Actress Spotlight of Melissa McCarthy

        In Hollywood there are a numerous amount of very talented actors and actresses that have great performances in just about every movie they are in. One of those Actresses is Melissa McCarthy and today I'm going to spotlight her career by listing the movies she has been in, my 3 favorite films she has been in, list of notable awards she has one as well as any future projects she has in the works. So without further ado...

Melissa McCarthy's Filmography

Year	Film	Role
1998	God	Margaret
1999	Go	Sandra
2000	Charlie’s Angels	Doris
2000	Drowning Mona	Shirley
2000	Auto Motives	Tonnie
2000	Disney’s The Kid	Sky King Waitress
2002	Pumpkin	Cici Pinkus
2002	The Third Wheel	Marilyn
2002	White Oleander	Paramedic
2003	The Life of David Gale	Nico the Goth Girl
2003	Chicken Party	Tot Wagner
2003	Kim Possible: The Secret Files	DNAmy
2003	Charlie’s Angels Full Throttle	Woman at Crime Scene
2006	Cook-Off!	Amber Strang
2007	The Nines	Margaret/Melissa/Mary
2007	The Capitan	Fran
2008	Just Add Water	Slema
2008	Pretty Ugly People	Becky
2010	The Back-Up Plan	Carol
2010	Life as We Know it	DeeDee
2011	Bridesmaids	Megan Price
2012	This is 40	Catherine
2013	Identity Thief	Diana/Dawn Budgie
2013	The Hangover Part III	Cassy
2013	The Heat	Det. Shannon Mullins
2014	Tammy	Tammy Banks
2014	St. Vincent	Maggie Bronstein
2015	Spy	Susan Cooper

Top 3 Favorite Films

1. Bridesmaids

2. The Hangover Part III

3. Spy

Melissa McCarthy's Awards & Nominations

Year	Award Type	Film	Win/Nomination
2011	Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress	Bridesmaids	Nominated

Future Projects

2016- The Boss

2016- Ghostbusters
TBA- B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations

        So ladies and gentlemen what do you think of Melissa McCarthy's acting career? Let me know in the comments section and let your voice be heard.

                                                                                                                           Jonah Sparks

My Review of Miles Ahead

        So I recently watched Miles Ahead and I'm here to bring you my review. So without further ado...







        In the 1970s, down-and-out jazz trumpeter Miles Davis (played by Don Cheadle) tries to recover his new session tape from music producers.

       

        This was a pretty decent film. Miles Davis was a guy who had some of the best music in the world and he was a tremendous artist and he faced a lot of demons within his life and tragically we lost him way too soon. Don Cheadle is the perfect person to play this part and he is spot on as Miles Davis and this is a performance that deserves a lot of Oscar attention mainly because it's a passionate and realistic portrayal of one of the greatest musicians of all-time. The rest of the film however is kinda dull and one of the big gaping holes is the plot and the way they try to tell the story. All you get throughout the film is just minor moments that show the great highlights of his career and life, but none of it really fits well together and the film is just messy. This was Don Cheadle's directorial and screenwriting debut and while he had a great intentions, this might've been to big of a project for him to take on for his first film. It has a all of the expected troupes that you see in bio-pics, but none of them are executed and you get bored and the film is just way too predictable even if you don't the know the story of Miles Davis. Overall this is a basic bio-pic with no real substance, but Don Cheadle gives and absolutely amazing performance in what is otherwise a very poor film. I give Miles Ahead a 4 out of 10.

        So ladies and gentlemen what did you think of Miles Ahead, what would you rate it and what did you think of my review? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.

                                                                                                                           Jonah Sparks

4-4-16 Movie News

        Hello ladies and gentlemen, here is some movie news with some of my thoughts and opinions (which will be in BOLD print). So without further ado...

(NOTE: All of these stories come from comingsoon.net)

        Following a tease from the man himself this weekend, Alcon Entertainment has confirmed that wrestler-turned-actor Dave Bautista has been cast in an important supporting role in the upcpming Blade Runner 2. He joins Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard alongside Ryan Gosling and Robin Wright in the film. Denis Villeneuve (Sicario, Prisoners) is directing the film, with principal photography scheduled to begin this July. Blade Runner 2 will be released by Warner Bros. in North America on January 12, 2018. Sony Pictures Releasing International will distribute in all overseas territories in all media. Blade Runner 2 (which has still not announced its official title) is set several decades after the 1982 original. The film is written by Hampton Fancher and Michael Green, and succeeds the initial story by Fancher and David Peoples based on Philip K. Dick’s novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”. Story details have not been revealed. Alcon Entertainment acquired the Blade Runner 2, television and ancillary franchise rights to the franchise in 2011 from the late producer Bud Yorkin and Cynthia Sikes Yorkin to produce prequels and sequels to the iconic science-fiction thriller. Cynthia Sikes Yorkin will produce along with Johnson and Kosove. Bud Yorkin will receive producer credit. Frank Giustra and Tim Gamble, CEO’s of Thunderbird Films, will serve as executive producers. Ridley Scott will also executive produce. Bautista is currently reprising his role as Drax the Destroyer in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. He can next be seen in the Melissa McCarthy comedy The Boss, in addition to Kickboxer Vengeance with Jean-Claude Van Damme and Gin Carno, and Lionsgate’s action film Marauders. He was last seen in SPECTRE, Riddick, and The Man with the Iron Fists.

