The Walk (2015)

As Simon Cowell used to say, the entire performance felt a bit indulgent. Self-important also comes to mind. I thought they did a better job with the documentary on this stunt. Not sure a feature film was needed.

Rating: C

Stretch (2014)

Bonkers, on purpose. Unfortunately they played to a lot of clichés, which took away from some of the fun—especially the obvious ending. 

Rating: C

Iron Man 3 (2013)

Filled with a million plot holes. Not worth suspending belief for.

Rating: D

13 Hours (2016)

I can’t speak to how accurate the film is, but I can say the screenplay was pretty intense. Almost nonstop action reminiscent of Blackhawk Down. Does a decent job of putting the audience inside the action and makes you contemplate how it might be if you were there. You’ll definitely appreciate your shitty 9-5 more after this.

Rating: B

The Lone Ranger (2013)

Long, dumb, and uninspired. Clichéd characters act out clichéd scenes in a two dollar script. The actress who played Alice in BBCs Luther deserved better.

Rating: D-

World War Z (2013)

I had high expectations going in to this one. I’m a huge zombie fan, I read the book, and I knew they had a massive budget to work with. First off, the movie shares very little with the novel. I think they just wanted to use the title. The book wasn’t that great, so I had no qualms about a new storyline.

What did really bother me were the zombies. It’s like they took the infected from 28 Days Later, fed them crack, and then CGI’d the crap out of them. Apparently dying also gives them superhuman abilities. It was borderline ridiculous, and didn’t feel like a zombie movie at all. The story was ho hum and lacked any emotional depth. A very average zombie movie that should have been awesome.

Rating: C

The Departed (2006)

It's fortunate for the viewer that the source material for this film was so good, but also that the man overseeing it's American adaptation is such a master of his craft. Namely: Martin Scorsese.

This could have been just another crime drama; but with a top notch screenplay, A-list actors, appropriate editing, and the aforementioned direction, it excels into richer territory.

Was this the film most deserving of Scorsese's Oscar? Maybe. I find Oscars are rarely given when they are most deserved. Either way, it's a worthy candidate and a great film.

Rating: B+

Flight (2012)

A film about addiction, heroism, culpability, and recovery. Dark at times and somewhat depressing. Not a lot of likable characters to get behind. I felt it ended well though.

Rating: C+

The Grey (2011)

I enjoy a good man-versus-nature survival story as much as the next guy, but I expect a satisfying resolution and that at least one person make it out alive. Those are the rules. The Grey provided some thrills, and a lot of chills. That place looked miserably cold. I wasn’t happy with the pacing. Long-winded dramatic speeches followed by quick deaths. Rinse and repeat. Very one note. Points for realism, but I needed more story.

Rating: C