Summer is almost officially over
as a season and definitely over at the box office. Superheroes saved the day
again while star-filled vehicles continue driving on shaky ground. Check out
this highlighted recap listed chronologically with comments.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (B)
Surprising emotion, especially at
the end, with fantastic effects...still like the first two Raimi-made films
better though.
Mom's Night Out (B+)
Great family comedy fest where
you won't feel any shame for laughing.
Neighbors (DID NOT SEE)
If not for the rating, I would
maybe check out.
Legends of Oz: Dorothy's
Return (DID NOT
SEE)
Wow! Worst opening ever for wide
release…we’ll see if the kids want to see it.
Chef (WANT TO SEE SOON)
Jon Favreau showcases his
filmmaking and cuisine talents with an amazing supporting cast.
Godzilla (B+)
Great film! Nothing gratuitous or
meaningless. Cannot wait for the 2018 sequel.
Million Dollar Arm (C+)
True story sports adaptation from
Disney had a nice story.
X-Men Days of Future Past (B+)
A well-managed epic superhero
mash-up leads right into upcoming 2016’s Apocalypse.
Blended (DID NOT SEE)
Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore
in their third romantic comedy with kids in the mix.
The Love Punch (WANT TO SEE SOON)
Emma Thompson and Pierce Brosnan
team up for an international hit as couple getting their pension money back
from scammers.
Maleficent (B)
Great showcase that expands the
Disney universe even more. A bit heavy on themes, but better than expected.
A Million Ways to Die in
the West (DID NOT
SEE)
Didn’t turn out to be the next Blazing Saddles.
The Fault in Our Stars (DID NOT SEE)
Romance did make a huge impact
because of it's popular and high quality book adaptation.
Obvious Child (DID NOT SEE)
Comedienne Jenny Slate in a
personal story tackling several important issues.
The Edge of Tomorrow (B+)
Great, underrated film with
masterful acting, directing and effects.
How to Train Your Dragon (B+)
Sequel can soars thanks to amazing
action sequences, great family story and solid establishing original.
22 Jump Street (DID NOT SEE)
Raunchy action series will
continue thanks to the funny Lord-Miller filmmaking team.
Jersey Boys (DID NOT SEE)
Clint Eastwood directs the
adapted R-rated (language) musical.
Third Person (DID NOT SEE)
Star-filled Paul Haggis drama
pushes the narrative farther.
Think Like a Man Too (DID NOT SEE)
Kevin Hart can open a film…even
if it is an unnecessary comedy sequel.
Transformers: Age of
Extinction (DID NOT
SEE)
Mark Wahlberg was a great lead
for the next installment but won’t return for the next one as the special
effects keep getting better.
They Came Together (WANT TO SEE SOON)
Amy Poehler and Paul Rudd get a
nice supporting cast in an appealing romantic comedy genre spoof.
Jimi: All is by My Side (DID NOT SEE)
John Ridley follows 12 Years a Slave with this
Jimi Hendrix biopic starring Andre 3000.
Deliver Us From Evil (DID NOT SEE)
Horror thrills get a crime
fighting / investigative spin.
Earth to Echo (DID NOT SEE)
Family friendly sci-fi tries to
"phone in" some extraterrestrial appeal.
Tammy (DID NOT SEE)
Raunchy comedy expands Melissa
McCarthy's repertoire with help from veteran Susan Sarandon.
Begin Again (WANT TO SEE SOON)
Liked the music soundtrack. Filmmaker
John Carney directs Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo in the music realm.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (A)
Hopefully Andy Serkis finally gets
a highly deserved Oscar nomination here. Great filmmaking and storytelling.
And So It Goes (DID NOT SEE)
Rob Reiner directs Michael
Douglas and Diane Keaton in this romantic comedy.
Planes: Fire and Rescue (WANT TO SEE SOON)
Disney animated feature shifts
from the racing focus into a nice civic, educational opportunity as well as
entertainment.
Jupiter Ascending (DELAYED UNTIL FEBRUARY)
The Purge: Anarchy (DID NOT SEE)
Still finding success in a morbid
concept.
Hercules (C)
A definite passion project for
Dwayne Johnson after supporting so many hits, but nothing extraordinary here. Some
key editing and better story would have helped.
A Most Wanted Man (WANT TO SEE SOON)
Promising John le Carré's 2008
novel book adaptation starring the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
Magic in the Moonlight (DID NOT SEE)
Woody Allen is on an unbelievable
roll and continues his European settings with the French Riviera.
Guardians of the Galaxy (A)
Another Marvel success! Besides The LEGO Movie (also starring rapidly
rising star Chris Pratt), it’s the most entertaining film this year.
Get On Up (DID NOT SEE)
James Brown biopic starring
Chadwick Boseman and an appealing supporting cast.
Lucy (B)
Luc Besson demonstrates great
morals in the realm of maximizing human potential factors into good and evil
manifestations well. Scarlett Johansson is impressive again in all fronts.
Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles (DID NOT
SEE)
Exceeded box office expectations
with a more realistic take and revived Megan Fox’s career.
Into the Storm (DID NOT SEE)
This documentary-style tornado drama
was almost a sleeper hit.
The Hundred-Foot Journey (WANT TO SEE SOON)
Helen Mirren stars in another
promising book adaptation (Richard C. Morais) of a cooking culture clash in
rural France.
Let's Be Cops (DID NOT SEE)
TV's New Girl stars impersonate law enforcement with
maximized content.
The Expendables 3 (B-)
Great action genre ensemble
entertainment. The stunts and physical acting was amazing, but pretty standard
story. Mel Gibson showed some great acting chops here in another bad guy role…too
bad piracy ruined the initial release.
As Above, So Below (DID NOT SEE)
Horror and archeology combine in
Paris.
The Giver (B)
This quality, best-selling book
adaptation appeals to multiple audiences in an enthralling and wholesome story.
Sin City: A Dame to Die
For (DID NOT
SEE)
Additional 3D and striking “noir”
visual style not enough to compensate for the nine-year wait after the first
installment.
What did I miss?
Snowpiercer (WANT TO SEE SOON)
Boyhood
(WANT TO SEE SOON)
Step
Up All In (DID NOT SEE)
November
Man
(WANT TO SEE SOON)
If I
Stay
(DID NOT SEE)
When
the Game Stands Tall (WANT TO SEE SOON)
No comments:
Post a Comment