The Rip (2026)

 

Not the Ben and Matt reunion I was hoping for. The script wasn’t very good. Performances didn’t feel genuine. Yawning through the big finale. 

Rating: C-

Game Night (2018)

I enjoyed all the pop culture references throughout the film. It definitely borrows a lot from other movies, especially The Game. Still, it was funny and entertaining.

Rating: C+

The Spectacular Now (2013)

Teen relationship movie. The main character was interesting, but the movie was just average.

Rating: C

The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)

A film portraying the worst side of America. All seven deadly sins are proudly on display. A drug fueled rocket ship to Donald Trump’s summer home in Hell. A bit exhausting and sad to watch, yet entertaining as well. Best Picture nominee? Maybe.

Rating: B+

The Day The Earth Stood Still (2008)

Felt more like a lecture about global warming from Al Gore than a science fiction movie. Fails on every level.

Rating: F

Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

There’s a lot of torture and paperwork to wade through before the big payoff at the end arrives. Plenty of cruelty and human suffering from both sides as well. Don’t mistake this for a traditional action movie—just one really long reenactment. Films should not be nominated for best picture simply because they depict Osama being shot in the head.

Rating: C+

Argo (2012)

Newly crowned Golden Globe winner for best picture is a solid hostage rescue film, with attention to detail and credible acting. Hard to say how factual the film is compared to what actually happened. Many times the scenes felt dramatically forced in order to amp up the its suspense.

I certainly wasn’t impressed on the scale of best picture winner. Then again, I am baffled at 75% of what gets nominated for major awards. Argo was an entertaining 2 hours, with a little history lesson to boot. Nothing more.

Rating: C+

King Kong (2005)

This was a great film to see in the theater. It was made for the big screen. Tons of action, larger than life characters, and great sound. Peter Jackson can do no wrong in my book.

I knew Jack Black had it in him to do a serious role, and I'm glad Peter saw it too. Naomi Watts was perfect in the lead. The ape was simply amazing. Wasn't cartoony looking at all. Yes it was long, but it's a fantastic trip.

Rating: B

Super 8 (2011)

It dawned on me halfway through the movie that films like Goonies and E.T. are a lost art. Fortunately, Abrams and Spielberg team up to create a hybrid of both. The movie is told through the eyes of childhood friends. The dialogue is fun and funny. JJ borrows the few good parts from Cloverfield to keep the audience in suspense. I won’t go so far as to say this is a childhood classic, but it’s certainly refreshing to see someone headed in that direction for a change. I had to suffer through previews for The Zookeeper and Mr. Poppers Penguins. It was like a hobo crapping in my eyes.

Rating: B+