Vacation Time

  For the next two weeks I will be on vacation. So I will post a couple videos of the vacation movies. will be back in 2 weeks!

Actress of the Week: Audrey Hepburn

   This weeks actress of the week appeared in 31 films from 1951 to 1989. Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993) was a British actress who was know for her style and wittiness. Her big breakthrough was in the Academy Award winning film Roman Holiday (1953) were she co-stared with Gregory Peck.

  My favorite Audrey Hepburn movie is Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), which I feel is one of the best acting performances I have ever seen. Now this film does not have the star power that some of her other films had but she is very good in this movie and I suggest everyone watch it at least once. In this film she is funny and is just the life of the movie.
    During her career Hepburn would play alongside some of Hollywood's best. She teamed up with Humpfrey Bogart in the 1954 film Sabrina, as well as co-staring with Cary Grant in the 1963 movie Charade. Hepburn's career was a huge success in all different ways possible. She remains one of few people who have won Academy, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony awards. She was truly one of the great actresses in cinemas "Golden Age".


Sabrina Trailer:

Breakfast at Tiffany's clip:

Top 5 War Movies

   This week is about War movies. I admit I don't watch them often but there are a few that are very good.



5.  Full Metal Jacket (1987)

4.  The Great Dictator (1940)

3.  Glory (1989)

2.  Gone With the Wind (1939)

1. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Actor of the Week: James Dean

   What else can you say about James Dean (1931-1955) besides we will never know how big of a star he could have been. Even though he acted in only about seven movies he was a natural talent. Though he has been gone a long time people still know who James Dean is.

   There are two movies that are classics that James Dean are in, the first one is the 1955 film Rebel Without a Cause. Dean plays a rebellious young man who has had a troubled past, he moves to a new town where he makes friends as well as a few enemies. This film is a must see, one of the best movies I have watched not only in the past year but my entire life.
      Another one of Dean's great performances is the last film he would ever be in Giant (1956). He actually pasted away before the film was edited. He played the part of a oil rich Texan. This film is great as well as Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson star in it as well. It is a long movie but for three and a half hours it keeps you entertained. Never a dull moment in the movie, another great.
    I have become very curious of James Dean ever since I watched Rebel Without a Cause. It is amazing how an actor who was in only a few films is still know well in cinema. I would have loved to see him act in more films and see how he would have been as he got older. Unfortunately he left us too soon and we will never know how big he would have become. As a movie enthusiast I hope his memory lasts forever.

 

Movie Review: The Heat

  Tonight I saw a movie that I was curious to see because the two leading ladies have been know to be very funny and it didn't disappoint. Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock were hilarious in The Heat. These two worked very well together as Sandra Bullock was the quiet witty funny one as Melissa McCarthy is the bull in a china closet but for me it worked.

    My overall thought about this movie is that it is just a laugh. It was decent but it was probably not a movie I would buy or watch over and over again. However, I do think that Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy performed well its just not an instant classic. My advice is for people to go see it because for some it is a great funny movie but for others they will view this as just a funny movie that you watch once in a long while.


Grade: 6/10

Top 5 Superhero Movies

  This week had me thinking about my favorite superhero movies that I have watched growing up. So here is my Top 5 Superhero Movies




5. Iron Man (2008)

4. Spider-Man (2002)

3.  Batman (1989)

2.  Superman (1978)

1. The Dark Knight (2008)

Movie Review: Grown Ups 2

   Tonight I went to see a movie that I have been waiting for since I heard there was going to be a second one. I did make it out to see Grown Ups 2 and while I know critics often think the first film and this film was a waste of time I enjoyed it. Adam Sandler and his cast of best friends are back and this movie was funny from start to finish.

   Now this film is not much of a story so that for some people that might be a negative. The movie is really just a serious of Sandler, Rock, James, and Spade returning to there hometown and goofing around. Overall this was a very funny movie and for me was not a waste of time. It's not a perfect 10 but for me it's a movie I wouldn't mind watching again.



Grade: 7/10 

Actress of the Week: Reese Witherspoon

  This week's Actress of the Week is Reese Witherspoon (1976-cont.). Reese got her first feature role in  The Man on the Moon (1991). Though she would have roles here and there her major break through was the 2001 film Legally Blonde, then she followed that one with a solid performance in the romantic comedy Sweet Home Alabama (2002).

    I believe that Reese Witherspoon is a good actress but what performance made her career take off even farther was in Walk the Line (2005). Witherspoon played the part of Johnny Cash's (Joaquin Phoenix) wife June Carter. It is truly a great movie and the fact that she sang the songs in the movie showed some versatility. It will be interesting where her career is going to take her as she is putting her hand in as a film producer as well as a television producer. Whatever she decides to do next Reese Witherspoon will be around for many more years.

