tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81094780906700560762024-09-05T15:55:46.516-07:00Yet another movie review site. Take it or leave it. Honestly though, due to the inumerable ammount of time I spend watching and collecting films, you may discover that its worth your time. Probably. I'll keep you fairly up to date on what I have seen and how I felt about it so feel free to leave comments on my reviews. Thanks for stopping by.Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-25119118874059718022013-04-30T01:37:00.002-07:002013-04-30T01:37:54.669-07:00

Pain and Gainwritten by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeelydirected by Michael Bay Starring Mark Wahlberg, Duane Johnson, Anthony Mackie and Tony Shalhoub Rated R 129 Minutes The best thing that can be said about Michael Bay's "Pain and Gain" is that, like most of its characters, it is pumped full of steroids.  This is such a sporadic and clumsy picture, that to call it

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-1153492353960944312013-04-23T00:44:00.001-07:002013-04-23T00:44:29.118-07:00

Oblivion written by Joseph Kosinski &Karl Gajdusek & Michael Arndt directed by Joseph Kosinski Starring Tom Cruise, Olga Kurylenko and Morgan Freeman Rated PG-13124 Min For its first hour or so, "Oblivion" plays like it's assembled from the spare parts of all the classic sci-fi films.  That's not negative criticism either, because with direction by Joseph Kosinski, "

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-79447720891500126452013-04-09T01:20:00.003-07:002013-04-09T01:20:31.962-07:00

Evil Dead written by Fede Alvarez & Rod Sayaguesdirected by Fede AlvarezStarring Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez and Lou Taylor PucciRated R 91 Minutes Horror movie remakes are a staple of the Hollywood machine now days; if for no other reason than to please the increasingly gore-hungry young adult audience.  In that regard, Sam Raimi's "The Evil Dead" seems like it would be a good

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-21908600572122660372013-04-01T00:43:00.000-07:002013-04-01T12:31:00.922-07:00

The Hostwritten by Stephanie Meyer & Andrew Niccoldirected by Andrew NiccolStarring Saoirse Ronan, Diane Kruger, William Hurt and Max IronsRated PG-13125 Minutes  After seeing “The Host,” I think I finally understand Stephanie Meyer.  She must be possessed by one of the alien life forms in this story.  The aliens, called Souls, inhabit human bodies and strip away anything

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-26585136092249337202013-03-28T00:49:00.002-07:002013-03-28T08:03:41.671-07:00

G.I. Joe: Retaliationwritten by Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick directed by Jon M. Chu Starring Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis and Channing Tatum PG-13 110 Min What could Bruce Willis be thinking?  Last month, he put the nail in John McClane's coffin with "A Good Day to Die Hard" and now he's even giving the original Joe a bad name in "G.I. Joe: Retaliation."  I'd have considered "A

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-85321539456334614422013-03-11T23:41:00.003-07:002013-03-12T08:12:58.298-07:00

Oz the Great and PowerfulStarring James Franco, Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis, Zach Braff and Joey KingWritten by Mitchell Kapner & David Lindsay-Abairedirected by Sam RaimiRated PG 130 Minutes    It is undeniable that "Oz the Great and Powerful" is a lot of fun.  This is a beautifully realized film, with the unmistakable Sam Raimi signature on it.  The very opening

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-77526115940634116892013-03-11T22:40:00.002-07:002013-03-11T22:40:34.071-07:00

Dead Man DownStarring Colin Farrell, Noomi Rapace and Terrance Howardwritten by J.H Wymandirected by Niels Arden Oplev Rated R110 Minutes   It’s too bad that the trailers for “Dead Man Down” make it look like just another generic action movie with gratuitous gun violence and explosions; because director Niels Arden Oplev serves up what is actually a deeply involving character

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-55692389547903501082013-02-26T01:10:00.002-08:002013-02-26T01:10:59.653-08:00

