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Iron Man 3 (Just Walked out the Door EXTENDED Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Fri, 03 May 2013 23:00:00 +0000

Robert Downey Jr. is back as our favorite flying tin can in "Iron Man 3". How does Iron Man stack up to the previous two installments? This week's big challenge: Name the best RDJ movie ever made.

The 2013 Summer Seven (Most Anticipated Movies of the Summer)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Thu, 02 May 2013 23:07:00 +0000

May has arrived and though the weather in these parts more resembles winter right now, the weather at the cineplex is full on summer. With the release of Iron Man 3, summer 2013 kicks off in earnest, and won't let up until August. I've been doing the "Summer Seven" for several years now, highlighting in order the seven summer movies I am most anticipating, and this year is easily the most packed I can remember. Usually I have to leave one or two movies I'm excited about off the list, but this year I have an additional runner up seven that just didn't quite make the cut. World War Z, Great Gatsby, Fast and Furious 6, Much Ado About Nothing, The Lone Ranger, Despicable Me 2, and Elysium all have me excited and yet not a one of them could crack the "Summer Seven" this year. That might mean this could be one of the greatest summers for movies of all time, or it might just mean I'm getting a little too excited for movies that will eventually let me down. Either way, here are the seven movies that did make the list, in order, culminate with my most anticipated movie of Summer 2013.

Remember, it's not necessarily that I think these will be the best seven movies of the summer, but they are the seven I'm most looking forward to seeing.

7. The Wolverine - Hugh Jackman as Wolverine is the through line of the X-Men film universe and even though the movies have been hit or miss, and his X-Men Origins movie was largely on the miss side, I'm excited to see what tricks they might have up their sleeves. In my opinion, the X-Men franchise could be the greatest film franchise of all time if they play their cards right, so it will be very interesting to see what kind of hand we are being dealt with this one.

6. After Earth - Eventually M. Night Shymalan has to remember he can make great movies right? Truth be told, it's the subject matter (post apocalyptic earth) and Mr. Will Smith that have me most geeked to see what this is about. But if M. Night finds his touch again I will be so thrilled I might just forgive him for "The Last Airbender". Wait, just remembering that trauma again, never mind, no forgiveness available. Let's just start with atoning for "The Happening" and go from there.

5. Monsters U - I just find it harder to get excited about Pixar sequels (or prequels) than their originals. Still a Pixar movie is a Pixar movie and Monsters U does look like an interesting setting in which to revisit Mike and Sulley. The most interesting hurdle to jump for the team though may be how to replace what was essentially the heart and soul of the original, Boo. If Monsters U somehow manages to succeed without her I'll once again tip my cap to the greatest story tellers and filmakers working today.

4. Pacific Rim - Of the seven, this is the one I know the least about. I know there will be mechs and monsters and that they will be delivered by a director who is adept at stunning visuals. In the end, I guess that must be enough cause I cannot wait to see what is going on with this one.

3. Man of Steel - Speaking of visual directors, I'm pumped to see what Zach Snyder does with such time honored material especially under the tutelage of Chris "brain bender" Nolan. The problem is I'm not sure if "Dark Knighting" the son of Krypton will actually be a good thing. I miss the days when we focused on the superhero part of superheros more than the alter ego part. If they focus more on Clark Kent than Superman, not only will I end up craving more super powers, I will probably have to make some sort of, "They should have called it, Man with Glasses" joke. Even so, I can't wait.

2. Iron Man 3 - Marvel owns summer these days, and the big guy in the can comes out to play solo for the third time. Let's face it, all they have to do is have a halfway decent story, some cool visual effects, and a partially menacing villian and Robert Downey Jr. will do the rest.

1. Star Trek: Into Darkness - So much to be excited about; JJ Abrams, an incredible cast, Benedict Cumberbatch, and the wonderful characters of the Star Trek universe. Though I know many eyes will be on this to continue to evaluate how JJ will do taking over the Star Wars universe. I'm content to just get another great Star Trek movie, and I'm pretty confident that's exactly what we are getting.

Mud (Movie Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Matthew McConaughey stars as a desperate man needing the help of two kids to reach the woman he loves. Is "Mud" a worthy pursuit?

Pain and Gain (Movie Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:30:00 +0000

Michael Bay, Muscles, and Mayhem. It's more than just alliteration, it's "Pain and Gain". But does the end product work out?

