Rating: Half-Full

 

Cast: Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Bruce Boxleitner and Michael Sheen

 

Director: Joseph Kosinski

 

Writers: Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz

 

Producers: Sean Bailey, Jeffery Silver and Steven Lisberger

 

Music by: Daft Punk

 

Oscar Nominations:

 

Oscar Win: 0

 

Favorite Character: Sam Flynn

 

Tagline: The only way to win is to survive

 

Quote: “Change the scene! Alter the mood! Electrify the boys and girls if you’d be so kind!”- Castor/Zuse

 

Fun Facts: The crowd voices during the disk battle in the beginning of the movie are actually the voices of the audience during the presentation of TRON at Comic-Con.

 

In addition to the soundtrack, Daft Punk are spinning the tunes at the End of Line Club with their trademark helmets.

 

When Flynn’s workstation is first shown, the system uptime (or screen saver runtime) is 20 years, 11 months, 20 days, 16 hours, 22 minutes, 16 seconds (and two other digits that update 15 times per second).

 

The suits the actors had to wear were extremely hot, and when the cameras were not rolling the cast would sit underneath giant yellow air conditioning tubes to cool off.

 

Disney decided not to do a 3rd Tron film. But, in 2017, Disney announced that the Tron film franchise was to be rebooted and Jared Leto was rumored to star.

 

Summary: Kevin Flynn’s son, Sam, gets a signal from his long lost father but then gets sucked into his father’s gaming world and had finally reunited with him.

 

The Review: Insert the coin to begin the sequel. The whole grid has been advanced and more tron-ish but the story is pretty glitchy. On the other hand, the film scores high for its effects. Daft Punk for the score? That is perfect! There could be more tron games. Your eyes will be awed.

 

Rating: Full

 

Cast: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudekis, Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell, Kevin Spacey, Donald Sutherland and Jamie Foxx

 

Director: Seth Gordon

 

Writers: Michael Markowitz, John Francis Daley and Johnathan Goldstein

 

Producers: Brett Ratner and Jay Stern

 

Music by: Christopher Lennertz

 

Oscar Nominations: 0

 

Quote: “You can’t win a marathon without putting some bandaids on your nipples!”- Kurt Buckman

 

Fun Facts: To promote this film, Warner Bros. Pictures Canada set up a 12-foot Voodoo doll resembling a corporate boss in downtown Montreal. People were given the chance to vent their office frustrations on the doll by stabbing and hitting it with large needles. They were also encouraged to share their best/worst boss story for the chance of winning passes to an advance screening of the film.

 

Jennifer Aniston wore a brown wig to make her character a brunette and more oversexed, a departure from her usual lighter roles.

 

Dale (Charlie Day) mentions a funny movie that starred Danny Devito. Charlie Day stars in the TV show, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” with him.

 

Favorite Character: Dale Arbus

 

Summary: Sick and tired of their bosses, three friends plot to murder them.

 

The Review: If you are sick of your boss and want to beat them up, watch this movie instead. A good plot, a great cast and some sexual jokes. I thought it’s hilarious when the bosses is obnoxious. This is the best Dark Comedy so far.

 

Rating: Empty

 

Cast: Seth MacFarlane, Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried, Giovanni Ribisi, Neil Patrick Harris, Sarah Silverman and Liam Neeson

 

Director: Seth MacFarlane

 

Writers: Seth MacFarlane, Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild

 

Producers: Scott Stuber, Seth MacFarlane and Jason Clark

 

Music by: Joel McNeely

 

Song: A Million Ways to Die in the West

Performed by Alan Jackson

 

Oscar Nominations: 0

 

Quote: “People die at the fair.”- Albert Stark

 

Fun Facts: Charlize Theron had to wear a wig for this movie as she had her head buzzed for Mad Max: Fury Road (2015).

 

During his pow-wow with the Indians, Seth says “mila kunis” in Native American speak. The translation below reads “fine”. Mila Kunis plays Meg in Family Guy (1999). She was also in Ted (2012), another Seth MacFarlane film.