"Dark Skies" written and directed by Scott Stewart Starring Keri Russell, Josh Hamilton and J.K. Simmons Rated PG-13 97 Minutes There's haunted house movies, there's alien movies; and then there's "Dark Skies," which fuses both into a chilling and effective feature about a family that gets put through the ringer by unseen forces.  With fine-tuned performances by Keri Russell and

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-850541485372254872013-02-24T23:28:00.001-08:002013-02-24T23:31:23.491-08:00

'Snitch' written by Justin Haythe & Ric Roman Waugh directed by Ric Roman Waugh Starring Swayne Johnson, Rafi Gavron, Barry Pepper and Susan Sarandon Rated PG-13 112 Minutes Dwayne Johnson, the actor formerly known as 'The Rock', has tried hard to move away from his professional wrestling persona by starring in a series of preposterous action roles.  Surprisingly, "Snitch"

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-62169921190126174612013-01-22T13:50:00.000-08:002013-01-22T20:31:35.065-08:00

“Mama” written by Andrés Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti and Neil Cross directed by Andrés Muschietti Starring Jessica Chastain, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Daniel Kash and Javier Botet Rated PG-13 100 Minutes   There is a perception among horror movie aficionados that in order for a horror film to be any good, it must have an R rating.  Perhaps that allows for the freedom of adding

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-52033244236746907602013-01-22T12:00:00.003-08:002013-01-22T20:43:12.586-08:00

“The Last Stand” written by Andrew Knauer, Jeffrey Nachmanoff and George Nolfi directed by Jee-woon Kim Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Forest Whitaker, Peter Stormare and Eduardo Noriega Rated R 107 Minutes   Aside from a couple glorified cameos in “The Expendables” features, Arnold Schwarzenegger has been absent from movies for nearly a decade.  He makes his return in “The Last

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-2576552893768997662013-01-22T00:11:00.001-08:002013-01-22T00:25:26.744-08:00

It is almost time for the Oscars and I am largely disappointed in the nominee list for the majority of categories.  I was originally in support of extending the best picture nominee list to 10 films, but now I wonder if that was a mistake.  It seems to me that a good number of movies are picked and thrown in at the last minute just to have a list of 10.  For instance, "Amour,"

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-4085459538555619892013-01-14T19:09:00.001-08:002013-01-15T09:19:05.864-08:00

"Gangster Squad" written by Will Beall directed by Ruben Fleischer Starring Josh Brolin, Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone Rated R 113 Minutes A movie called “Gangster Squad” requires realistic expectations, to say the least.  This film is pure pulp and glossy style, offering almost nothing in the way of substance; but I

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-8170114207155102692013-01-14T01:47:00.002-08:002013-01-14T17:38:09.155-08:00

Zero Dark Thirty written by Mark Boal directed by Kathryn Bigelow Starring Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, Kyle Chandler and Joel Edgerton Rated R 158 Minutes Movies based on actual events are hit or miss to say the least.  Even more worrisome is when the audience is reminded of the “true story” with an opening title card.  How much of Kathryn Bigelow’s “Zero Dark Thirty” is based

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-56791722886628193522012-12-27T16:29:00.001-08:002012-12-27T16:39:42.062-08:00

"Django Unchained" Written and directed by Quentin TarantinoStarring Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Kerry Washington, Leonardo DiCaprio and Samuel L. Jackson Rated R 165 Minutes Just slightly missing the bar set by his own "Inglourious Basterds" in 2009, Quentin Tarantino now delivers "Django Unchained," a wildly ambitious tale of southern revenge.  Sporadically influenced

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-81595299480474664802012-12-27T09:23:00.000-08:002012-12-27T12:19:43.487-08:00

"Les Miserables" Written by Claude-Michel Schonberg & Alain BoublilAndHerbert Kretzmer and William NicholsonDirected by Tom HooperStarring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Eddie Redmayne and Amanda SeyfriedPG-13157 Minutes    I so very much wish I could say "Les Miserables" is a great film.  Considering its mass appeal as one of the longest-running stage musicals of

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-79161822779602527302012-12-24T21:53:00.000-08:002013-01-03T11:50:55.156-08:00

