My Top 10 Favorite Spy Films of All-Time Part 2

        The spy film genre, which is mainly the subgenre of thriller and action, deals with the subject of fictional espionage, either in a realistic way or as a basis for fantasy. So with that being said I'm going to bring you my top 10 favorite spy films of all-time. You can check out my other list here. These movies are ranked 11-20 so when you see number 5 it is actually number 15. So without further ado...





10. (20) Kingsman: The Secret Service


          This may be a more recent film, but it is still a great spy film. Kingsman: The Secret Service tells the story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency's ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius. Kingsman: The Secret Service has a rating of 74% on rottentomatoes.com.

9. (19) Moonraker

        This is such a campy and fun Bond film.   James Bond (played by Roger Moore) investigates the mid-air theft of a space shuttle and discovers a plot to commit global genocide from the sinister Hugo Drax (played by Micheal Lonsdale). Moonraker has a rating of 62% on rottentomatoes.com.

8. (18) Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

        This is the film that started one of the best trilogies of all-time. Austin Powers (played by Mike Meyrs), by day a hipster fashion photographer in mid-'60s swingin' London and by night a crime-fighting secret agent. Austin's wardrobe is pure Carnaby Street at its most outrageous, his vocabulary is crowded by the cool lingo of the day, and he's irresistible to women, despite the fact that he can be charitably described as "stocky" and has teeth that strike fear into any practicing dentist. When his nemesis, the arch-enemy Dr. Evil (played by Mike Myers), has himself cryogenically frozen and sent into space, Powers also has himself put on ice so he can be thawed out when Dr. Evil returns. Come 1997, Dr. Evil returns to Earth and is back to his old tricks, so Austin is thawed out and returned to active service -- though he soon discovers his style doesn't play so well 30 years on. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery has a rating of 70% on rottentomatoes.com.

7. (17) The World is Not Enough

        This isn't the best Bond film by a longshot, but it is still a great and fun film. In the 19th Bond adventure, 007 (played by Pierce Brosnan) must resolve a potentially deadly power struggle between two unstable nations, with control of the world's oil supply as the ultimate prize. Bond is assigned as bodyguard to Elektra King (played by Sophie Marceau), the daughter of a petroleum magnate who was brutally murdered, and is trying to foil the fiendish plot of Renard (played by Robert Carlyle), a villain who was shot in the head with an unusual result: he cannot feel physical pain, an apparent failing that proves to be a considerable asset. The World is Not Enough has a rating of 51% on rottentomatoes.com.

6. (16) GoldenEye

        This is such a fun film and it was a really different take on the James Bond franchise. As the story begins, Agent 007 James Bond (played by Pierce Brosnan) and his partner, Agent 006 (played by Sean Bean), pull a daring raid on a chemical weapons plant in the Soviet Union; however, they are captured by Russian troops, and while Bond is able to escape, 006 is not so lucky. Several years later, the Soviet Union and the Cold War are a thing of the past, but Bond is still at work ferreting out evildoers everywhere. Xenia Onatopp (played by Famke Janssen), a beautiful but vicious villain working with the Russian Mafia, spearheads the theft of the controls to GoldenEye, a high-tech satellite weapons system, and with her gunmen, she kills most of the soldiers and guards at a top-secret military facility in the process. Bond joins forces with Natalya Simonova (played by Izabella Scorupco), one of the base's few survivors, to help track down Onatopp's minions and the controls to GoldenEye, which can destroy all electronic circuits in a given area in a matter of seconds; however, in time, Bond discovers the true identity of the criminal mastermind who is behind this bid for unholy power and world domination -- none other than Alec Trevelyan, the man Bond once knew as 006. GoldenEye has a rating of 82% on rottentomatoes.com.

5. (15)  Austin Powers in Goldmember

        IMHO this is the best Austin Powers film in the franchise. Austin Powers in Goldmember continues the exploits of the swinging-'60s leftover Austin Powers (played by Mike Meyers), who, as the film opens, is busy critiquing a big-budget Hollywood production of his life story, replete with a 20-million-dollar star in the lead role and a slew of John Woo-style action scenes. But not far from the soundstage lurks arch nemesis Dr. Evil (played by Mike Myers), who has opened up a talent agency representing some of the industry's biggest stars -- all the while channeling their profits into a diabolical world-destruction plan with the unfortunate code name Preparation H. Dr. Evil presents a distraction to Austin by kidnapping his similarly swingin' father, Nigel Powers, and transporting him back in time to 1975. Travelling there to save his father -- and in turn win back his dad's sometimes-errant affection -- Austin comes across the alluring superspy Foxxy Cleopatra (played by Beyonce Knowles). The three of them travel back to the present day, where they join forces to battle Dr. Evil and his posse of nefarious evil-doers, including the trusty clone Mini-Me (played by Verne Troyer); his snotty son, Scott (played by Seth Green); the inimitable Fat Bastard (played by Mike Myers); and the eponymous new addition to the fold: the epidermis-obsessed, precious-metal-fortified Dutchman called Goldmember (played by Mike Myers). Austin Powers in Goldmember has a rating of 54% on rottentomatoes.com. Austin Powers in Goldmember has a rating of 54% on rottentomatoes.com.

4. (14) Dr. No

        This is the film that started one of the greatest franchises of all-time and had this film failed then we wouldn't have James Bond today. James Bond (played by Sean Connery)'s investigation of a missing colleague in Jamaica leads him to the island of the mysterious Dr. No (played by Joseph Wiseman) and a scheme to end the US space program. Dr. No has a rating of 98% on rottentomatoes.com.

3. (13) Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

        This is by far the best Austin Powers film and it is very memorable for introducing one of the best characters in the franchise. Austin Powers -- fashion photographer, denizen of Swingin' London, international espionage agent, and bane of dental hygienists everywhere -- returns in his second screen adventure. Powers (played by Mike Myers), a 1960s superspy stranded in the 1990s, discovers that his nemesis, criminal genius Dr. Evil (played by Mike Myers), has somehow stolen his "mojo" (the secret to his otherwise inexplicable sex appeal) and traveled back in time to the 1960s as part of his latest fiendish scheme. Powers must also travel back in time to retrieve it, but if Austin doesn't quite fit into 1998, he's been there just long enough not to fit in in 1968 anymore, either. Powers also discovers that Dr. Evil has new allies this time: Mini-Me (played by Verne Troyer), a clone of Dr. Evil one-eighth his size but just as nasty; Fat Bastard (played by Myers), whose name describes him just fine; and vixenish assassin Robin Swallows (played by Gia Carides). Powers' lack of mojo also proves troublesome when he's paired with his new partner, saucy CIA operative Felicity Shagwell (played by Heather Graham). Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me has a rating of 51% on rottentomatoes.com. 

