Mini Movie Review: The Expendables 2: ★★★★

This is exactly what the first movie should have been.  A movie jam-packed with just about every muscle-bound action hero from the 80s AND their infamous one-liners.  Equally as funny as it is violent and loud, the Expendables 2 is the kind of movie you want to watch over and over again.  Only in my wildest adolescent dreams would I have imaged the likes of Schwarzenegger, Stallone, Van Damme and Bruce Willis teaming up in a film together.  The Expendables 2 not only makes that fantasy a reality, it hits it out of the park...and Chuck Norris is the cherry on top!  Go see this...DO IT NOW!!

Mini Movie Review: The Bourne Legacy: ★★½

Great action sequences built into an otherwise weak storyline. Clearly the marketability of the Bourne name was used to draw in a bigger audience.  Besides a microscopic tie in to the previous 3 films, I see no reason why The Bourne Legacy should even be associated with the Matt Damon trilogy.  In fact, I think this would would have been a much better film as a stand alone.  Regardless, Jeremy Renner is great, and there are a couple of sequences that will keep you on the edge of your seat.  Despite the negatives of this movie, I still enjoyed it, for the most part.  I would recommend you see this in the theater if you must, but you might get more for your money's worth if you wait to rent this.

Mini Movie Review: The Dark Knight Rises: ★★★★

Despite not being as good as "the Dark Knight," this third installment of the Christopher Nolan Batman saga makes for an excellent capstone to the prior two films. In my opinion, this is Nolan's worst movie to date, BUT that doesn't mean I think its a bad movie. I watched all three movies back-to-back in the theater making it unavoidable to compare and contrast the films. It was blatantly obvious that "The Dark Knight Rises" was the weakest of the trilogy. However, where the "the Dark Knight Rises" fails to live up to the hype behind it, the film succeeds in having THE best ending of the entire franchise...and what an epic conclusion! Nolan at his best. Regardless, this is a fun movie and Batman fans will find moments of greatness within it. Go see it!!

Mini Movie Review: Prometheus: ★★★½

Prometheus is one of those movies that I spent years looking forward to. It was to be Ridley Scott's triumphant return to Scifi, since his tent-pole films "Alien" and "Blade Runner" set the standard for great scifi. So Naturally, how could one not have extremely high expectations for Prometheus? Those high expectations are probably why I felt some form of disappointment when the credits finally rolled. Initially I walked out of the theater feeling more or less satisfied. But, I found that the longer I thought about what happened (or didn't happen) in "Prometheus" the more questions I had and the more I began to dislike the movie. Overall is wasn't a bad movie though, it just left WAY too many stones unturned, and didn't answer most of the questions raised in the storyline. (A sequel might change my opinion completely.) Definitely go see this movie, seeing it in 3D is worth the extra money too.

Mini Movie Review: The Avengers: ★★★★½

A movie this huge rarely lives up to the hype surrounding it, and one would even assume with so many well established characters and back stories coming together that the Avengers would be a recipe for disaster. But I am delighted to say that Marvel has put together quite possibly the best superhero movie to date. This one will probably break some records at the box office. The action is outstanding, as Marvel does best, and thanks to writer/director Joss Whedon the audience is treated to hilarious locker room banter between the hulking egos of the superhero team. Some interactions even settling the debate of "who would win if they went head to head?"

 There is no need to see this in 3D, but I do admonish you to get yourself to a theater and see this marvel of a film as soon as possible. I know I'm already looking forward to seeing it a second...and third time. Oh, and as most Marvel fans know already, make sure you stay until the final credit rolls.

Mini Movie Review: The Hunger Games: ★★★½

I think my wife said it best about this one: "Not epic, but good." Many important plot points go unmentioned in this movie leaving those of us who did not read the books slightly confused. Despite the silliness of Dr. Seuss-type characters hosting a "Running Man" death match for kids, this movie kept me on the edge of my seat. Fewer things are more disturbing than kids killing kids. I liked this movie, but I'm not about to go see it for a second time. That's why I say, rent this one.

Mini Movie Review: John Carter: ★★½

John Carter is Nothing special. Aside from grade A visual effects, this movie failed to impress. It was entirely too long, I almost fell asleep at one point, and it really felt like John Carter was nothing more than a Disney attempt at making a Star Wars-like film. Could have been titled "Super Mario Star Wars." I say, skip this one.

Mini Movie Review: The Grey: ★★★½

Liam Neeson keeps the bad ass streak alive in this man vs. nature thriller. This movie pulls you in, much like how a pack of wolves would drag you into their den. You can't help but being completely enthralled. High tension from beginning to end, I loved every minute of it. Make sure you see this one while its still showing on the big screen. Oh, and word to the wise, stay for the stinger at the end of the credits, you'll enjoy the ending a lot more if you do.

Mini Movie Review: The Artist: ★★★★

Don't let the fact that this is a silent movie scare you off. The Artist proves that if you strip down all the visual effects, digital sound and big name actors, a movie can still be a beautiful experience. This has become one of my favorite films and I'm sure it could be yours too. Go see it in theaters if you can.

Mini Movie Review: Apollo 18: ★★½

I liked the originality of this "found footage" movie, set in space. We follow two NASA astronauts as they make an eerie discovery on the Moon. Keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the ending is not what you expect. This one is definitely worth renting.

Mini Movie Review: Conan the Barbarian: ½

Well that's an hour and 50 minutes of my life that I can never get back. This felt like it should have been a made for cable-TV movie with some extreme violence. Its not often I feel ripped off for renting a movie for $1, Skip this one completely!

This is officially the worst rated movie on my blog. 1/2 a star is all I give this steaming pile!

Mini Movie Review: The Adventures of Tintin: ★★★

Not as good as I had hoped, but Tin Tin is a fun movie for the whole family. Kids and adults alike should enjoy this one. Not sure if seeing this one in 3D is necessary, but definitely worth seeing.

Mini Movie Review: Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol: ★★★

Good but not "great," doesn't live up to the hype. This 4th installment of the MI franchise meets the bar set by MI3, but doesn't raise it. High octane action blends with what feels to be, out of place comedy, makes it hard to decipher if Ghost Protocol is trying to be an action thriller peppered with slapstick comedy . MI4 is definitely worth seeing, but I would wait to rent it.

Mini Movie Review: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows: ★★★

Better than the original, but drags at many points and feels a bit too long. Enjoyable characters and original, stylized action sequences, thanks to director Guy Ritchie. See this one in theaters if you can afford it, definitely worth seeing.