Earth to Echo
After receiving a bizarre series of encrypted messages, a group of kids embark on an adventure with an alien who needs their help. (via IMDB)
This trailer reminds me of the classic sci fi movies aimed at kids in the 80s. I hope that it is beloved by this generation as Flight of the Navigator, Explorers and Space Camp were to my generation. Those films spurred my imagination and made me long to travel the stars. Who knows, I may find myself checking it out in the theaters.
Edge of Tomorrow, based upon the Japaneze light novel All You Need is Kill by Hiroski Sakurazaka, is a big improvement compared to Tom Cruise’s last two sci-fi flops, Oblivion (2013) and War of the Worlds (2005). In this film Cruise plays military officer William Cage, who is extremely opposed to dying in combat after an alien invasion devastates Europe. With a weapon designed to wrap around the soldiers’ bodies like armor, a sergeant played by Emily Blunt (Looper, Your Sister’s Sister) brings the world’s armies new hope. A chance encounter between the two on the battlefield creates a chain of events that sends this movie into a Groundhog Day-esque tailspin. Once you get your noodles straight you will discover that Edge of Tomorrow is funny and creative just as much as it is violent and action-packed.
For another take See Cherry@themovies (Go to the playlist and select Edge of Tomorow)
X-men is not my favorite franchise. There is something about this series that just doesn’t click for me. Next up in the series is Days of Future Past which focused a lot on Mystique/Raven (Jennifer Lawrence), but this movie is really about Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart & James McAvoy). The story starts off with a dark world at war. An army of high tech killing machines have been unleashed on the public to eliminate all mutants and their human allies. An unintended consequence is that the same assassins designed to sense mutant DNA to identify their targets also develop an ability to target every normal human with the potential of giving birth to a child with mutated genes that can be passed down. With the mutants facing extinct at the hands of the Sentinels, our core X-men group decided to send back one of their own to prevent the Sentinels from ever being created. If the audience doesn’t get a brain cramp from sorting out how the future influences the past, how the past influenced the present and how changing events in history affects both time periods, Days of Future Past has enough action to be entertaining.
The strongest asset of Days of Future Past is its appealing cast: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy and Peter Dinklange really a lot of star power to this middling tale. The X-men franchise has a serious continuity problem and this movie does its best to client it up but it’s not a must see.
Words and Pictures is a charming rom-com starting Clive Owen and Juliette Binoche. Clive Owen is a rakish charming English teacher at a prep school in what looks like New England. Jack Marcus is a high functioning alcoholic whose job is on the line. Jack was a upcoming writer who has cease publishing new works and is going through the motions with his honors English classes. Juliette Binoche, playing against type, is an ice cold artist who joins the staff as a honors art teacher. Dina Delsanto lights a spark in Jack and what ensues is an inspiring “battle” between the Arts and English classes. This battle invigorates everyone involved. Valerie Tian (Emily), Bruce Davison (Walt) and Navid Negahban (Rashid) co-stars. In this delightful Spring flick. This is one of the strongest roles Clive Owen delivers in a while and he is worth the price of admission.
Release date: May 23, 2014
I haven’t seen a movie this funny since Bridesmaids (2011). All of the characters are flawed, the plot is simple and the ensemble cast has great comedic timing and chemistry. In Neighbors, it’s a yuppie 30’s couple (Rose Byrne & Seth Rogen) versus a fraternity on a mission to make history. With a new baby in the house the Radners just want the baby to sleep while the frat brothers just want to stay up all night. The battle of the wills does such a great job of bringing out the worst in everybody that the only person I actually liked in the end was the baby Stella. This movie is not appropriate for young adults. The audience has to be strong enough to stomach multiple scenes with penises, Rogen’s hairy back, sex scenes and far too many shots of Rogen’s naked, oversized gut.
8 out of 9
Guest Blogger from Seattle
I’ve never been a big fan of Spiderman and I don’t plan to see the new movie. My friend and fellow blogger, Chery Davis, went to a sneak peek on Wednesday. Here’s her review. Also check out her other videoes on her You Tube Channel.
“I enjoyed the Amazing Spiderman 2 I’m not saying it’s perfect but it’s a grittier comic book action film that is delving into the emotions of Peter Parker aka Amazing Spiderman to show the ‘Why’ or should I say id of the man, the myth the legent.