2. (12) Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

 

         This is a spectacular and an amazing spy film This is not just another mission. The IMF is shut down when it's implicated in a global terrorist bombing plot. Ghost Protocol is initiated and Ethan Hunt (played by Tom Cruise) and his rogue new team must go undercover to clear their organization's name. No help, no contact, off the grid. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol has a rating of 93% on rottentomatoes.com.

1. (11) True Lies

        This is a fun and amazing film that I can enjoy over and over every time I watch it. By day Harry Tasker (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a mild-mannered computer salesman with a wife and teenage daughter. But at other times, he is a high-ranking spy living on the edge. His wife hasn't a clue that he and his partner Gib (played by Tom Arnold) are constantly in danger. After Tasker begins to suspect her of infidelity, he uses every trick in the book to verify his suspicions. Everything blows apart when Helen (played by Jamie Lee Curtis), his wife finally learns the truth about her heretofore dull husband. True Lies has a rating of 72% on rottentomatoes.com.

        So ladies and gentlemen what are some of your favorite spy films and what do you think of my list? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.

                                                                                                                           Jonah Sparks

7-30-15 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)


        Warner Bros. Pictures has revealed the new Black Mass trailer, which you can check out below! Director Scott Cooper’s crime drama stars Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rory Cochrane, Jesse Plemons, Kevin Bacon, W. Earl Brown, David Harbour, Dakota Johnson, Julianne Nicholson, Corey Stoll, Peter Sarsgaard, Adam Scott, and Juno Temple. In 1970s South Boston, FBI Agent John Connolly (Edgerton) persuades Irish mobster James “Whitey” Bulger (Depp) to collaborate with the FBI and eliminate a common enemy: the Italian mob. The drama tells the true story of this unholy alliance, which spiraled out of control, allowing Whitey to evade law enforcement, consolidate power, and become one of the most ruthless and powerful gangsters in Boston history. “He could be charming. He could be ruthless. He was like a cobra—you never knew where he could strike,” director Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart) said previously of Bulger, who was imprisoned with two life sentences in November of 2013. “A lot of people on set knew Whitey intimately. They got chills at [Depp’s] resemblance. Some of them couldn’t even look at him. It’s easy to be the mustache twirling villain but this performance couldn’t be further from that. He is truly gifted.” Black Mass hits theaters on September 18. The film was written by Mark Mallouk and Jez Butterworth, produced by John Lesher, Brian Oliver, Scott Cooper, Patrick McCormick and Tyler Thompson, and executive produced by Brett Ratner, James Packer, Peter Mallouk, Ray Mallouk, Christopher Woodrow, Brett Granstaff, Gary Granstaff, Phil Hunt and Compton Ross.


        This was a really great trailer. Look I was really excited for this film from the first trailer and this new trailer just builds upon my anticipation. Johnny Depp looks really amazing in this film and this could be a return to form for him. He has been in a lot of really terrible films and this is a good step forward for his career and he could very well get nominated for an Oscar and that wouldn't surprise me one bit. This will be a really interesting film and I cannot wait to see it. 



        There have rumblings of an alternate Ghostbusters film starring Channing Tatum and Chris Pratt for the Russo Brothers (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) to direct for several months, with screenwriter Drew Pearce recently adding fuel to the fire, but original Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II director Ivan Reitman has issued a statement shutting down those rumors hard. “There has been a lot of excitement recently about what is happening with the ‘Ghostbusters’ franchise,” states Reitman. “As the producer of the new ‘Ghostbusters’ film, I feel the need to clarify. There is only one new ‘Ghostbusters’ movie and that is the Paul Feig directed version coming next July, presently filming and going fantastically. The rest is just noise.” Along with this statement was a message from the Montecito Picture Company clarifying that before Feig’s reboot was greenlit, several writing teams were engaged by Sony to present different pitches, with the Pearce/Russos/Pratt/Tatum venture likely one of them, although no formal conversations ever took place. This was corroborated by Channing Tatum’s production partner Reid Carolin to ScreenRant as well as Chris Pratt directly to GQ last month, when they confirmed it was no longer (or possibly never was) in the cards. “We’re not doing that anymore,” Carolin stated bluntly. “I think it’s too complicated. There’s a lot of things going on with that brand and I just feel like it’s over-saturated.”

        “No one has ever even spoken to me about that,” Pratt stated. “Never. I’ve even seen Channing a couple times. As far as I know, that’s complete bulls–t.” However, to hear Iron Man 3 and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation writer Pearce talk about it to MTV, you would think it’s something that is still very much active. “I’ve finished my work on that in the last couple weeks,” Pearce said this week. “Obviously it’s top secret, but there’s a gigantic bold idea that I came up with, and the Russo brothers and Ivan Reitman are going to take that and run with it. Obviously I cannot tell you what it is, but hopefully in one year’s time you’ll know! That’s definitely the cast [Tatum & Pratt] we’ve been thinking about as we approach the project. Whether that happens or not is very much above my pay grade. It’s just my job to give them something exciting that maybe they’ll do.” Pearce states that the plan is for this potential Boy-busters to be set in the same universe as Feig’s film, but whether that means it will be a team-up movie with Kristen Wiig & Co. or simply acknowledge her team’s existence with a cameo remains to be seen. The denials on Reitman’s camp could ultimately mean one of two things: 1) The Boy-busters concept was scrapped after Feig came in even though it’s only now trickling to the press, or 2) Sony and Reitman ARE developing it but do not want to get too ahead of themselves as the studio did on their aborted plans for an interconnected Spider-Man universe (Sinister Six, Venom, Black Cat, etc.) that went by the wayside when Amazing Spider-Man 2 underperformed. Paul Feig‘s upcoming Ghostbusters reboot stars Kristen Wiig as “Erin Gilbert,” Kate McKinnon as “Jillian Holtzmann,” Melissa McCarthy as “Abby Yates” and Leslie Jones as “Patty Tolan.” The film will also feature Andy Garcia as the Mayor of New York City, Michael K. Williams as a character named “Hawkins,” Matt Walsh as a character named “Rourke,” Chris Hemsworth as the Ghostbusters’ secretary, and Neil Casey as the film’s villain. New York City’s NY1 news anchor Pat Kiernan is also set to appear as news anchor in the film. Original star/co-creator Dan Aykroyd will have a cameo. Directed by Feig from a script he co-wrote with Katie Dippold, Ghostbusters is currently filming for a July 22, 2016 release.