        I really like this casting. Now I know that Dave Bautista isn't the greatest actor in the world, but if you put him in the right role with very little dialogue, then he can be quite effective. If I had to guess who or what he is going to play, I would have to say he is going to be the main villain/replicant that Ryan Gosling will have to face. I think Bautista's character will be along the lines of what Rutger Hauer's character was. I've said before I'm excited for this film and if you haven't checked out the first film you definitely need to. 

        It’s been over a year since any news has come out regarding the highly-anticipated The Last of Us movie, and there’s apparently a reason behind that. Speaking with IGN, The Last of Us game director and writer of the film’s script, Neil Druckmann, revealed that the film has entered a place even Joel can’t escape from. “I know I said in an interview a while back we had a table read, got the script to a good place and it kind of entered development hell like these things tend to do,” he said. “There hasn’t been any work done on it in over a year and a half.” It was previously revealed that Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams was being eyed for the role of Ellie in the film, though with the film stuck in development, the actress may move on toward other projects. The Last of Us follows hardened survivor Joel and Ellie, a young and capable girl, on their journey through a radically transformed world. Set twenty years after an infectious pandemic spread by the cordyceps virus ravaged the course of humanity, these two people, who were brought together by chance, must make life-altering decisions in order to survive. The Last of Us explores themes of survival, loyalty, love, and redemption in an emotionally charged expedition across a post-epidemic United States. Druckmann was set to co-produce the film along with Naughty Dog Co-Presidents’ Evan Wells and Christophe Balestra, Game Director Bruce Straley, and filmmaker Sam Raimi via the Ghost House Pictures banner.

        See this is a perfect example of not trusting anything anyone says until the film starts shooting footage. A lot of announcements are made for films because they want everyone to know that they are working on the film. When the film starts gathering footage then the film is actually in the works. I'm a little disappointed that they have taken a year and a half to get footage and cast the film and they have done nothing. It's laziness and it's a shame because this is a property that can work, but if you aren't even going to attempt to make the film, then why even bother. This is what is wrong with Hollywood and how they go about things and it's pathetic. Just scrap the project entirely or get other people to work on it who are willing to instead of being lazy and not doing anything. 

        Back in 2010, New Line/Warner Bros. announced they were developing a big screen, live-action/animated hybrid version of classic Looney Tunes character Speedy Gonzales, to be voiced by George Lopez. Now, Deadline is reporting that “The Fastest Mouse in all Mexico” is back on the fast track at Warners as a fully-animated feature film tentatively titled Speedy, with Mexican actor/director Eugenio Derbez (Instructions Not Included) taking over the voice originated by Mel Blanc from 1953 to 1989. “In Mexico we grew up watching Speedy Gonzalez,” Eugenio Derbez said. “He was like a superhero to us, or maybe more like a revolutionario like Simon Bolivar or Pacho Villa. He watched out for the little people but with a lot of bravado and a weakness for the ladies. I’m really excited to be bringing this character to the big screen. And besides being Mexican— my full name is Eugenio Derbez Gonzalez and I have big ears. The casting couldn’t be better.” Dylan Sellers of Rivers Edge Films and Derbez and Ben Odell of 3pas Studios will produce, with Hank Nelken (Are We Done Yet?, Saving Silverman) scripting the story that is described as a “heist caper,” with both an English and Spanish-language version in the works. “We see this as an origin story of the great master, like a Robin Hood character, who ultimately ends up taking from the rich and giving to the poor,” said Sellers. “In a time when Donald Trump is gaining momentum, the world needs Speedy more than ever.” For many years, Gonzales was a figure of controversy for Warners, with many politically correct factions considering the character an offensive stereotype, despite his continued popularity in Latin America. Joe Dante even poked fun at Speedy becoming a pariah in a scene for 2004’s Looney Tunes: Back in Action. He has since made appearances in several Looney Tunes shows and video games, as well as commercials for Volkswagen and Virgin Media.