Top 5 Movie Soundtracks

  This week I was thinking of what soundtracks make the hair on my arms stand up. You can have a good story and a great cast but what I feel makes a movie even better is the soundtrack. So here is my Top 5 Movie Soundtracks

5.  Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

4. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)

3. The Lion King (1994)

2. Titanic (1997)

1. Forrest Gump (1994)

Movie Review: Despicable Me 2

    Today I made it out to see Despicable Me 2. I remember the first one beginning pretty good but this was a very good movie. You wouldn't know that Steve Carell and Russell Brand where in it if it wasn't for credits. They do a great job of getting into the characters. You couldn't cast the voice of Lucy any better than Kristen Wiig who is very funny in this film.

 
   
     From beginning to end this film had me laughing. It's very funny and sweet. I  believe this is a must see for any family looking to have a night out at the movies. Also, this is a good movie for big kids as well. The minions of course where hilarious throughout the movie. Overall this was a very good movie that I wouldn't mind seeing again when it comes out on DVD.


Grade: 8.5/10

Movie Review: Parental Guidance

   Today I watched the Billy Crystal and Bette Midler comedy Parental Guidance (2012). Going into the movie I expected it to be an average movie. Most reviews I have read are not very high on this film. However, I thought it was a decent movie. I laughed a few times and it was a cute movie that you can watch with your family. I was interested to see Billy Crystal and I have to say I thought he was very funny in this movie. Bette Midler was very funny as well and the two worked very well together.

    Overall this movie was enjoyable. It was funny and the children were cast perfectly with Billy Crystal and Bette Midler. This will not be considered an instant classic but it was a decent movie. It's not so much a strong story but a lot of laughs.




Grade: 6.5/10

Actor of the Week: Humphrey Bogart

   This weeks featured actor is arguably the best male star in the history of cinema. Humphrey Bogart (1899-1957) was best know for films such as Casablanca (1942) and  The African Queen (1951). Bogart would appear in over 75 films during is 30 year acting career. Also, from 1920 to 1930 Bogart was involved in Broadway productions.

     My personal favorite of course is his most famous work Casablaca (1942). If you are curious of Humphrey Bogart and you want to watch one of his films this is the one to watch. Not only one of the best performances of all time by an actor, but one of the best films in the history of cinema. Another film that is not know as one of his best but is pretty good is Dead End (1937). In this film you get to see Bogart before his career took off even higher.



Humphrey Bogart Tribute

Dead End Trailer

Movie Review: Oz the Great and Powerful

   A couple weeks ago when my nephew was visiting we ordered Oz the Great and Powerful on pay-per-view. It was the second time I watched the film as I was able to see it at the theater. I feel it was brave to try to make an Oz movie because The Wizard of Oz (1939) is one of the best movies ever made. The second time around watching this film though it grew on me a little. James Franco's performance was decent considering he isn't the most popular actor out there but this was a good performance.

   I did not have high expectations when I first went to see this movie. Even the first time around it was just average. However, the second time watching it I found it to be not as bad as I thought originally. It was a cute movie that the whole family can enjoy, the coloring was true to the original Oz story. I did like how this film like the original Oz started in black and white in the first scene then switched to color. Overall not a bad film.


Grade: 7/10

Top 5 Love Stories

  This week I decided to post my Top 5 Love Stories. These are movies that you can watch over and over again. As a guy I enjoy romantic movies, these five films were done really well. Some guys say its not manly to watch a "Chick Flick". However, I disagree with that. So here are my Top 5 Love Stories




5.  Gone with the Wind (1939)

4.  The Notebook (2004)

3.  Safe Haven (2013)

2.  Casablanca (1942)

1. Titanic (1997)

    These movies are all great love stories but what makes them great is the full stories behind all of them. The great casts of all five make these easy to watch over and over again. So, next time you have a night at home with a special someone watch one of these films. You won't regret it.

Actress of the Week: Lana Turner

  This week's Actress of the Week was very popular in the 40's and 50's. Beginning her career at MGM the age of sixteen Lana Turner (1921-1995) was known for playing femme fatales. Her first major film was 1937's They Won't Forget.  Many believed that she would be the next Jean Harlow, Lana would arrive at MGM six months after Jean Harlow's death.

    My personal favorite of Lana Turner's is the 1946 film The Postman Always Rings Twice. Lana played the role of the diner owner's wife Cora, who falls in love with a drifter (John Garfield) who comes to work at the diner. It is truly a great movie and Lana Turner was a great actress whose career would last until the 1970's.

Top 5 Stars That Left Too Soon

   This week got me thinking of some actors and actresses that were well on their way of becoming the biggest stars in the movie industry. However, they would end up leaving the world before we could see their full potential. Here's my list.


