1999. To put that in perspective. Bill Clinton was U.S. President. The Euro was first established and immediately fell in value.  9/11 hasn't happened yet. Cell phones were merely wireless phones. Apple released its Power Macintosh G4. Gas prices were at $1.22 per gallon. TLC's "No Scrubs" was a top song. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? was the top show on TV. The Mandalay Bay opens in Las Vegas. I was 19.

Wow! I was only 19 years old. I remember watching American Pie and relating to the movie, because it corresponded with my own life. It was my first year in college, I was young and looking for girls. I just discovered the internet. Remember Napster?

American Reunion's whole point is to make you remember all of this. The final sequel of the series plays out pretty much exactly as the first. This movie feeds off the original. All the characters you remember return, along with all their jokes and (oh so) funny catchphrases. It doesn't quite get to the point that you'll think you've seen this movie before, but there will definitely be some familiarities. Jim (Jason Biggs) will extremely embarrass himself. Stifler (Seann William Scott) is still the biggest dick in the world. All of the other characters are pretty much exactly the same. Which makes you think, didn't anyone change in the past 13 years?

Oh yeah, it takes place at the 13th year high school reunion. What high school has a 13th year reunion?! The writers briefly explain this. Hoping that you won't care about the details, and just enjoy the movie throwback. A plot for this type of movie really isn't that important anyways. Merely get the characters together and let the hilarity begin.

I will admit that I did laugh out loud. It had its funnier moments. Although, after the movie was finished, I didn't think it was all that funny. Most of the scenes seemed forced and over the top. All the characters had their same conflicts with each other as the first film, expect, in the resolution, all characters involved came out in the positive. Can't there be one bad guy in this film?

I would say that if it wasn't for Eugene Levy who plays Jim's dad, the movie would have been awful. All the biggest laughs came within his scenes.

As for the 90's throwback, the movie did a good job of making you wishing for the past to return. All the same scenes were in the film, ex. Jim's Room. I wished the music was a bit better. It seemed they picked the worst soft pop hits we all claimed not to like.

I give American Reunion E - Entertaining. It was fun to see all the characters again. It wasn't as unforgettable as the original. Most sequels aren't, let alone the third sequel. I'm sure everyone in the theater was in my same age range. I doubt younger audiences will care for this movie. We're the one's with the money though, right? If you graduated high school between 1995 and 2002, you'll probably like this movie. I would recommend it, only if you were a fan of American Pie.

21 Jump Street

"21 Jump Street"...sounds familiar doesn't it? Well if you were born in and or grew up in the 80's, it should!...here's a refresher...

Remember that? Well, that's not what this review is going to be talking about...errr...reviewing. Let's fast forward about 25 years since the TV show first premiered to 2012 where a movie has been made based on the aforementioned TV show.

Now I know what you're probably already thinking. "Great! Another TV show made into a movie?!" "Hollywood has no more originality." Unless you're a girl, then it's more like..."OMG!! Channing Tatum is so hot! I'm totes gonna watch this movie!" Okay, both points of view hold true!...Yeah, I said it! That Tatum dude ain't too shabby looking!

PEOPLE! This is a "summer movie" warm up! In other words, all the ingredients for an enjoyable movie going experience is tossed into this smorgasbord of hilarity, action, a pinch of drama, & a couple surprises!

Surprisingly, the chemistry between Tatum and Hill work really well in the movie. The dumb jock/smart kid combo seems to fit both personas to a T. Without giving the movie away, I'll just say the laughs run rampant throughout the movie. The action scenes (well shot by the way) never feel like they were placed there for the sake of an action scene. And Ice Cube's performance as Capt. Dickson holds it's own among the likes of Beverly Hills Cop's Inspector Todd, Bad Boys' Capt. Howard, & dare I say Top Gun's Stinger!

To sum it all up, 21 Jump Street is a great, must see action/comedy that I highly recommend you go watch in the theaters! I give it an "Awesome" rating!

*Caution, this is the Red Band trailer. May be NSFW (not safe for work)

The Hunger Games

When a movie is made based on a bestselling book, I can never decide whether I should read the book or watch the movie first. Some claim that books are better than movies because they are more detailed and give readers more insight of the characters. Then there are others who stand by movie adaptations because the visuals are so much greater. Either way the ending is going to be ruined for the other.

Example: I read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo before seeing the film and I think it gave me a better understanding of the Swedish society that was lost within the movie. So it helped me enjoy the movie even though I knew who the killer was going to be. On the other hand, I read Jurassic Park after I saw the film and I was glad I did. It was filled with too much scientific bullshit and not enough Dinosaur action. To read or not to read? It is a toss up.

Not only did I read The Hunger Games, I finished all three books before the film was released. I knew going into the film how it ended and how the whole series will end. So how does Hollywood make a movie out of a book that told mostly in the mind of the main character? With creative flashbacks and an added reality TV show. Without giving away too much of the movie, I will just say I found this much more effective. I think if the movie had Katniss Everdeen describe everything that was happening to her instead of purely reacting, it would slow the pacing down and take away the audiences' emotional connection to her.

I loved the way it was filmed. It was gritty, raw, and intense. The camera moves as if you are there in person as events happen. Many fans will enjoy feeling as being apart of  The Hunger Games. Half way through the movie I sorta forgot I was watching a fictional story. You will get invested in the outcome as if you were watching the Amazing Race or something similar.