        These are pretty interesting comments. Look when rumors start flying around about potential projects, a lot of people will say a lot of different things and when the director of the first two films in a franchise comes out and says there are not other Ghostbusters film in the works besides the all female film then people will pay attention. However just because Ivan Reitman says that there are no other films in the works is completely bogus. I mean if Sony wants to make other films then they will and there is nothing he can do about it. so far I like the idea, but we have to wait and see if it comes to fruition. 



        A24 has revealed the moving teaser trailer and poster for the psychological drama Room, starring Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Joan Allen and William H. Macy and you can check out the trailer below. Room tells the extraordinary story of Jack (Tremblay), a spirited 5-year old who is looked after by his loving and devoted Ma (Larson of Short Term 12 and Trainwreck). Like any good mother, Ma dedicates herself to keeping Jack happy and safe, nurturing him with warmth and love and doing typical things like playing games and telling stories. Their life, however, is anything but typical—they are trapped—confined to a windowless, 10-by-10-foot space, which Ma has euphemistically named “Room.” Ma has created a whole universe for Jack within Room, and she will stop at nothing to ensure that, even in this treacherous environment, Jack is able to live a complete and fulfilling life. But as Jack’s curiosity about their situation grows, and Ma’s resilience reaches its breaking point, they enact a risky plan to escape, ultimately bringing them face-to-face with what may turn out to be the scariest thing yet: the real world. Based on the award-winning global bestseller by Emma Donoghue, Room is directed by Lenny Abrahamson (Frank) and will be released on October 16 in New York and LA, then nationwide November 6.


        This was a really strange and odd trailer to watch. Even after reading the synopsis, I still don't have a clue what is going on in the film. I will say that it does look really dark and depressing and weirdly enough that makes me excited for the film. Brie Larson looks like she is going to have a breakout and stellar performance and I can't wait to see it on the big screen. 


       
        Having just been announced as the opening night film of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Demolition, which pairs Jake Gyllenhaal with Jean-Marc Vallée (Wild, The Dallas Buyers Club) won’t be opening theatrically, at least in the States, until April 8. Thanks to TIFF, we have the very first look at Gyllenhaal as Davis, the investment banker who starts to unwind after a series of tragedies. The full synopsis is as follows: Davis (Jake Gyllenhaal), a successful investment banker, struggles after losing his wife in a tragic car crash. Despite pressure from his father in law Phil (Chris Cooper) to pull it together, Davis continues to unravel. What starts as a complaint letter to a vending machine company turns into a series of letters revealing startling personal admissions. Davis’ letters catch the attention of customer service rep Karen (Naomi Watts) and, amidst emotional and financial burdens of her own, the two form an unlikely connection. With the help of Karen and her son Chris (Judah Lewis), Davis starts to rebuild, beginning with the demolition of the life he once knew. The film co-stars Naomi Watts, Chris Cooper and Judah Lewis.


(courtesy of the Toronto International Film Festival)


        This is a really nice photo to see. It really does some up the title of the film as we see Gyllenhaal doing some demolition work of his own. Gyllenhaal has turned in 4 straight Oscar worthy performances in a row and this could very well be his fifth. With him working with Jean-Marc Vallee (who has directed two great films in a row) is a great decision and we'll have to wait and see how it turns out. 


     
        Deadline is reporting that actor Daniel Radcliffe is joining the FBI thriller Imperium from Atomic Features and Tycor International Film Company. Based on the experiences of FBI undercover agent Michael German, the former “Harry Potter” will play a young FBI agent who goes undercover to stop white supremacists planning a terrorist act. German spent years inside neo-Nazi and militia groups trying to stay ahead of them.  It will be the directorial debut by short filmmaker Daniel Ragussis based on a screenplay he wrote with German. Ty Walker, Dennis Lee and Simon Taufique are producing the movie with plans to start shooting in the fall. Radcliffe will next be seen opposite James McAvoy in 20th Century Fox’s Victor Frankenstein, which arrives on November 25, and he’s currently filming the indie comedy Swiss Army Man with Paul Dano. After that, he’s playing Rockstar Games president Sam Houser for the BBC2 film Game Changer about the creation of “Grand Theft Auto.”

        This is a great casting choice. Daniel Radcliffe has had a tough time breaking out of his Harry Potter shell and the more he continues to work in films like this then he'll be able to break through. The film itself sounds really interesting and it could very bring in a lot of attention come Oscar season 2017. I think this is a great opportunity for Radcliffe and hopefully he knocks it out of the park.

        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

My Review of the Mission Impossible Franchise

        With Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation being released this weekend, I thought it would be fitting to review the other films in the Mission Impossible franchise. So without further ado...





Mission Impossible


        An American agent (played by Tom Cruise), under false suspicion of disloyalty, must discover and expose the real spy without the help of his organization.

       

        This is a really fun and awesome movie. Now granted this nothing like the television show and I completely understand why some people would be really mad at that fact. The only thing I have to say to people is get over it and you'll be fine. Not everything has to follow the same path as what it was based off of. As for the movie itself, it does a great job of standing on it's own. It has a lot of great action set pieces and the performances aren't that bad for an action film. I also the special effects were top-notch for a film coming out in 1996 and the one of the key scenes is towards the end of the film. I will say that the main problem with the film is that the plot is pretty ridiculous and it's too predictable. Overall this is a really fun action film, but not a great film overall. I give Mission Impossible 7 out of 10.



Mission Impossible II


        Ethan Hunt (played by Tom Cruise) is an operative for the top-secret government agency IMF (Impossible Missions Force). Fellow agent Sean Ambrose (played by Dougray Scott) has gone rogue, stealing a sample of a deadly synthetic virus named Chimera that could rapidly wipe out the world's population. Ambrose's plan is to sell Chimera to the highest bidder in exchange for shares of stock in the winner's company. Summoned by the new IMF chief (played by Anthony Hopkins), Ethan is assigned to recruit the help of Ambrose's former lover Nyah Nordoff-Hall (played by Thandie Newton), a gorgeous woman who left Ambrose broken-hearted and who may be able to quickly regain his confidence. Once he meets and spends a night with Nyah, however, Ethan is smitten, and now must both capture Ambrose and keep Nyah alive as she infiltrates a nest of vipers.