 

Christopher Lloyd appeared as “Doc” Emmett L. Brown the who is working on a “weather experiment” in his barn as there are more cameos including Jamie Foxx, Ewan McGregor and Ryan Reynolds.

 

When Albert recites the supposedly Islamic death chant, during his duel with Clinch Leatherwood, he sings “Tarzan boy” by Baltimora.

 

Summary: A sheep farmer is depressed when her girlfriend left him but is able to pick up a new woman in town, not knowing she’s the wife of outlaw, Clinch Leatherwood.

 

The Review: Seth MacFarlane is great in Family Guy and Ted but he missed out on this one. I mean, someone else could have played Albert. The jokes aren’t really that funny, only a few is actually funny. Neil Patrick Harris’ mustache looks fake. The end is the only part that really built me up. One of the Million Ways to Die in the West is watching this mediocre western comedy.

 

 

Rating: Full

 

Cast: Antonio Banderas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Anthony Hopkins, Stuart Wilson and Matt Letscher

 

Director: Martin Campbell

 

Writers: John Eskow, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio

 

Producers: Doug Claybourne and David Foster

 

Music by: James Horner

 

Song: “I Want to Spend my Lifetime Loving You” performed by Marc Anthony and Tina Arena

 

Rated: PG-13 for some intense action and violence

 

Oscar nominations: 2 (Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing)

 

Oscar Wins: 0

 

Quote: “You’re doing well. Your brother would have shot himself by now.”- Captain Harrison Love

 

Fun Facts: Antonio Banderas would later provide the voice of Puss N Boots in Shrek 2 (2004) and Puss in Boots (2011). The character of Puss N’Boots is essentially Zorro in cat form.

 

Robert Rodriguez was originally attached to direct, but the studio didn’t agree with his much-more violent and R-rated proposal.

 

The film caught the attention of European Royalty with the film’s foreign premieres. Spain’s King Juan Carlos I, Queen Sophia, and Princess Elena attended the first Royal premiere in Madrid in seven years. On December 10, 1998, a Royal Command Performance for Zorro was toplined by Prince Charles and his sons.

 

Summary: The original Zorro has been imprisoned for 20 years and has escaped to get revenge on the man who imprisoned him, murdered his wife and stole his daughter. But since he is getting old, he has to train a young thief to be a hero that he once was.

 

The Review: Zorro had seemed to hit the mark with this film. It is basically a Monte Crisco style story at the beginning. Speaking of story, it is quite entertaining. With great action sequences, knows where Zorro will arrive next.

 

 

Rating: Half-full

 

Cast: Dustin Hoofman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, Bob Hoskins, and Maggie Smith

 

Director: Steven Spielberg

 

Writers: Jim V. Hart and Malia Scotch Marmo

 

Producers: Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Gerald R. Molen

 

Music by: John Williams

 

Song: When You’re Alone performed by Amber Scott

 

Oscar Nominations: 5 (Best Visual Effects, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Best Original song (When You’re Alone))

 

Oscar Wins: 0

 

Quote: “”What is this? Lord of the Flies preschool?”- Peter Banning/Peter Pan

 

Fun Facts: When the Bannings fly to England, the pilot’s voice is that of Dustin Hoffman (Captain Hook) – “This is your captain speaking…” (get the picture?)

 

Robin Williams became best friends with director Steven Spielberg after making this film. Reportedly, after Williams’s death, Spielberg decided to watch this film out of rememberance, but couldn’t finish it because he couldn’t stop crying for hours

 

Writer James V. Hart credits the inspiration for his take on this continuing Peter Pan story to his young son Jake who one day asked him what would have happened if Peter Pan grew up.

 

Julia Roberts almost put the production into jeopardy when she fled California after her wedding to Kiefer Sutherland was called off. She decided to avoid the press by hiding out in Ireland, and a furious Steven Spielberg reportedly threatened to fire her if she didn’t return immediately.

 

The child playing Peter Pan in the play at the beginning of the movie is actually a girl. This in an allusion to most live action Peter Pan movies and stage plays which have a female in the title role.

 

Joseph Mazzello was considered for the role of ‘Jack’, but turned down, being too young for the role at the time. Steven Spielberg, however, promised him a role in a future film, Jurassic Park (1993), as Dr. Hammond’s grandson, Tim.

