Retro-view: Se7en

I like to think that I watch a lot of movies. There are movies that get replayed frequently, and there are those that go years and years between viewings. These lesser watched films are not necessarily bad or not worth revisiting, it is just the way it goes sometimes. Even if it is a great movie, I do not always watch them as often. The result of this great time in between viewings means that when I do watch them it can feel like watching them for the first time. This was the case when I recently saw Se7en again. Sure, I remember some, but it is like rediscovering its greatness.

Movie Review: Ted 2

It was just about three years ago that Family Guy/American Dad mastermind Seth MacFarlane made the jump from the animates small screen to the live action big screen with the first Ted film. Now, these are not to be confused with Ted Talks, those are quite a different thing. Ted seems to be much more like the grown up adventures of Stewie and his teddy bear, Rupert. Of course, the names were changed to protect the innocent, but the thought process seems pretty on point. Anyway, the sequel picks up some years later with Ted marrying his girlfriend from the first film, Tami-Lynn, and then the couple deciding to have a baby. Comedy ensues.

Movie Review: Lucy (2014)

I recall the first time I saw the trailer for Lucy, I was immediately interested. It looked like a fun/weird mash up of action and science fiction. Then I learned it was from writer/director/producer Luc Besson and I was fully on board. Sure, he is pretty far removed from his artistic heights of Leon, La Femme Nikita, and The Fifth Element, but there is still something about his productions, his blending of high concept and everyday action that I have always liked. Sure, The Family left something to be desired, but then again, everyone has their off time, right? Back to the movie at hand, Lucy looked like a winner from the get go to this guy.

Movie Review: Transcendence

Transcendence has arrived, ready to transport you into the great beyond, a world of knowledge, power, and the thought of a never ending existence, an end to pain, sickness, loneliness. That is a movie I might like to see. Instead, Transcendence has arrived to bore you into a coma with two-hours of incoherence. I was looking forward to this movie, I wanted to like this movie, but alas it was not to be. Instead of an interesting look into the war between nature and technology and the question of what makes you, well, you, we get a formless lump that is content to sit and through some special effects at you with the illusion of depth.

Movie Review: The Lego Movie

When I first heard they were going to make a movie based on Lego Blocks, I could not imagine it being a good movie. Wait, let me take that a step further, I actually did not think it was a real thing. If anything, I figured it was going to be some sort of straight to video thing for kids. I was wrong. Trailers arrived, commercials arrived, and I was surprised to see that it actually looked kind of funny. Was it possible for this to actually be a good movie? The positive buzz that formed around seemed to indicate so. All right, I guess you could consider me officially interested.

Movie Review: Olympus has Fallen

Last weekend I saw the latest Gerard Butler vehicle, Olympus has Fallen. What can I say but, "Well, that happened." Seriously. As the theater erupted into applause as the credits began to role, I couldn't help but think this was just another entry in a long line of lackluster actioners. Simply put, this is no all that great a movie. It relies on a faux sense of patriotism rather than give us any interesting characters. The best thing about it is that it gives us the chance to use the old action descriptor phrase "Die Hard on a ..." You Remember how that phrase popped up after the success of that film? Like Under Siege is Die Hard on a battleship.