Critical Capsule: Skyscraper (2018)

Skyscraper would likely be more entertaining in a world where Die Hard didn’t exist. Unfortunately, this is not that world. Perhaps if you are just getting into movies, are young, and don’t know of the great Die Hard yet, you may like this. If you couldn’t figure it out, this is like a copy of a copy of Die Hard, the more layers of separation, the more generic and bland the replications get. On the other hand, Skyscraper does star the Rock, and he has large enough personality to actually carry this and keep me somewhat involved. This is fun enough. The story follows Rock, hobbled by having one leg, work his way through a burning tower to save his family and stop the bad guys from getting to the building’s owner. This is hardly must see cinema, but you could do worse if you stumble across it one night on cable.

Critical Capsule: Jumanji - Welcome to the Jungle

I know a lot of people had very strong feelings about the prospect of a Jumanji remake. I was not one of them, sure I enjoyed the movie, but I cannot say I had any particular attachment to it. That said, I initially thought this new edition looked pretty bad. I was wrong. No, it is not a great movie by any stretch, but it is a lot of fun and I liked the use of the video game elements throughout. Beyond that, the cast had great chemistry and Jack Black, in particular was quite well cast and had a rather strong character arc. Likewise, I actually didn’t mind Kevin Hart here, I am not usually a fan of his. Then we have the Rock, who was great as usual. Finally what can be said about Karen Gillan? Overall, this was a fun addition to the Jumanji-verse, not sure I need anymore but this is an easy one to recommend for a little fun in the theater.

Movie Review: Central Intelligence

When I first saw the trailer for Central Intelligence, it was right around the time that Ride Along 2 was out, I thought it was pretty quick for a third entry in the series. Of course, I knew it was not another Ride Along, but it was hard to deny the similarities that trailer had to the Kevin Hart/Ice Cube series of films. Based on those similarities, I was almost ready to write it off then and there; however, there was something else at play that kept my interest afloat. I am a fan of Dwayne Johnson, sure, he's had his share of disappointments, but he has a charisma that has carried him past them. In short, I saw the movie and I did, indeed, laugh.

Blu-ray Review: Furious 7

Fourteen years later, it is the franchise that just keeps on giving. I can honestly say that when The Fast and The Furious arrived way back in 2001, I never thought anyone would still be talking about it in 2015, much less be anticipating a sixth sequel! At the same time, it is just as hard to fathom that the series has gotten better as it has aged, stepping up its game beginning with the fourth and never looking back. It has long since outgrown its street racing roots and has become a sort of gear head James Bond series filled with big stunts and international intrigue, just sillier. Seriously sillier, there is not a shred of believability here.

Movie Review: San Andreas

When I first saw the trailer for San Andreas, I cannot say my reaction was positive. It was not exactly negative either, it was more the equivalent of an eye roll when no one is looking. Upon further reflection, my eye roll stance somewhat softened. I figured, why not? I feel it has been awhile since I've seen a disaster movie, that is, a movie that wasn't a disaster, but rather about a disaster. How bad could it be? On the other hand, it is also nice to see some different landmarks getting destroyed than the usual ones in New York and DC.

Movie Review: Furious Seven

Fourteen years later, it is the franchise that just keeps on giving. I can honestly say that when The Fast and The Furious arrived way back in 2001, I never thought anyone would still be talking about it in 2015 (not that I was thinking that far ahead), much less be anticipating a sixth sequel! At the same time, it is hard to fathom that the series has gotten better as it has aged, stepping up its game beginning with the fourth and never looking back. It has long since outgrown its street racing roots and has become a sort of gear head James Bond series filled with big stunts and international intrigue.

Movie Review: Hercules (2014)

Way back in January a Hercules movie hit the theaters with very little fanfare and proceeded to bomb at the box office. This was not wholly unexpected considering it seemed to be a late pickup by Lionsgate with the hope of making a few bucks. That movie was Legend of Hercules, starring Kellan Lutz and directed by Renny Harlin. It was one of those movies when my instincts kicked in and successfully steered me away. The logic being I would wait for the big summer Hercules movie with Dwayne Johnson. That would have to be better, right? Well, it has arrived and I did go and see it. Long story short, it's not good.

Movie Review: Fast & Furious 6

Whenever I learn that another Fast and Furious movie is being made, I cannot help but shake my head. It is a franchise that just refuses to die, and in some ways is actually improving itself. I have never been the biggest fan of the series and can scarcely remember any specifics from earlier films. Still, here we are, six movies in and a franchise that is experiencing more life now that when it first appeared. So confident are they in the continued relevancy that they leave this movie off with a pretty substantial tease for a seventh film. When was the last time a seventh movie in a franchise (not based on a books series) ad this much anticipation?

Movie Review: G.I. Joe - Retaliation

The second G.I. Joe movie as finally arrived. It only took a nine-month delay, a 3D post-conversion and some extra scenes inserted. I am not sure I will ever bother to look up the real reasons for the delay, but I suspect it was, at least partially, due to a studio afraid of a potential bomb and using the 3D ticket premium to help front load it and guard against a low opening gross. Either way, I was already interested in seeing it. It looked better than the first and I am also in for the nostalgia reasons, I did love me some G.I. Joe when I was a kid.