       

        This movie is absolutely terrible. Look I'm a big fan of the first film and I thought a sequel would be great and then John Woo got his hands on the franchise and he turned in a terrible film. I mean the film is full of slow-motion action shots that look like they were borrowed from The Matrix. Now I understand that this is the way John Woo makes films, but I just don't think his style fits in well with this franchise. Now while the film has an abundance of slow-mo shots, the action scenes out of that style are magnificent and just really gorgeous. The story (like the first film) is just ridiculous and it doesn't make a lot of sense. Overall the films over reliance of slow-mo shots just annoyed me to no end. I give Mission Impossible II a 2 out of 10.



Mission Impossible III


        Impossible Mission Forces (IMF) agent Ethan Hunt (played by TomCruise) is being forced back into the field just when he was planning on marrying his girlfriend, Julia (played by Michelle Monaghan). The agency asks Hunt to save an operative (played by Keri Russell) he trained after weapons dealer Owen Davian (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman) kidnaps her. With the help of his field team, Hunt achieves his goal, but becomes involved in a web of double-crosses that leave him wondering if he can trust his superiors (played by Billy Crudup and Laurence Fishburne). Eventually Davian threatens Julia's life in order to get away with his evil plan.

       

        This is an amazing film. The film is by far a step up from the previous two entries in the franchise and that is a really good thing to say. The action in the film is just spectacualr and the thing is the film doesn't rely on just the great action scenes, but it also does a good job of balancing that with the story and is credited to director JJ Abrams. I also loved the addition of Phillip Seymour Hoffman to the cast to play the villain and he by far the most memorable part of the film. The film does a great job of moving at a fast pace that keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. I also did think at times however that the action was just too over-whelming. But one thing that this film does different than the previous films is that it doesn't take itself too seriously and it has a good blend of comedy and action. Overall this is a fun and exciting action film that everyone can enjoy. I give Mission Impossible III a 9 out of 10.



Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol 


        This is not just another mission. The IMF is shut down when it's implicated in a global terrorist bombing plot. Ghost Protocol is initiated and Ethan Hunt (played by Tom Cruise) and his rogue new team must go undercover to clear their organization's name. No help, no contact, off the grid.

       

        This is a spectacular film. Look if you thought that Mission Impossible III was action-packed then you haven't anything yet. The film is off the wall and loads of fun to watch. The series has been know for it's great action set pieces and this film just builds upon that in every way possible. The highlight of the film is when Tom Cruise is hanging off the side of the tallest building in the world (and yes folks that is Tom Cruise doing his own stunts). I liked the addition of Jeremy Renner to the cast, but I thought he wasn't used enough in the film and that's a disappointment because he is a talented actor and he needed be used more. Unlike the last film I thought at times the film got a little too serious and when the comedy was thrown in, it just didn't work too well. Overall this is an amazing film and it continues to help build momentum in the franchise. I give Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol a 9 out of 10.

Overall Franchise Rating: 7 out of 10.

        So ladies and gentlemen what do you think of the Mission Impossible franchise, what would you rate the films in the franchise, are you excited for Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation and what do you think of my reviews? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.

                                                                                                                           Jonah Sparks

7-29-15 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)


        CBM has gotten a hold of the latest issue of Empire magazine featuring their cover story on next year’s Batman v Superman, including new details on Aquaman, Suicide Squad‘s connection to Batman, the state of Wayne Manor, Superman’s relationship with Lois Lane and more! “Initially I thought, ‘I’m older, it doesn’t seem like the right sort of fit for me,'” says star Ben Affleck of his decision to don the cape and cowl. “Then Zack pitched me his concept for this older, more broken, kind of f**ked up Batman. It was something we haven’t seen. We have seen that Batman is willing to cross the line to protect people. That vigilantism has been a part of his character all along, and we are tapping into that mentality when faced by something as potentially as deadly as Superman.” “We are playing him 45 or 46,” director Zack Snyder confirms. “He has been Batman for 20 years. All the history is there. Was there a Robin at one time? Possibly. We want to assume that Batman has reached this point in his life and career as a superhero, and Superman represents a sort of philosophical change. He is a paradigm shift for Batman: ‘I’ve been fighting criminals all my life, trying to find justice, and now I am confronted with a concept that is transcendent to me.’ In the face of Superman, a man robbing a bank doesn’t matter. He’s having a crisis of conscience. ‘Am I really just a vigilante who stalks the alleys of Gotham?’ It is rich stuff that he deals with. Ben does an amazing job.” The rage that has (to paraphrase a famous butler) turned this good man cruel is partly fueled by the many loved ones and heroes he has seen zipped into body bags during his two-decade tenure. “He has lost those near and dear to him, and not necessarily from old age or disease…” said producer Charles Roven of the state of Batman’s world, which could entail not just the death of Robin but also his friend and Gotham PD ally Jim Gordon.

        The darkness inherent in Snyder’s vision is an offshoot of the world established in Christopher Nolan’s stand-alone Dark Knight trilogy, which, while not technically related to the new films, does share its DNA with them. In actuality, much of the motivation for Snyder to pit Henry Cavill’s Supes against Gotham’s protector was because a solo Batman movie would be too much in the shadow of Christian Bale and Nolan right now. “If it was a Batman movie it would be a much more difficult proposition because of how good Chris’ movies are,” adds Snyder. “We live in gratitude to those movies. Chris set a tone for the DC Universe, and separated us from Marvel in a great way. We are the legacy of those movies.” Another big revelation relates to Batman’s appearance in the recent Suicide Squad trailer, which is now confirmed as a prelude to the events of that film in which the Caped Crusader captures The Joker’s right-hand woman Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie). Indeed, Batman is responsible for putting all the anti-heroes of Task Force X in Belle Reve Penitentiary for Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) to do as she pleases. “What we are doing is ground up all the way. It is one giant story,” Snyder explains. “The first thing we had was the Justice League concept. The other movies, in a way, have to support that. That is our Wonder Woman, our Aquaman. They have their own creative concepts that supports them, but they do serve Justice League in the coming together of those heroes. I want all the other directors of the other films to be able to stretch their legs and do what they want, but at the same time there is a big interconnected universe. I have given everyone amazing access to our story, to me, and what we are doing. All the films have like-minded conceptual jumping on points.” “We call it the sandbox,” adds Roven. “It has borders around it, but everybody gets to play in the sandbox. On ‘Suicide Squad,’ David Ayer has a lot of specific control over his area of the sandbox. Even if he crosses the line a little bit, we see if we can push our boundaries back a little bit.”

