Jurassic World (2015)

I’ve enjoyed all the popcorn flicks in this series. They are complete escapism, especially when watched on the big screen. The story is always the same, but you watch for the incredible dinosaur action and booming sound.

Rating: C

The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

 Wes Anderson films are always unique, if not entertaining. This one is both. They could just as easily have gone with a giant train set-piece, along the same vein as the submarine in Aquatic. Instead, they brilliantly used the real thing, bringing the audience along for the ride through an India seldom seen onscreen.

Anderson's quirky trademark shots are everywhere. This is his film through and through. Most of it works, some  doesn't. Always worth the price of admission.

Rating: B-

The Namesake (2006)

I'm always up for a film that gives me an inside look at a culture I'm mostly unfamiliar with. The pacing is slow--but on the upside, character development is both intimate and rich. Some very touching scenes and a sweet story. A little more editing couldn't hurt though.

Rating: B-

Life Of Pi (2012)

A pretty amazing piece of cinematography. Ang Lee brought the story to life the way few others could. I was engaged throughout, sometimes on the edge of my seat. Hard to believe this was the main character's first acting role. Original as it is beautiful.

Rating: B+

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Right off the bat it was very Dawson’s Creek. Full of teen angst, bullies, students that look in their 20’s, and clichéd scenarios that only take place in make-believe high schools you see in the movies. I thought if they were going to reimagine Spider-Man so soon, they might try to improve upon the last one. The bar wasn’t exactly set very high.

The story unfolds in a very predictable and contrived path, full of happenstance and coincidence. The newest Mickey Mouse Club Peter Parker is as annoying as he is bland. A pointless, ridiculous, and unnecessary remake.

Rating: D-