        I really like this idea to a point. I like how New Line and Warner Bros. are wanting to make solo films for their Looney Tunes characters, but I don't think this is the one you go with off the bat. Look Speedy Gonzales is a fun character, but he's a side character and I just don't know how the film is going to do. I'm also not a big fan of George Lopez and they could've went with someone else. I'm excited for the various possibilities, but I just don't know if this film is going to work. 

        A24 has revealed the unpredictable first Swiss Army Man trailer, starring Paul Dano, Daniel Radcliffe and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Check it out below! In the film, Hank (Dano) is stranded on a deserted island, having given up all hope of ever making it home again. But one day everything changes when a corpse named Manny (Radcliffe) washes up on shore; the two become fast friends, and ultimately go on an epic adventure that will bring Hank back to the woman of his dreams. Swiss Army Man creates a world like no other—a place of pure fantastical imagination, brimming with magical realism yet featuring two characters whose dreams and fears are entirely relatable.  Swiss Army Man is the feature film debut of acclaimed music video directors Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan (collectively known as DANIELS, and responsible for the beloved “Turn Down For What” video, among many others). Swiss Army Man opens theatrically on June 17, 2016.


        This was a really great trailer. This film has received a lot of attention coming out of the Sundance Film Festival and rightfully so because this is one of the more awkward films to ever be made. It looks like everything I have thought about this film is true and I'm really looking forward to it. It's crazy to think this, but this might be a potential Oscar film and if it is able to get that far then I'll be rooting for the film all the way. 

        Mel Gibson is back and madder than Mad Max, utilizing a Liam Neeson-worthy set of survival skills in the first Blood Father trailer, which you can check out below! Mel Gibson stars as John Link, an ex-convict who must protect his estranged daughter (Erin Moriarty) from violent drug dealers. The action thriller also stars William H. Macy, Thomas Mann, Elisabeth Rohm, Diego Luna and Michael Parks. Written by Peter Craig (The Town) and directed by French helmer Jean-Francois Richet (Mesrine), Blood Father opens in Australia on August 25, and in other territories through Lionsgate later this year.


        This was an awesome trailer. Mel Gibson may be one of the most insane people on the planet and a lot of people don't like him and that's understandable, but you can't deny his acting abilities. He looks absolutely great in this film and the film itself looks intense as can be. I don't know how much publicity the film will get, but I think it has a lot of potential especially with Gibson in front of the camera and I'm excited to check it out. 

        So there you have it ladies and gentlemen, which of these stories peaked your interest or was there another story that interested you? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.

                                                                                                                                         Jonah Sparks

Weekend Box Office Review 4-1-16 to 4-3-16/ Weekend Preview

        Here are the weekend domestic box office results for the weekend of 4-1-16 to 4-316 as well as my 5 key takeaways, as well as my predictions for the top 5 films at the box office this weekend. So without further ado...

Box Office Totals courtesy of boxofficemojo.com

TW	LW	Film	Studio	Weekend	# of Theaters	Total Domestic Gross	Weeks
1	1	Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice	Warner Bros.	$51,335,254	4,256	$260,408,047	2
2	2	Zootopia	Walt Disney Pictures	$19,325,291	3,698	$275,264,601	5
3	3	My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2	Universal Pictures	$11,218,055	3,179	$36,581,785	2
4	-	God’s Not Dead 2	Pure Flix	$7,623,662	2,419	$7,623,662	1
5	4	Miracles from Heaven	TriStar	$7,255,566	3,155	$46,528,491	3
6	5	The Divergent Series: Allegiant	Lionsgate	$5,763,227	3,018	$56,422,951	3
7	6	10 Cloverfield Lane	Paramount Pictures	$4,564,126	2,511	$63,377,186	4
8	-	Meet the Blacks	Freestyle Releasing	$4,055,940	1,015	$4,055,940	1
9	11	Eye in the Sky	Bleecker Street	$3,961,556	1,029	$6,055,931	4
10	7	Deadpool	20th Century Fox	$3,456,595	1,968	$35,065,529	8

1. Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice held onto the number 1 spot, but it had a massive drop at the box office money wise by taking an almost 70% drop.

2. Deadpool continues to hang on in the top 10 for the 8th consecutive week.

3. Meet the Blacks had a terrible opening weekend placement wise, but it was able to make back almost half of it's profit so expect this film to break even and potentially get a much not needed sequel.

4. The biggest loser of the weekend was Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice as it made 69.1% less than it did last weekend and the biggest winner of the weekend was Eye in the Sky as it made 324.9% more than it did last weekend.

5. I went 1 for 5 on my predictions.

Predictions

1. Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice $35 Million

2. The Boss $20 Million
3. Zootopia $14 Million

4. Hardcore Henry $9 Million

5. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 $7 Million

        So ladies and gentlemen what do you think of this weekend's box office totals and what are some of your takeaways? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.