        Indeed, the characters within the DC Extended Universe don’t necessarily reflect the black & white “good guy/bad guy” paradigm of the Marvel movies, with Affleck’s Batman essentially the antagonist of Batman v Superman… depending on your own idea of what makes a hero, that is. “It’s a point of view thing,” opines Snyder. “That is why ‘Dawn of Justice’ is the full title. What it does is allow us to start this conversation.” As for Jason Momoa’s Aquaman, don’t expect to see too much of The King of The Seven Seas in Dawn of Justice besides an “elusive cameo.” “You will understand he exists,” Snyder promises of Aquaman, who will get his own solo film written by Kurt Johnstad (300) and directed by James Wan (Furious 7). Lastly, production designer Patrick Tatopoulos (Independence Day, 300: Rise of an Empire) helps put to rest rumors of where Bruce Wayne hangs his hat since the trailer revealed a crumbling, decayed Wayne Manor. Is Bruce homeless? When we pick things up in the film, Bruce is actually living comfortably in an idyllic lakeside structure known as the Glasshouse. “Its footprint is minimal, it is part of nature,” Tatopoulos says of Wayne’s new home. “You are designing a house that would have been designed by van der Rohe, how ballsy is that? Bruce is the Bruce Wayne you know. He’s a playboy, he’s got money. He has this strength, but also an artistic sensibility. He’s got a past, a family who got him where he is today.” The designer also reveals that Clark Kent and Lois Lane (Amy Adams) have shacked up together in a Metropolis apartment of their own, while all of Lex Luthor’s (Jesse Eisenberg) dwelling was shot in a Detroit museum.  “There are other things happening too,” says Tatopoulos. “Gotham is a very different city from Metropolis. Metropolis is Toronto on Steroids. Gotham is Detroit.” Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice stars Henry Cavill in the role of Clark Kent/Superman, and Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, with Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane returning from Man of Steel, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, Jeremy Irons as Alfred, and Holly Hunter in a role newly created for the film. Jason Momoa will also be making an appearance as Aquaman. Directed by Zack Snyder, written by Chris Terrio, from a screenplay by David S. Goyer, the film is produced by Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder with Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Wesley Coller, David S. Goyer and Geoff Johns serving as executive producers. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is set to open worldwide on March 25, 2016.

        Ok I know there is a lot to take in, but I'm just going to sum it all up. First off I'm glad that Zack Snyder went into detail about the cinematic universe. We all have joked a lot about how DC doesn't really have a gameplan going into this and to be honest they are sort of laughing stock and haven't made a great movie without Superman or Batman being the main focus. But after reading this transcript it looks as if DC has really thought this plan through and they know what they are doing. They have been building a lot of momentum and gaining a lot off attention since the announcement of their movie slate and I think that this is just the tip of the iceberg. I also like how they are letting directors make the films they want to while keeping it within the realm of the cinematic universe and that's something Marvel didn't do and a great example is Edgar Wright leaving Ant-Man after working on the film for 8 years and then being told he has to make the movie a certain way and then he bailed and that just shows you that Marvel wants to make the films they want to make and you have to make them a certain way or else it won't work unlike DC who is telling the filmmakers to make the films they want to, but just add in a few things to show how you're connected to the bigger picture. I love that concept and I think this will help DC in the long run.  



        Open Road Films has debuted the new Spotlight trailer, which you can watch below. Starring Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci, Brian d’Arcy James and Billy Crudup, Spotlight tells the riveting true story of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Boston Globe investigation that would rock the city and cause a crisis in one of the world’s oldest and most trusted institutions. When the newspaper’s tenacious “Spotlight” team of reporters delve into allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church, their year-long investigation uncovers a decades-long cover-up at the highest levels of Boston’s religious, legal, and government establishment, touching off a wave of revelations around the world. Directed by Academy Award-nominee Thomas McCarthy, Spotlight is a tense investigative thriller, tracing the steps to one of the biggest crime stories in modern times. The November 6 release is produced by Michael Sugar, Steve Golin, Nicole Rocklin, and Blye Pagon Faust, and executive produced by Jeff Skoll, Jonathan King, Pierre Omidyar, Michael Bederman, Bard Dorros, Tom Ortenberg, Peter Lawson and Xavier Marchand.


        I really liked this trailer. Now I think it did show a little too much of the movie, but I don't think it was enough to temper my expectations for the film. The cast alone makes you want to see this film and with it being a true story and it has a prime release date, I think this film has a shot to garner a few Oscar nominations. Probably not in the acting categories, but it has a shot to get nominated for Best Picture. I really like the idea of making this investigation into a film and I think the film is going to be fantastic and I cannot wait to see it. 



        Warner Bros. Pictures has revealed the new Black Mass poster, which you can view below. Director Scott Cooper’s crime drama stars Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rory Cochrane, Jesse Plemons, Kevin Bacon, W. Earl Brown, David Harbour, Dakota Johnson, Julianne Nicholson, Corey Stoll, Peter Sarsgaard, Adam Scott, and Juno Temple. In 1970s South Boston, FBI Agent John Connolly (Edgerton) persuades Irish mobster James “Whitey” Bulger (Depp) to collaborate with the FBI and eliminate a common enemy: the Italian mob. The drama tells the true story of this unholy alliance, which spiraled out of control, allowing Whitey to evade law enforcement, consolidate power, and become one of the most ruthless and powerful gangsters in Boston history. “He could be charming. He could be ruthless. He was like a cobra—you never knew where he could strike,” director Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart) said previously of Bulger, who was imprisoned with two life sentences in November of 2013. “A lot of people on set knew Whitey intimately. They got chills at [Depp’s] resemblance. Some of them couldn’t even look at him. It’s easy to be the mustache twirling villain but this performance couldn’t be further from that. He is truly gifted.” Black Mass hits theaters on September 18. The film was written by Mark Mallouk and Jez Butterworth, produced by John Lesher, Brian Oliver, Scott Cooper, Patrick McCormick and Tyler Thompson, and executive produced by Brett Ratner, James Packer, Peter Mallouk, Ray Mallouk, Christopher Woodrow, Brett Granstaff, Gary Granstaff, Phil Hunt and Compton Ross.



        I really like this poster. Now I know it's not original by any standards, but it doesn't peak your interest especially if you don't know what the film is about or who it's about. Johnny Depp looks so menacing in the poster and the trailers look fantastic for the film. Now Depp has dug himself a hole due to his recent performances (not as big as Adam Sandler's but still a hole) and this performance coupled with a few more dramatic pieces like this could potentially help him out a lot. I personally think he'll get an Oscar nomination and that's without seeing the film. It looks dark and creepy, but I cannot wait to see the film.