This is a good stand alone film where if your not a comic book fan or skipped the reboot this explains his family tragedy in a way vastly different from othr films. This is a much darker film with enemies surrounding Peter with his one lone light to keep him comfort in the darkness that is New York City on the eve of realizing wo really is behding all of the super villians that Spiderman will face for the rest of his life. You can see what’s coming next from the fast sweep of a room (make sure you look closely) for hints on future villians as well as understanding why and how he came to be.
I’m recommending seeing this film and splurging on 3D which adds texture and makes you feel part of the movie. You might get a little motion sickness .. just kidding (sort of) but you will definitely feel how alone Peter aka Spidey feels in this sprawling metropolis with no idea of who is foe or friend.
The Amazing Spiderman 2 – B
P.S. you don’t have to stay till the end of the credits no ‘surprise’ in sight!”
The latest film from Jim Jarmusch, although not for everybody, is one of his best yet. Starring Tilda Swinton (Eve) and Tom Hiddleston (Adam) as lovers who have been together for centuries. Currently, Adam is a reclusive musician living in Detroit, while Eve is based in Tangiers. Sensing that Adam is depressed and possibly suicidal, Eve travels to Detroit ,via several night flights, to cheer him up. Their idyll reunion is upset by the unsuspected arrival of Eve’s younger sister Ava (Mia Wasikowka). This slow paced poetic movie is a thoughtful look at life as seen by a group of vampires who have seen and done it all but are still able to appreciate the beauty in life. Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston are perfectly cast as ethereal couple who are devoted to each other make vampires cool again.
As aside, this film features one of the best soundtracks that I’ve heard in a long time. In addition to the great atmospheric music by Jozef Van Wissem and SQÜRL, the movie includes a diverse group of songs from Black Rebel Motorcyle Club to Wanda Jackson.
Playing in limited release.
This little sci-fi treat features a serious Johnny Depp as an out-of-the-box scientist trying to upload computers with consciousness. Rebecca Hall (The Town, Frost/Nixon, Closed Circuit), Morgan Freeman and Paul Bettany (The Da Vinci Code & Iron Man series) play his like-minded colleagues until an anti-technology terrorist organization throws a wrench in their plans. In a last ditch effort to test Dr. Caster’s life’s work, his team uploads his brain activity into a computer and waits for the fallout. Transcendence has an interesting plot filled with drama, intrigue and deep thoughts. Whichever character you’re rooting for will greatly depend on how you feel about what’s best for the future of mankind and the role technology should play.
7 out of 9
Guest blogger from Seattle
I am really excited to see Captain America: Winter Solider this weekend. It’s been a minute since I’ve been excited for a release. What other fabulous movies are being released this year.
The Marvel Universe has slowly been growing on mainly because of Loki. That being said, I am unsure of Guardians of the Galaxy. I’m not a comic book reader, so I’ve never heard of this group until news of the movie hit. There’s a great cast: Lee Pace, Zoe Saldana, Djimon Hounsou, Benicio del Toro, John C. Reilly, but the trailer looks like of crazy.
Well this mixture of Sci Fi, Comedy and Big Budget work?
Synopsis
Guardians of the Galaxy expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe.
To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer.
But when Peter discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand with the galaxy’s fate in the balance. (via IMDB)
Release date August 1, 2014
(An August movie, not a good sign)
For years, I have wanted to see Shen Yun. The dance troupe travels constantly and always performs in the LA area during the beginning of the year.
I am a fan of Classical Chinese music and dance. The dancers always seem so otherworldly with their grace and movements which are so unlike Euro- American ones that I am accustomed to.
Last Saturday, I splurged and purchased an orchestra seat and sat down waiting to be captivated for two hours. Let me tell you, I was EXTREMELY disappointed in the production.
I’m a traditional kind of nerd and if I going to see a dance performance, I like the performers to just dance. The dance itself should speak for itself.
Image how surprised I was, when the narrators step onto the stage after the first performance. The show was entitled Heaven and Earth and it examined life in China over the last five thousand years. So, having narrators set up each scene really disrupt the flow of the evening. In addition to the dancers, the audience had the opportunity to listen to opera singers. I didn’t realize until the performers came out to take there bows that there were two different singers. Ooopsie
China is an ethnically diverse and the show include many folk dances from the Qiang, Mongolian, Hmong and other dances from across the region.
All I can say is do your research before you purchase tickets to me. I generally say “oh this looks good lets check it out.” With the philosophy I’ve seen a lot of great shows with the occasion clunker in there. Shen Yun was definitely a clunker.
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