5. John Belushi Age 33

4. Jean Harlow Age 26

3. Heath Ledger Age 28

2.  Marilyn Monroe Age 36

1. James Dean Age 23

 

Actor of the Week: Adam Sandler

  This week I decided to feature someone who is a recent actor. Someone who I have watched almost all of his movies the last decade. Adam Sandler (1966-cont.) started his film career with loud and in your face movies like Happy Gilmore (1996), Billy Madison (1995),  and The Waterboy (1998). Those films are good but as the years have gone on he has had some great movies and then some that are average like Jack and Jill (2011).

   Over the years there are a lot of Adam Sandler's movies that I enjoy but the one I have really enjoyed time and time again is Grown Ups (2010). I am excited to see the up and coming sequel which comes of on July 12th. I could probably sit down and watch ten of his movies in a row. The consistency in his career has helped him last all these years, and trust me he isn't going anywhere.

 

 

 

Top 5 Silent Film Stars

   This week I decided to go back in time to look at my Top 5 Silent Film Stars, I wanted to look up the first big time stars in cinema history. So without further or do here are my Top 5 Silent Film Stars.



5.  Lillian Gish (1893-1993)

4.  Greta Garbo (1905-1990)

3. Buster Keaton (1895-1966)

2.  Douglas Fairbanks (1883-1939)

1. Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977)

  All these actors and actresses made big impacts on the history of cinema. It's their work that as inspired the great actors and actresses today.

Movie Review: After Earth

  Yesterday my nephew was here to visit and he wanted to go see a movie. He decided for us to go see After Earth which is a Sci-Fi type movie with Will Smith and his son Jaden. I though at the beginning of the movie that is was very slow and I thought it would be just awful. However, towards the end it picked up a little bit. Will Smith's character was good and I thought it was a good performance but for Jaden I still think he is a little ways away from being a big time star like his father.

    Afterwards this movie left me with more to be desired. It wasn't terrible but it is not a movie that I will watch over and over. This movie just didn't live up to The Pursuit of Happiness (2006) which both Jaden and Will were in. Also not close to Jaden's work in The Karate Kid (2010). Overall this movie is what I personally consider average.



Grade: 5/10

Movie Review: The Fast & Furious 6

  Today I was able to make it out to see the sixth movie in the Fast & Furious series. I have seen all but the Tokyo Drift one because I like the original cast. Going in I thought that it might be decent but didn't have overly high expectations. Afterwards I was very pleased, it was a very enjoyable movie. All the original cast was in this, it had a ton of action as well as some twist and turns. In the end I feel this is my favorite of all of the films.

    Overall the key to this movie is the action and the original cast. Paul Walker and Vin Diesel are just awesome together. What is nice it is funny and it can be emotional too. For someone who has seen all the movies over the years this was just awesome to watch. Yes, there are plenty of nonrealistic stunts that occur but this is cinema where anything is possible. Not sure how the Fast & Furious 7 will be able to live up to this one but it appears Vin Diesel and Paul Walker will be back with The Rock and Tyrese Gibson. That is scheduled to come to us in 2014.



Grade: 8.5/10

Featured Actress of the Week: Doris Day

   This week's featured actress is someone who personally I have not watched a whole lot of but is my grandmother's favorite actress. I remember being on vacation and one of the classic movie channels had a Doris Day day. My grandmother sat there and said she had the television all day. So, with that I decided to do some research on Doris Day (1922-cont.).

  Doris Day's career started out a lot like our previous actress of the week Judy Garland where she began with music. Doris Day had her first hit recording at the age of 23 with her song "Sentimental Journey". Her film career started in 1948 in the film Romance on the High Seas. 

  In 1959 Doris Day started a string of successful romantic comedy films. The most well know was the 1959 film Pillow Talk with Rock Hudson and Tony Randle.  She would go on to be nominated for Academy Award's Best Actress. Day would also team with James Garner in the 1963 film The Thrill of It All and appeared with Cary Grant in the 1962 film The Touch of Mink. Doris Day's final film was in 1968's With Six You Get Eggroll, after that she went on to television. From 1959 to 1968 though Doris Day was one of the most popular faces in film. I suggest you and I check out one of her films so that we can see how great an actress she was.

Movie Review: Vegas Vacation

  Last night I watched a movie that I haven't seen in a long time, that was Vegas Vacation. This was the last of the Vacation movies with Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo. This one in my opinion is the second best of the Vacation movies as I believe the Christmas one was better. This movie when it comes to how it measures up with most movies is subpar. However, it is a movie that makes me laugh on more than one occasion. Most of the laughs come from Randy Quaid who plays Cousin Eddie.