        Deadline has revealed that “True Detective” star Vince Vaughn will head to war with Andrew Garfield and Sam Worthington in Lionsgate’s Hacksaw Ridge, the next outing as a director for Academy Award winner Mel Gibson. This marks the fifth film behind the camera for Gibson (The Passion of The Christ, Apocalypto). The movie tells the true WWII story of Corporal Desmond Doss (Garfield), the first conscientious objector to receive the US congressional Medal of Honor after acts of bravery and sacrifice saving 75 men during the Battle of Okinawa. Vaughn has signed to play Sgt. Howell, a non-commissioned officer who prepares his soldiers for battle by pushing them to their limits both physically and mentally in order to keep them alive. When Doss refuses to shoot and kill the enemy, it contradicts everything the sergeant knows about war. Hacksaw Ridge is scripted by Robert Schenkkan and Randall Wallace, the latter of whom wrote Braveheart for Gibson and directed him in the Vietnam film We Were Soldiers. Terry Benedict, Bill Mechanic, Steve Longi and David Permut are all attached to produce, with a reported budget of $45 million dollars.

        I think this is great casting. Say what you want to about Mel Gibson and the controversy that surrounds him, but he is one heck of a director. There isn't a film I haven't like of his when he is behind the camera and from the sounds of this one I think this one has the potential to be great. As for Vaughn joining the film, I think he is a perfect fit and this is the type of role we really haven't seen him that often, but he has the potential to be really good. There is a small (and by small I mean tiny) resemblance to Fury that came out last year, but this will be a different film entirely and I can't wait to see it. 



        It was revealed back in April that Warner Bros. Pictures had picked up the rights to the popular video game series Five Nights at Freddy’s with plans for a feature film adaptation. Today, Deadline reports that the film has found a director in Gil Kenan, whose big screen credits include Monster House, City of Ember and, most recently, the new Poltergeist. He’s also set to script the film alongside Tyler Burton Smith. Five Night’s at Freddy’s challenges players to survive for five nights as a security guard in a demented pizza entertainment restaurant where homicidal, possessed animatronics roam the halls in search of their next victims. Though the first game only debuted back in August of 2014, a sequel was released in November of 2014 with a third chapter making its way online this past March. The series has played with non-linear and non-traditional storytelling. The second game in the series was actually a prequel with the third game taking place thirty years after the original. Mini-games also inhabit the titles offering even more clues to the lore of the franchise and the underlying story of what caused the animatronics of Freddy Fazbear and his friends to haunt the location. Five Night’s at Freddy’s reunites Kenan with Poltergeist producer Roy Lee of Vertigo Entertainment. He’s producing alongside Seth Grahame-Smith (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter) and David Katzenberg (Stephen King’s IT) of KatzSmith Productions. Jay Ireland and Adam Stone are executive producing with Jon Berg and Nik Mavinkurve overseeing for Warner Bros.

        This is an interesting choice. I say that simply because of the last film this guy did (Poltergeist 2015) and that film was atrocious. Now granted every director has at least one bad film on their resume and this guy is no different. I think he has a grasp on the horror genre, it will just take putting the right pieces around him for the film to be successful. This will be an interesting  film to see since the concept of the game is so simple. The film may over complicate the game materiel and that doesn't spell good news. Now we are probably at least two maybe three years away from the film getting released, but I'm glad knowing it is getting made. 

        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

My Review of The Vacation Franchise

        With Vacation being released tonight, I thought it would be fitting to review the other films in the Vacation franchise. So without further ado...





National Lampoon's Vacation


        Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase), an ad exec becomes consumed with taking his family cross-country to Wally World, a California amusement park. Less a vacation than a descent into a peculiarly American kind of hell, the Griswolds suffer through an endless series of catastrophes, culminating in a run-in with the law.

       

        This is an absolutely hilarious film. From the opening moments of the film you are laughing and that is a constant theme throughout the entire movie. Everything that the Griswold family goes through to get the ultimate destination of Wally World is just chaotic and absolutely ridiculous. One of the things that the film has going for it is the fact that it was directed by Harold Ramis and written by John Hughes who are two of the best when it comes to comedy and every film they touch is gold. I also enjoy the performances and the pairing of Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo is just terrific and they have tremendous chemistry. The one that steals the movie however is Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie and from the moment he comes on screen to the end of the film he just steals the movie. My main problem with the film is that while the comedy is brilliant some of the jokes just come off a little too forced and don't work for me. Overall this is one of the best comedies of all-time and it's hard for any film to top this one. I give National Lampoon's Vacation a 9.5 out of 10.



National Lampoon's European Vacation


        Despite the many adventures they suffered in National Lampoon's Vacation, the Griswold family decides to take another crack at having fun. This time, the doltish clan heads across the Atlantic for a whirlwind vacation after winning a game show. Will the monuments of Europe survive?

       

        This is a really terrible film. Now when you are a direct sequel to one of the best comedies of all-time it is really hard to top the success of the first film and this film just doesn't do that. One of the things missing from the film is it's originality and Harold Ramis behind the camera. I thought that the performances were mailed in and the jokes were just constantly beating you over head and none of the jokes work. Some of them do work, but a lot of them are reused from the first film and it just disappoints me because I love the first film so much and the fact that John Hughes was the one that wrote the script. I also think the movie was missing Randy Quaid's comedic sense of humor who I thought was the real star of the first film. Overall this is a really poor attempt at a sequel and a utter disappointment. I give National Lampoon's European Vacation a 1 out of 10.



National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 


        As the holidays approach, Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) wants to have a perfect family Christmas, so he pesters his wife, Ellen (played by Beverly D'Angelo), and children, as he tries to make sure everything is in line, including the tree and house decorations. However, things go awry quickly. His hick cousin, Eddie (played by Randy Quaid), and his family show up unplanned and start living in their camper on the Griswold property. Even worse, Clark's employers renege on the holiday bonus he needs.

       

        This is not only a great comedy, but a great holiday film as well. This is a film that can be watched by the entire family at any given time. I also really like how the filmmakers were able to rebound after the disaster that was European Vacation. I think that everyone involved realized the disaster that the previous film was and they stepped up their games. John Hughes did an outstanding job or making this one of the funniest films he has been apart of. I also like seeing the return of Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie and I thought that Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo acted like they wanted be on the same screen with each other in the film more than the last film. I thought the jokes were more clever this time around and while the film is a sequel it does feel original coming from a comedic sense. Overall this is a solid comedy and holiday film that I can watch over and over again. I give National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation a 9 out of 10.