“Jack Reacher” Written and Directed by Christopher McQuarrie Starring Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, Werner Herzog and Robert Duvall Rated PG-13 130 Minutes From what I understand, Tom Cruise is about as far from author Lee Child's literary description of the Jack Reacher character as possible.  No matter. Tom Cruise, now 50, easily embodies the imposing nature of the character and

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-19047533564710841712012-12-17T23:26:00.001-08:002012-12-18T11:46:43.259-08:00

“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” Written by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson Directed by Peter Jackson Starring Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage and Andy Serkis Rated PG-13 169 Minutes Here it is at last; the long-awaited return to Middle Earth.  After the massive success of his “Lord of the Rings” Trilogy, Peter Jackson has finally delivered

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-65617348548040977932012-12-03T15:29:00.001-08:002012-12-03T16:46:43.168-08:00

“Killing Them Softly” Written & Directed by Andrew Dominik Starring Brad Pitt, James Gandolfini, Richard Jenkins, Scoot McNairy Rated R 97 Minutes Hey, when it’s tough, it’s tough all over; and organized crime is no exception.  Without much subtlety, Andrew Dominik hammers home this idea by framing an allegory for the 2008 financial crisis within a seedy mob drama. 

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-46225237273756654062012-11-20T00:54:00.000-08:002012-12-03T15:15:52.457-08:00

“Lincoln” Directed by Steven Spielberg Written by Tony Kushner Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, David Strathairn Rated PG-13 149 Minutes Steven Spielberg’s recent streak of sentimentality fits beautifully into a film like “Lincoln” because it wisely avoids over stretching itself and instead stays focused on Lincoln’s efforts to pass the 13th Amendment in the last

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-17694341983532718272012-11-16T11:16:00.000-08:002012-11-16T20:00:31.418-08:00

‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2” Directed by Bill Condon Written by Melissa Rosenberg Starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and Michael Sheen Rated PG-13 115 Minutes Not being a fan of Stephenie Meyer’s source material, I must concede that “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2” is probably the best possible film that can be adapted from it. 

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-11728043192178959622012-11-13T13:25:00.003-08:002012-11-16T11:21:07.557-08:00

‘Skyfall’ Directed by Sam Mendes Neil Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan Starring Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes Rated PG-13 143 Minutes To say that James Bond has aged well would be an understatement.  The character, created by Ian Fleming, has been portrayed by numerous actors over the last 50 years, perhaps none more famously than Sean Connery.  In

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-41123487607476185632012-11-05T11:50:00.001-08:002012-11-05T11:58:32.180-08:00

'Wreck-It Ralph' Directed by Rich Moore Written by Phil Johnston and Jennifer Lee Starring John C. Reilly, Jane Lynch, Sarah Silverman and Alan Tudyk Rated PG 108 Minutes   Disney sure knows how to make headlines. Their recent acquisition of LucasFilm Ltd. was the news item of the week, with everyone mumbling about the implications for the "Star Wars" universe. Does this mean

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-89670712702476283922012-10-14T16:50:00.001-07:002012-10-22T11:49:23.319-07:00

"Argo"Written by Chris Terrio Directed by Ben Affleck Starring Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Alan Arkin Rated R 120 Minutes Here is another example of a great film whose director is only on his third feature.  Following Rian Johnson’s “Looper,” Ben Affleck emerges with “Argo,” almost certainly a contender for best picture, and surprisingly, one that doesn’t

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109478090670056076.post-53357590760087823962012-10-14T15:28:00.000-07:002012-10-14T15:36:19.034-07:00

"Sinister"Written and Directed by Scott DerricksonStarring Ethan Hawke, Juliet Rylance and James RansoneRated R110 Minutes “Sinister” is a unique found footage movie in that it dispels with the usual gimmick by having the main character actually find film footage in his attic.  He spends a great deal of time watching these films on a super 8 projector and what they show is, well,

Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03277529298651628740noreply@blogger.com0