                                                                                                                           Jonah Sparks

My Review of Meet the Blacks

        So I recently watched Meet the Blacks and I'm here to bring you my review. So without further ado...







        When some unexpected money comes his way, Carl Black (played by Mike Epps) moves his family from cold and windy Chicago to bright and sunny Beverly Hills, Calif. As the Blacks settle into their beautiful new home, they start to notice some strange behavior in the neighborhood. Nighttime is approaching, and President El Bama (played by George Lopez) announces that the annual purge is about to begin. Carl and his loved ones must now endure a 12-hour period of lawlessness before they can enjoy life once again.

     

        This is an absolutely dreadful film to watch. Parody films used to be so good because they actually had a story and the jokes that were used weren't forced or cheesy. Today's parody films basically force feed you jokes about current pop culture and none of it is funny because those jokes are made on a daily basis. Mike Epps is such a funny guy and a really talented actor and it's sad to see him try so hard in this film and have none of it work. The rest of the cast just cannot act and there are cameos galore throughout the film and none of them work or even advance the storyline (what little story there is). Overall this us a sad excuse for a film and with the way society is today, the parody film can no longer survive and this might spell the end for the genre. I give Meet the Blacks a 0 out of 10.

        So ladies and gentlemen what did you think of Meet the Blacks, what would you rate it and what did you think of my review? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.

                                                                                                                           Jonah Sparks

My Review of God's Not Dead 2

        So I recently watched God's Not Dead 2 and I'm here to bring you my review. So without further ado...

        High-school history teacher Grace Wesley (played by Melissa Joan Hart) comes under fire for answering a student's (played by Hayley Orrantia) question about Jesus. When Grace refuses to apologize, the school board votes to suspend her and threatens to revoke her teaching certificate. Forced to stand trial to save her career, Grace hires young lawyer Tom Endler (played by Jesse Metcalfe) to defend her in court. Endler devises a powerful strategy to show the jury the historical significance of Wesley's classroom discussion.

        This is an absolutely terrible film. Look the message the film tries to present is one that a lot of people believe in mainly due to their beliefs (I'm in the camp with those people), but you can say the same thing about these types of films and that's that they cater to one side of an argument and they either don't acknowledge the other side or just make those people out to bad or evil. This film does that and it's storyline mostly feels like a sermon and it just pushes an agenda down your throat. The acting from both Melissa Joan Hart and Jesse Metcalfe is atrocious and their characters (like everyone else in the film) are cartoon characters and nothing they say is remotely believable. They also try to make emotional moments to touch your inner soul, but they often come off as cheesy and unrealistic. Overall this film has an agenda and it's geared towards one group of people and unfortunately if you aren't in that group, then you'll leave either disappointed or offended. I give God's Not Dead a 0 out of 10.

        So ladies and gentlemen what did you think of God's Not Dead 2, what would you rate it and what did you think of my review? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.

                                                                                                                           Jonah Sparks

My Top 10 Favorite Directors of All-Time Part 3

        We all have our own favorite films and we mostly only recognize/criticize the actors on screen. But in reality the main person to blame or congratulate on a movie being bad/good is the director. A directors job is to see that everything done behind or in front of the camera is perfect. With that being said I'm going to bring you my top 10 favorite directors of all-time and my 3 favorite films that they have directed.  You can check out my other two lists here and here.These movies are ranked 21-30 so when you see number 5 it is actually number 25. So without further ado...





10. (30) Alfonso Cuarón


1. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
2. Children of Men
3. Gravity



9. (29) Sir Peter Jackson


1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

8. (28) Clint Eastwood


1. Mystic River
2. Million Dollar Baby
3. Unforgiven
7. (27) Terry Gilliam


1. The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus
2. The Fisher King
3. Monty Python and the Holy Grail



6. (26) Paul Thomas Anderson

1. There Will Be Blood

2. Punch-Drunk Love

3. Boogie Nights

5. (25) Miloš Forman


1. Amadeus
2. Man on the Moon
3. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest



4. (24) James Cameron 


1. Terminator 2: Judgement Day
2. True Lies
3. Aliens



3. (23) Charlie Chaplin


1. Modern Times
2. The Great Dictator
3. The Kid



2. (22) Joel Coen


1. O Brother, Where Art Thou?
2. Fargo
3. The Big Lebowksi



1. (21) Richard Linklater


1. Boyhood
2. Bad News Bears (2005)
3. School of Rock

        So ladies and gentlemen what do you think of my list and who are some of your favorite directors of all-time? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Jonah Sparks