Sunday, July 13, 2014

Where Have I Been?, Movie Rreviews


Since I have not posted anything since the latter part of May it would seem that I would be overloaded with great and wonderful things to say.  But, I am not too sure of that and will push on through this writer block thing and come up with some stuff that will do more than fill space.  One of the things I would mention is that this time lapse in posts has yielded many different things, such as:   a very successful prostate reduction procedure, after I was advised it had just gotten too big for its’ britches.  Sometimes you just don’t know how bad something is until you get it straightened out and that is how the results of this procedure has improved my life.  Then there was the 25th anniversary of the Ironman 70.3 Buffalo Springs Lake Triathlon and all of the festivities that go along with that event.  The Lubbock AJ local newspaper did a great job of covering the event with 6 feature articles, many thanks to them.  Then there is a big thanks to Lubbock Sports, the volunteers, and of course all of the athletes that traveled into Lubbock.  Now to get ready for the 26th in 2015.  With the mention of these activities in my life now I know why I haven’t posted, I was just too busy to take the time and I was totally absorbed with the details and time requirement.  But, one thing I did do during this time was sneak into some movies.  So, gander below and see what is showing, good and bad:

Movie Reviews:

“Million Dollar Arm”, **, A true story of two East Indian cricket players who were brought into the states by a sports agent to play Major League Baseball.  While the story was as much about the floundering US sports agent instead of concentrating on the young men, it was almost to the point that if it hadn’t actually happened it would be hard to believe it was a true story.  While it had its’ entertaining points it really drug along in many parts.  I am sure that an audience with real baseball knowledge would find it ridiculous.   Rated PG for mild language and some suggestive content.  

“A Million Ways to Die in the West, *,  A totally stupid movie by Seth McFarland who directed, produced, and starred.  It had some extremely gross scenes that were uncalled for and some of the humor was overwhelmed by this grossness.  The story was weak but centered around the cowardice and love frustrations of McFarland’s character, and the overally crude script was even weaker.  Save your money!  Rated R for strong crude and sexual content, language throughout, some violence and drug material.  

“Jersey Boys”, ****,  The true story of four young men from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey who came together to form the iconic 1960’s rock group “The Four Seasons” starring Frankie Valli.  All of the music produced by this group was presented in the movie, plus the ups and downs of the group and how they responded to it.  One of the things missing from their trials was drugs and booze. That was not their downfall nor did they have these kind of problems that seem to bother other successful groups.  So, I say go see it and I think you will enjoy it.  Rated R for language throughout.  

“Heaven Is for Real”,  ***,  A very fine performance by Greg Kinnear as a model citizen in small town Kansas.  He is the local minister, volunteer fireman, father, husband, and just generally a good guy.  The story concerns a hospitalized citizen of the this fair town who dies, visits heaven and then returns to life only to be met with skepticism and disbelief from friends and neighbors upon his return.  Rated PG for thematic material including some medical situations.  

“Edge of Tomorrow:, ***,  This is a Tom Cruise movie I have been waiting to see.  His character actually plays a coward and must adjust to the fact that he is thrust into a situation that is not usual for his characters.  But, in the end he overcomes the cowardice simply because he must to survive.  He is caught up into a time loop and is repeatedly killed and receives training to become a more efficient soldier.  I feel this movie is worth the matinee ticket at least.  Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, language and brief suggestive material.

“ 22  Jump Street”, *,  Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum are at again as police undercover partners hired to work  at a college campus.  While it has its’ moments of humor it is basically a real bust and very boring.  While I like both of these actors they are just so wasted in this movie.  But, never fear in the closing credits it reveals the many options of sequels to follow, maybe as many as 50 of them.  God forbid!!  Rated R for language throughout, sexual content, drug material, brief nudity and some violence.  

“ X-Men:  Days of Future Past”, **, While I really do not like sci-fi that much there are so many out now I must go see some of them or I am not with it.  While, I do like Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence and Halle Berry that made it more enjoyable.  Wolverine is sent to the past to change the historical outcome concerning the destruction of mankind.  Heavy subject and plot, so if you like sci-fi go see it on the matinee ticket.  Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi violence and action, some suggestive materials, nudity and language.  

Please note that even though it has been some time since I have written reviews, most of these movies are still in the theaters.  

EA, SH......:)!

greerman