 

One of the pirates who attempts to steal Peter’s shoes when he first arrives in Neverland is played by singer Jimmy Buffett.

 

Summary: An all grown up Peter Pan must return to Neverland after Captain Hook kidnapped his children.

 

The Review: Let’s think…what would happen if Peter Pan actually grows up? It may be such a fairy tale of the next generation but the plot actually could use some work. Our dear late friend Robin Williams gives an ok performance as Peter Pan and Dustin Hoofmen did great as Captain Hook but if this is the play it will still be a so-so show but still, it is full of magic and imagination.

Rating: Full

 

Cast: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evens, Kevin Kline, Josh Gad, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Audra McDonald, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Ian McKellen, and Emma Thompson

 

Director: Bill Condon

 

Writers: Stephen Chbosky and Even Spiliotopoulos

 

Producers: David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman

 

Music by: Alan Menken

 

Song: Evermore performed by Josh Groben

 

Quote: “How’d you feel about growing a beard?”- Belle

 

Fun Facts: Sir Ian McKellen originally turned down the voice of Cogsworth in the original Beauty and the Beast (1991).

 

Emma Watson (Belle), Emma Thompson (Mrs. Potts), Luke Evans’ (Gaston) and Nathan Mack’ (Chip) all share the same birthday, April 15, which was also the date of the first cast read through.

 

Le Fou (Josh Gad) is Disney’s first canonical gay character in a feature-length film.

 

Out of all of the new Disney remakes: Alice in Wonderland (2010), Maleficent (2014), Cinderella (2015), The Jungle Book (2016), and Pete’s Dragon (2016), this has the longest running time yet at 2hrs 9min. This also makes it the only one so far to reach the 2 hour mark.

 

Summary: A French maiden tries to find her father in the mysterious castle and takes her father place as prisoner. There she befriends the beast and the other enchanted objects who are cursed.

 

The Review: This is another lovely Disney adaption. Like Cinderella, the costumes and production design steals the show. Love the design of Mrs. Potts. The CGI looks a little too animated though. The new songs are great. As all magic as all this time, I call it dazzling.

 

 

 

Rating: Full

 

Cast: James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Jay Bariuchel, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, Michael Cera and Emma Watson

 

Directors: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg

 

Writers: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg

 

Producers: Seth Rogen, Even Goldberg and James Weaver

 

Music by: Henry Jackman

 

Rated: R for crude and sexual content throughout, brief graphic nudity, pervasive language, drug use and some violence

 

Quote: “I always keep my props.”- James Franco

 

Fun Fact: The day Seth Rogen filmed the first scene of the movie, where he goes to pick up Jay Baruchel at the airport, is also the same day he filmed a special feature for the movie Paul (2011). Rogen never bothered to change his wardrobe and is wearing the same clothes in both movies.

 

Favorite Part: The ending (I didn’t want to give away major spoilers).

 

Favorite Character: Seth Rogen

 

Synopsis: Jay Baruchel is visiting Seth Rogen in Los Angeles and they decided to head to James Franco’s housewarming party where many celebrities are attending. But the apocalyptic events happened, making Seth, Jay, James, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson and Danny McBride the only survivors in the house. As they try to survive, Seth realized that the people got sucked up in blue beams earlier was them going to heaven and they don’t because they are not really at good heart. Now they must try and survive the apocalypse or even better, try to get into heaven by redeeming themselves.

 

The Review: I like the idea of celebrities playing themselves. Basically, it’s My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic for adults, and instead of colorful ponies, it’s foul-mouthed, drunk, drug taking actors. The visual effects are okay but Danny McBride is a perfect jerk. It has lessons about friendship and redemption. It is also a basic how to survive the apocalypse. It also contains a bit of the exorcist. I say it is chaotic and fun.