Vegas Vacation


        This is the fourth in a series of movies that began with National Lampoon's Vacation in 1983. This time, the Griswolds visit Las Vegas. Clark (played by Chevy Chase) immediately goes to the blackjack table and starts blowing all his money, continually encouraged to spend more and more by a taunting dealer, Marty (played by Wallace Shawn). Ellen Griswold (played by Beverly D'Angelo) becomes smitten with the lounge singer Wayne Newton (playing himself), who invites her to sing onstage with him. Their son Rusty (played by Ethan Embry) is incredibly lucky playing dice, and he is virtually adopted by a family of gangsters who see him as their meal ticket. Daughter Audrey (played by Marisol Nichols) gets hooked up with her wild cousin Vickie (played by Shae D'Lyn), who takes her to sleazy dance clubs. White-trash cousin Eddie (played by Randy Quaid), who lives on a former A-bomb test site in the nearby desert, also gets involved with the capers.

       

        This is an absolutely terrible, dreadful and awful film that should never have been made. Look I get it when you have a franchise as successful as this one you want to keep it going for as long as you can and the studio should've stoppped while they were ahead. I mean you already knew you could make terrible film after the disaster of European Vacation and they had a nice thing going when they rebounded with Christmas Vacation, but now the studio just did too much. The film is not even funny in the least little bit. This is the first film in the franchise not be rated PG-13 or R and that hurts the film tremendously simply because the jokes can't be as raunchy or funny as they can be with a higher rating. The performances are mailed in and at this point the franchise is gimmicky and useless. The film is also missing John Hughes who wrote the previous three films and that really just peeves me off to no end. Overall this is pile of crap film that doesn't even deserved to be mentioned. I give Vegas Vacation a 0 out of 10.

Overall Franchise Rating: 5 out of 10

        So ladies and gentlemen what do you think of the Vacation franchise, what would you rate each film, are you excited for Vacation and what did you think of my reviews? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.

                                                                                                                           Jonah Sparks

7-28-15 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)


        There’s a major shakeup today on 20th Century Fox’s side of the Marvel Universe as The Wrap is reporting that Channing Tatum has exited the upcoming X-Men spinoff, Gambit. The film was planned to go before cameras in October, although Tatum’s exit now leaves the film’s future uncertain. It was recently announced that Gambit would be directed by Rise of the Planet of the Apes helmer Rupert Wyatt with casting reports coming in as recently as yesterday. Today’s update claims Tatum had been involved with screentests for the fim’s female lead with Blue is the Warmest Color and SPECTRE‘s Lea Seydoux among the actresses reading for the part. With a screenplay by Josh Zetumer (RoboCop), Gambit was to be produced by Tatum and his creative partner Reid Carolin, along with X-Men franchise stewards Simon Kinberg and Lauren Shuler Donner. It is unclear at this stage whether or not Tatum will remain on board the film as a producer, should Gambit move forward. Currently, Gambit is scheduled for release October 7, 2016, planned to follow X-Men spinoffs Deadpool on February 15 and X-Men: Apocalypse on May 27.

        This is really interesting news. Now before anyone gets too out of control, just know that this is rumor and it hasn't been confirmed by Fox. Since it is a rumor however it is looking likely so we'll go based off of that for now. I'm actually a little let down because when Tatum was first announced I got excited because he is becoming an incredible actor and this would've been a different role for him. The film is coming out next October so the studio is either going to have to hurry up with an announcement on a new actor and keep the release date or they'll have to move the film back and with 2017 already being crowded I just don't see it happening. I do however think that with the way the studio brought back Ryan Reynolds for another shot at Deadpool in his own standalone, maybe Fox will try to bring back Taylor Kitsch and give him another shot at the character after the disaster that was X-Men Origins: Wolverine. 



        Despite some recent rumors that suggested he might instead be headlining Warner Bros. Pictures’ Green Lantern Corps, Star Trek‘s Chris Pine is, according to The Wrap, now fully signed on to star as Steve Trevor in director Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman. The romantic interest of the titular Amazon (Gal Gadot), Trevor debuted in the comics right alongside Wonder Woman in 1942’s “All Star Comics” #8. Although the character has been rebooted several times over the years, the original version of Trevor was a US soldier whose plane crash lands on Paradise Island, exposing the secret civilization to the world. Gadot is attached to headline Wonder Woman, which will be directed by Monster‘s Patty Jenkins. The character will make her first cinematic appearance, however, in next year’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. She may even make additional appearances across DC’s new cinematic universe before her solo film sees release on June 23, 2017. It’s pretty much a guarantee, too, that Wonder Woman (and potentially Trevor as well) will play an important role in Justice League Part One, hitting theaters on November 10, 2017.

        This isn't surprising news to hear. This was the role that he was originally in the running for before the rumors came out about him possibly playing Hal Jordan. Now that the rumor has been debunked we can begin speculating who the new rumored actor will be. As for Pine playing Steve Trevor I think it is a great idea simply because Pine is such a talented actor and I personally think he'll have great chemistry with Gal Gadot in the standalone Wonder Woman film. A lot remains to be unseen, but for right now WB/DC is making a lot of great casting and directing choices. 



        The 13 Hours teaser offers a first look at Michael Bay’s latest, hitting theaters January 15, 2016 A red band 13 Hours teaser trailer has just been released and you can check it out below. From director Michael Bay, the true Benghazi tale is based on Mitchell Zuckoff’s recently released book, officially described as follows: “13 Hours” presents, for the first time ever, the true account of the events of September 11, 2012, when terrorists attacked the US State Department Special Mission Compound and a nearby CIA station called the Annex in Benghazi, Libya. A team of six American security operators fought to repel the attackers and protect the Americans stationed there. Those men went beyond the call of duty, performing extraordinary acts of courage and heroism, to avert tragedy on a much larger scale. This is their personal account, never before told, of what happened during the thirteen hours of that now-infamous attack. The feature film version, from Paramount Pictures, is set to star Pablo Schreiber, John Krasinski, James Badge Dale, David Denman, Max Martini and Dominic Fumusa and will hit the big screen January 15, 2016. Chuck Hogan (The Town) has adapted the screenplay for the project, which is set up at Paramount Pictures with Erwin Stoff producing.


        This wasn't that bad of a trailer. Now look as a lot of you know I am not a fan of Micheal Bay and he honestly hasn't made a good film since The Rock in 1996 (almost 20 years ago) and one constant thing that has been good about Micheal Bay films is the trailers. I mean the trailers for Transformers: Age of Extinction were spectacular and that movie turned out to be one of the biggest piles of crap in cinematic history. Another thing about me not being to confident about the film is that last time Bay directed a film based on a true story (Pain & Gain) he ended up making fun of tragedy where a lot of people died and I feel that this film could be the same way. Another thing is that film is coming out in the worst month for movies (January) and that shows that the studio doesn't have any confidence in the film. The trailer had every single mannerism that Micheal Bay is known for and I just don't know if this film will be any different that his previous films. 