Jennifer Lawrence was spectacular. She was tough when she needed to be. She was highly emotional when needed. I think she will become the next big name heroine for action movies. I hope she doesn't ruin it with a fluffy chick flick. It will be interesting to see how she expands her character as the sequels are made. There will definitely be sequels. This movie had one of the biggest pre-sale of tickets. I'm certain Lionsgate is already set to push the next film to production before this post ends.

I feel a bit rusty, I just can't get to the point. Go see The Hunger Games, it is a good movie. It is fun and entertaining. If you're into reading I suggest you also pick up the book or add it to the your kindle. You may even what to read it before you see the movie. The suspense will still be in the movie. If you've already read the book, I'm sure my review is already too late.

I give The Hunger Games an E - Entertaining. I enjoyed it. I liked the intensity and pacing of the film. It really didn't feel that long even though I got out of the theater at 3 a.m.

The season is just starting. This summer looks to be epic. I hope I hit my stride before the blockbusters come out swinging.

Hoo roo!!

Evident Return

Summer Legendary Movie Review was highly successful last year. Enough so to bring it back for another run.

So far we have a tentative list which includes a preseason to help prime the pump.

Will we complete the entire list? Will more films be added? Which movie will be deemed Legendary?

You'll have to follow the ride to find out.

Summer Movie Review List

Preseason

March 3 - Project X

March 8 - John Carter

March 16 - 21 Jump Street, -  Casa de Mi Padre

March 23 - Hunger Games,  - The Raid

March 30 - Mirror Mirror,  - Wrath of the Titans

April 6 - American Reunion

Summer Season

May 4 - Avengers

May 11 - Dark Shadows,  - The Dictator

May 18 - Battleship

May 25 - MIB 3

June 1 - Snow White and the Huntsman

June 8 - Prometheus, - Madagascar 3

June 15 - Jack the Giant Killer, - Rock of Ages

June 22- Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Killer,  - Brave

June 29 - G.I. Joe Retaliation

July 3 - Amazing Spider-Man

July 20 - The Dark Knight Rises

August 3 - The Bourne Legacy, - Total Recall

August 17 - Expendables 2

Captain America!!!!!

A quick update here. I will post more tomorrow when I wake up.

GO SEE CAPTAIN AMERICA!!!

If you like war movies...

If you like comics....

If you like Super heroes...

If you like going to the movies in general....

You will love Captain America: The First Avenger. It was Awesomely Legendary!! Run out right now and go see. Marvel kicks ass!!!

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows

So if you read all the Harry Potter books and seen all the previous movies, there is no way you are going to miss this movie. This isn't a hard sell. Mostly everyone is going to see this film this weekend. For chance though, we will just say that you are the one person who hasn't see any of the Harry Potter movies nor have read a single one of the books, and you're asking yourself 'is this movie right for you?'

Are you completely mental?! There is no way you should consider watching this movie if you haven't watched all the other movies at a minimum. This final movie of the Harry Potter saga has been brewing for 14 years. If you are not already a fan, you probably won't be. That is unless you want to give it a try.

So if you do want to try it out. I suggest you first read all the books and watch all the movies one by one. After all that reading and watching of the previous movies, I'm sure you will grow to appreciate what this movie means to the millions of Potter fans worldwide.

That said, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 was EPIC! Just like the books, (and the audience) the movies grew up along the way. This final chapter is dark, emotional, and action packed. The filming and acting was superb. You will believe you're in the wizardry world. It is a must see movie, but only if your have see all the other movies. It gets a L-Legendary for sure.

Next week, Cap's Coming!!!


P.S. - Oh Yeah! I will probably be checking out Winnie the Pooh this weekend too. At 1 hour and 13 minutes who could miss that?

Transformers 3

"We will kill them all!!" - Optimus Prime

Will Optimus Prime please save us from Michael Bay?

Here is what I like about the Transformer movies. 
       Transformers transforming into cool vehicles
       Awesome action scenes with Optimus Prime kicking ass and taking names.
       The transforming sound.

Here is what I hate about the Transformer movies.
       The Humans interaction with the Transformers.
       Humans are able to run around and take part in a HUGE Transformer battle.
       Main human characters don't EVER get hurt even though the Transformers are 40 feet taller than them.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon is exactly what you expect it to be. Lots of action and little story. I enjoyed watching this film just like I enjoyed the previous two. Just knowing that my childhood favorites are on the big movie screen is cool enough for me. What I can't stand is the constant human interference in this movie just like the rest. How come the same five or so human characters, who get into these long played out gun battles with the Decepticons, are walking away alive every time? Shit they all walk away, period. No broken limbs. No scratches  Why doesn't the Decepticons just squash them all.  And why do all the authoritative characters think humans can stop them all without the Autobots help?

The movie should be more like this.

Human: "Oh no the Decepticons are trying to destroy the world....again. Help us Optimus!!!"
Optimus Prime: "Ok, but you need to stay here out of our way. We can't be breaking formation and tactical planning every time one of you humans are about to get squash."
Human: "Ok. Go get 'em!!!"

88 minute Transformer fight scene. Optimus Prime fights Megatron to the death.

Humans shout: "Horray! you've saved us all!!!'
END

Go see Transformers 3. It gets a E-Entertaining. Enjoy the action. Enjoy the crappy humor. Enjoy the awfully annoying human characters. No Transformer movie will be able to capture the same great feeling and movie experience as the first one did. I hope Michael Bay stops the sequels. There are pure let downs in storytelling. Although they are enjoyable Sunday matinees.