 

 

Rating: Full

 

Cast: John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Thandie Newton, Danny Glover and Woody Harrelson

 

Director: Roland Emmerich

 

Writers: Harold Kloser and Roland Emmerich

 

Producers: Harold Kloser Mark Gordon and Larry Franco

 

Music by: Harold Kloser

 

Song: Time for Miracles

By Adam Lambert

 

Rated: PG-13 for intense disaster sequences and some language

 

Quote: “Today, none of us are strangers. Today, we are one family, stepping into the darkness together. We are a nation of many religion, but I believe these words reflect the spirit of all our faiths. The Lord is my Shepard…”- President Wilson

 

Fun Facts: Some cinemas started the film at 20:12 (8:12 pm).

The character Jackson Curtis is the real name of 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson) backwards. Director Roland Emmerich is a big fan of rapper 50 Cent and wanted to name his lead character after him.

 

The eighth film released in select D-BOX enabled cinemas.

 

Summary: A writer tries to save his family when apocalypse strikes on 12-21-12.

 

The Review: What if the rumors are true? What if the world ending in 2012 is true? Well the film sorta exactly tell us what would happen. The climax is totally thick and the visual effects are just…awesome. It does have some mediocre clichés. But 2012 is a must watch disaster movie.

 

 

 

 

 

Rating: Half-Full

 

Cast: Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton

 

Director: Jan De Bont

 

Writers: Michael Crichton and Anne-Marie Martin

 

Producers: Kathleen Kennedy, Ian Bryce and Michael Crichton

 

Music by: Mark Mancina

 

Song: Humans Being

Performed by Van Helen

Music and lyric by: Anthony, Hager, A. Van Helen, and E. Van Helen

 

Rated: PG-13 for intense depiction of very bad weather

 

Quote: “I gotta go Julia. We got cows.”- Melissa

 

Fun Fact: A jet engine from a Boeing 707 was used to generate wind in some scenes.

Synopsis: After the tornado killed her father when she was a little girl, Jo Harding became a storm chaser. But her she and her husband Bill had a difficult marriage and is about to get a divorce. Jo invented DOROTHY, a device that will collect data from the tornado. But soon get in rival with Jonas Miller, who has a similar device. None of the devices were successful but the chase is on to get the data.

 

The Review: The tornado had sucked up the storyline, but I love the opening scene. The visual effects steals the show. It is the disaster movie of the 90’s.

 

Rating: Overflowing

 

Cast: Will Arnett, Zack Galifianakis, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson, Ralph Fiennes

 

Director: Chris McKay

 

Writers: Seth Grahame-Smith, Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Jered Stern, John Whittington

 

Producers: Dan Lin, Roy lee, Phil Lord, and Christopher Miller

 

Music by: Lorne Balfe

 

Quote: “Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad. I… I saved the city again today. I think you would’ve been really proud.”- Bruce Wayne/Batman

 

Fun Facts: The week of the film’s theatrical release, The CW network aired commercials featuring Lego versions of Arrow, The Flash and Supergirl, voiced by Stephen Amell, Grant Gustin and Melissa Benoist, respectively.

 

Eddie Izzard voices Lord Voldemort from the Harry Potter franchise as a cameo. Either coincidentally or not, Ralph Fiennes, who portrays Alfred in this movie, is most known for playing Voldemort.

 

Director Chris McKay originally wanted to include a number of villains from R-rated films among the Phantom Zone prisoners, but he was forced to drop as it was deemed too inappropriate for an all-ages movie to include them. Some of said dropped villains McKay wanted included Bill (from Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) ), Annie Wilkes (from Misery (1990) ), Bill “The Butcher” Cutting (from Gangs of New York (2002) ), and HAL 9000 (from 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) ).

 

On a marquee in the background in Gotham is a “Two Shades Darker” screening at that theater. Fifty Shades Darker (2017) screened at theaters nationwide the same weekend as The LEGO Batman Movie (2017).

 

Favorite Character: Dick Grayson/Robin

 

Summary: Batman realizes that if he wants to stop the Joker, he is going to hafta work with others including his new adopted son, Dick Grayson/Robin.

 

The Review: After the Batman v Superman disaster, DC has completely made up to hollywood. Like the Lego Movie, This spin-off has a very thick plotline. With great characters, they brought this movie to life! One of the best films of 2017!