   Overall this is a movie that you watch once in a while for a good laugh. However, not a movie that you can watch over and over again. Chevy Chase I do believe is great at making people laugh but this movie doesn't come close to his performance in Caddyshack. 


Grade: 5/10

Top 5 Movies Based on True Stories

  This week's Top 5 is a little bit of a challenge for me but a fun one. I am revealing my Top 5 movies that are based on true stories. Again there are so many movies that can be considered but these are my top films



5.  Lincoln (2012)

4.  Saving Private Ryan (1998)

3. The Elephant Man (1980)

2.  Argo (2012)

1. A Beautiful Mind (2001)

Honorable Mention:

Public Enemies (2009)
The Blind Side (2009)
JFK (1991)
Remember the Titans (2000)
October Sky (1999)


   That's it for this week's Top 5! Stay tuned as this week's featured actor/actress of the week will be up in a day or two. Again so many movies to think about but these are movies that have stood out to me over the years, as well as the two more recent films.

Just a funny Caddyshack video

  With the summer coming quick one of my favorite summer movies of all time Caddyshack! My uncle and my best friend quote this movie all the time every time. This just a funny video I found hope you enjoy

Featured Actor of the Week: Jack Nicholson

   This week's featured actor is one of my favorite actors of all time Jack Nicholson (1937-pres). I remember as a kid watching him as the joker in Batman. He has so many awards and great movies it's impossible to mention each and everyone of them. In my opinion no one gets into a character as well as Jack Nicholson. He has played the villain and the crazy guy, but he has also made funny films such as Anger Management and The Bucket List. 

    Jack Nicholson has been around forever and has been a joy to watch. Some of my favorite films he has been in include Anger Management (2003), Batman (1989), The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981), and As Good as it Gets (1997)

    I believe one day a person my age will look at Jack Nicholson as one of the best actors of all time. The quality of films he has been in over such a long time just proves that he is. I believe the different types of roles shows his versatility. Just an actor that is enjoyable to watch.

Top 5 Film Series

  This week I was thinking about films series and which ones are my favorites. These Top 5 are all film series that have had multiple films that were very good.



5. Rocky (1976-2006)

4. Star Wars (1977-cont.)

3. Dark Knight (2005-2012)

2. Pirates of the Caribbean (2003-cont.)

1. Harry Potter (2001-2011)

Honorable Mention:

Lord of the Rings (2001-2003)
James Bond (1962-2012)
Spider-Man (1977-cont.)
Twilight (2008-2012)

Movie Review: Epic

  Today I was able to make it out to go see the 20th Century Fox computer animated movie Epic. I thought that it was good, not one of the best children's movies I have seen but it was cute and had its funny moments as well. For a children's movie it was a very good cast with Amanda Seyfried as the main character name Mary Katherine or MK. Also, Josh Hutcherson from The Hunger Games, and Beyonce Knowles and Colin Farrell voices were in the film as well.

  Again this movie wasn't bad just not one of my favorite kids movies. I do think there will be plenty of children that will like this movie and if you have kids its a good way to keep them quiet for a bit. The slug and the snail were very funny and I think they were the best characters. I also think the idea to make a story like this one was very creative.



Grade: 6/10

Movie Review: Breakfast at Tiffany's

  Tonight I decided to watch Breakfast at Tiffany's, I have always heard good things about it and I finally came around to watching it tonight. Afterwards I was glad I watched it. Audrey Hepburn's performance was great. I was a little surprised about the amount of funny moments were in it, and that Mickey Rooney was in it playing the Asian Landlord. Also, I have never seen a movie with George Peppard but I liked him and Buddy Edsen from The Beverly Hillbillies was a surprise as well.

   Overall this was a enjoyable movie, for 1961 this was a very good romantic comedy movie. Along with a good cast this movie is a classic. I liked the quick lines that were funny and the little things that made it funny. The love story was good, and it was a cool setting being in New York.



Grade: 7.5/10

Current United States Box Office Chart-Weekend number, Gross, and amount of weeks

1		Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)	$70.2M	$83.7M	1
2		Iron Man 3 (2013)	$35.8M	$338M	3
3		The Great Gatsby (2013)	$23.9M	$90.7M	2
4		Pain & Gain (2013)	$3.24M	$46.7M	4
5		The Croods (2013)	$3.02M	$177M	9
6		42 (2013)	$2.81M	$88.8M	6
7		Oblivion (2013)	$2.34M	$85.6M	5
8		Mud (2012)	$2.23M	$11.7M	4
9		Peeples (2013)	$2.16M	$7.87M	2
10		The Big Wedding (2013)	$1.21M	$20.3M	4

Box office data supplied by and copyright Exhibitor Relations © 2013