        Cameras are just about ready to roll on the new, currently-untitled Jason Bourne film that will feature the return of Academy Award-winning actor Matt Damon to the title role with The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum helmer Paul Greengrass back in the director’s chair. Today, Variety brings word that Damon will have a fellow Academy Award winner starring opposite him as Tommy Lee Jones has just signed on for a role. Little is known about the plot of the new film, although it has been confirmed that it will not feature a crossover between Damon’s Bourne and Jeremy Renner’s Aaron Cross. Julia Stiles will be reprising her franchise role, however, with Ex Machina and The Man From U.N.C.L.E.‘s Alicia Vikander also set to star. Jones recently co-wrote, directed and starred in The Homesman, based on the Glendon Swarthout novel. He’ll next star in the sci-fi tinged action thriller Criminal, starring opposite Gary Oldman, Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Costner, Alice Eve and Gal Gadot. Although his Bourne 5 role has not yet been revealed, the trade suggests that he’ll be playing a high-ranking CIA officer. Frank Marshall will again produce the new film alongside Jeffrey Weiner for Captivate Entertainment. Greengrass, Damon and Greg Goodman also produce. Production should begin shortly on Bourne 5 as the film is slated to hit the big screen July 29, 2016.

        I think this is a great casting choice. Tommy Lee Jones is a Academy Award winning actor and adding him to any film is a great idea. I'm very curious to see what type of role he will play in the film simply because of his age. Tommy Lee Jones is not a young man (he's 68) so there isn't a lot he can do in a film like this. I think him playing a high-ranking CIA official who is after Bourne is reminiscent of his role in The Fugitive which is the film that he won an Oscar for so this could be a push for another one. 



        Known for the longest time as simply “Jonathan Levin’s untitled Christmas comedy,” The Night Before has just released a Red Band trailer that you can check out below. There’s also a newly-debuted poster for the film, which you can take a look at in the gallery viewer at the bottom of this page. Set for release on November 25, The Night Before stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie, Lizzy Caplan, Jillian Bell, Michael Shannon and Mindy Kaling. From Levine, the director of 50/50 and Warm Bodies, comes the new comedy The Night Before. Ethan (Gordon-Levitt), Isaac (Rogen) and Chris (Mackie) have been friends since childhood, and for a decade, their yearly Christmas Eve reunion has been an annual night of debauchery and hilarity. Now that they’re entering adulthood, the tradition is coming to an end, and to make it as memorable as possible, they set out to find the Nutcracka Ball – the Holy Grail of Christmas parties. Featuring a screenplay by Jonathan Levine and Evan Goldberg & Kyle Hunter & Ariel Shaffir, The Night Before is produced by Rogen, Goldberg and James Weaver and executive produced by Nathan Kahane, Joe Drake, Barbara A. Hall, Kyle Hunter, Ariel Shaffir and Ben Waisbren.


        This was a really funny trailer. Now it's not as funny as the previous three films mentioned at the beginning, but then again this is just a trailer. I feel like this is going to be just like other Seth Rogen films in the sense that they'll be offensive, but with jokes that will be absolutely hilarious. I'm also digging Anthony Mackie and JGL in this film and this will be a chance to see another side of them in this film. The film will be up against a lot of competition on Thanksgiving, but I still think it will be a hit with audiences.

        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

My Review of Paper Towns

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







        The story centers on story Quentin (played by Nat Wolff) and his enigmatic neighbor Margo (played by Cara Delevingne), who loved mysteries so much she became one. After taking him on an all-night adventure through their hometown, Margo suddenly disappears--leaving behind cryptic clues for Quentin to decipher. The search leads Quentin and his quick-witted friends on an exhilarating adventure that is equal parts hilarious and moving. Ultimately, to track down Margo, Quentin must find a deeper understanding of true friendship--and true love.

       

        This was a pretty decent movie. Going into the film I had no idea what was going to happen I think that this film needs the element of surprise. I really loved the performances in the film especially from Nat Wolff and Cara Delevingne who are just spectacualr. I enjoyed the journey that the film took you on and the twists and turns throughout were very interesting. Now coming from the author of The Fault in Our Stars this film isn't as well made as that film I felt like that the film needed John Boone's touch (who directed the aforementioned The Fault in Our Stars). The comedy well-timed and just perfect throughout and while the film does have that suspense element, it does feel a little laid back and very original. Although the film was original I did think that some of the plot points were pretty predictable. Overall I thought the story was very interesting and the performances were spot on. I give Paper Towns a 9 out of 10.

        So ladies and gentlemen what did you think of Paper Towns, 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

Weekend Box Office Review 7-24-15 to 7-26-15

        Here are the weekend domestic box office results for the weekend of 7-24-15 to 7-26-15 as well as my 5 key takeaways. So without further ado...

Box Office Totals courtesy of boxofficemojo.com

TW	LW	Film	Studio	Weekend	# of Theaters	Total Domestic Gross	Weeks
1	1	Ant-Man	Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios	$24,909,332	3,868	$106,219,861	2
2	-	Pixels	Sony Pictures	$24,011,616	#,723	$24,011,616	1
3	2	Minions	Universal Pictures	$22,933,960	4,066	$262,454,370	3
4	3	Trainwreck	Universal Pictures	$17,281,950	3,171	$61,526,975	2
5	-	Southpaw	The Weinstein Company	$16,701,294	2,772	$16,701,294	1
6	-	Paper Towns	20th Century Fox	$12,650,140	3,301	$12,650,140	1
7	4	Inside Out	Walt Disney Pictures/ Pixar Studios	$7,414,528	2,717	$320,393,339	6
8	5	Jurassic World	Universal Pictures	$7,181,175	2,645	$624,083,950	7
9	11	Mr. Holmes	Roadside Attractions	$2,868,335	686	$6,451,225	2
10	6	Terminator: Genisys	Paramount Pictures	$2,417,910	1,702	$85,683,524	4

1. Ant-Man continues to hold onto the number 1 spot at the box office.

2. Despite horrible reviews, Pixels was still able to make $24 million this weekend.

3. For the first time in it's 7 week run, Jurassic World is not in the top 5 of the box office.

4. The biggest loser of the weekend was Ant-Man as it made 56.5% less than it did last week and the biggest winner was Mr. Holmes as it made 17.8% more than it did last week.

5. Overall this was a really balanced weekend at the box office.

        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