The Place Beyond the Pines (Movie Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:30:00 +0000

Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper could make a great one two punch in "The Place Beyond The Pines", but is the movie itself a knockout?

Oblivion (Movie Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Tom Cruise seems to play a similar character in almost all his films, and the Sci-Fi adventure "Oblivion" is no different. But is that a bad thing?

Matrix (Movie Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:30:00 +0000

14 years later "The Matrix" remains one of the most respected Sci-Fi films of all time. Does it continue to earn that cred? See how far the rabbit hole goes in Round 6 of Geekvolution's Who Reviews the Reviewers contest.

Other finalist's reviews:

RockManLP's Matrix Reloaded Review

SuperHeroEnthusiast's Matrix Revolutions Review

Ginger & Rosa (Movie Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:30:00 +0000

A story about truth, selfishness, and what it's like to be an adolescent girl growing up in war threatened England. Yeah, it's an art film. But is it good?

Monday Stuff (Friends Reunion?, further thoughts on 42, and more!)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:03:00 +0000

Thoughts on the possible Friends reunion, answering your question on racism and the movie 42, and a look ahead to the reviews for the week. It's Monday Stuff!

Oblivion (Just Walked Out the Door EXTENDED Movie Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 23:24:00 +0000

Aaron and Jeremy just saw "Oblivion". Here are there first thoughts on the film with some discussion of Sci-Fi homages, Tom Cruise as an actor, and their favorite Sci-Fi movie inventions.

Trance (Movie Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 09:30:00 +0000

Danny Boyle has a way of telling amazing stories with bold and sometimes controversial visuals. But when you look deeper does "Trance" actually hold up?

Scary Movie 5 (Movie Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

There is a scarcity of true parody films these days. Maybe that's a good thing. Some thoughts on "Scary Movie 5"

42 (Movie Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:30:00 +0000

With all the built in emotion and pathos of the true story of Jackie Robinson is it possible "42" pushes it too far?

Emperor (Movie Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000

Tommy Lee Jones and Matthew Fox team up to tell the story of the end of WWII in Japan and the Japanese Emperor. The story seems interesting enough, but is the movie?

Monday Stuff (Arrested Development, Finding Dory, and More!)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 23:00:00 +0000

This week on a special cooking dinner edition of Monday Stuff, some thoughts on lowering expectations for the new Arrested Development season, answering a question on "Finding Dory", and a look at the reviews for the week.

Jurassic Park 3D (Movie Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000

20 years ago Steven Spielberg put dinosaurs on the big screen and awed audiences. Can 3D and Imax add anything to this experience?

42 (Just Walked Out the Door EXTENDED Movie Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 23:07:00 +0000

Aaron and Jeremy discuss racism, melodrama, Harrison Ford, and baseball in their live immediate reactions to the new movie 42. Also this week's challenge, can you name a baseball movie better than the two they pick?

Evil Dead (Movie Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

The original "Evil Dead" pushed the blood and gore to the limit, the new one takes it even further. But is there anything buried under the guts and entrails?

Tyler Perry's Temptation (Movie Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:30:00 +0000

Tyler Perry's latest takes a look at infidelity and consequence. But what exactly is "Temptation" telling us, and does it tell us well?

Spring Breakers (Movie Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:30:00 +0000

Harmony Korine films are bound to create a stir. Is what he stirs up in "Spring Breakers" worth pursuing?

Monday Stuff (S.H.I.E.L.D. TV Show, Roger Ebert, and More!)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Some thoughts on ABC's upcoming TV Avengers Spin Off, "S.H.I.E.L.D", the passing of Roger Ebert, and a look ahead at reviews for the week.

Olympus Has Fallen (EXTENDED Just Walked Out the Door Movie Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 23:03:00 +0000

Aaron and Jeremy's review this week is a look at "Olympus Has Fallen", Die Hard rip offs, and the most patriotic films they can remember.

The Host (Movie Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000

With the success of "Twilight" it's not a surprise that Stephanie Meyer's "The Host" would pique interest. But is that interested rewarded with a good film?

Admission (Movie Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 10:30:00 +0000

I love Tina Fey and Paul Rudd individually, but how do they work together in the new movie "Admission"?

G.I. Joe Retaliation (Movie Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Aaron Dicer) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

After being moved to 2013 to fix some issues, G.I. Joe Retaliation has finally arrived on the scene. Was it worth waiting for?