Pacific Rim

Released:  July 12, 2013

OVERALL RATING:  * * * .5
(on a scale of 1 to 4 - 4 being best)

Director:  Guillermo del Toro
Writers:  Travis Beacham, Guillermo del Toro
Producers:  Jon Jashni, Mary Parent, Thomas Tull
Main Actors:  Charlie Hunnam, Diego Klattenhoff, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day

Directing:  * * * * 
Story Line:  * * * * 
Acting:  * * * 
Predictability:  * * * 
Entertainment Value:  * * * * 
Effects:  * * * * 

I so love sci-fi.  This movie was a cross between Transformers, Godzilla, and Aliens.  It made a fabulous combination.  I loved how it started BAM! right into the action.

While some of the technical talk was sooo not correct, I didn't care during the movie.  Well, I did chuckle with the digital / analog lines.  Come on... really?  Aside from that though, it was awesome.  Big huge monsters battling big huge machines - how could you not think greatness?!?

I was impressed with the fight scenes and the number of fights they had.  It was better then a lot of the other mainstream sic-fi battles I've seen recently.  I could tell what was happening - which was the monster and which was the machine.

I'm curious what the shoes meant.  There were multiple shoes that the movie called a lot of attention too.  What's with the shoes Mr. del Toro?  Am I missing something?

Favorite Scene:  The Kaiju taking flight with the Jaegar.  Sweet.

Sharknado

Released:  7/11/2013

OVERALL RATING:  * .5
(on a scale of 1 to 4 - 4 being best)

Director:  Anthony Ferrante
Writer:  Thunder Levin
Producers:  Paul Bales, David Michael Latt
Main Actors:  Ian Ziering, Tara Reid

Directing:  *
Acting:  *
Plot Line:  * * 
Predictability:  * *
Entertainment Value:  * * 

OMG!  SyFy - score!!! Another awesomely bad movie.  LOVE IT.  It's like a train wreck - I just HAVE to watch my SyFy movies.

This one was everything I was hoping it would be.  It had no continuity in shots / editing, acting was awful, effects were laughable, and I enjoyed watching it.  Yep, nothing like seeing sharks falling from the sky to make you giggle.

I have to admit that the ending was a bit surprising.  Surprising and fabulous.  No way would that happen, but it was cool none the less.

Favorite Lines:  Why would they put a retirement home by the airport?  Maybe cause they're old.

The Heat

Released:  June 2013

OVERALL RATING:  *  *  *  * 
(on a scale of 1 to 4 - 4 being best)

Director:  Paul Feig
Writer:  Katie Dippold
Producer:  Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping
Main Actors:  Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy, Demian Bichir

Directing:  * * * * 
Acting:  * * * * 
Story Line:  * * * * 
Predictability:  * * * 
Entertainment Value:  * * * * 

It has been a long time since I've laughed so much at a movie - and consistently throughout.  This movie was friggin hilarious!  The chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy worked really well.

I think the best part of the movie was the story line.  I wasn't 100% sure where it was going.  Although the overall plot was predictable, there was enough happening in the movie that kept me engaged and wondering what would happen next.

This is what I like about comedies.  It made me laugh, kept me entertained, and totally removed me from my reality for a bit.

Favorite Quotes:  Well contain your areola.  /  You misrepresented my vagina.  /  I'm balls deep in boredom.

Favorite Scene:  Denny's  

World War Z

Released:  June 2013

OVERALL RATING:  *  *  .5
(on a scale of 1 to 4 - 4 being best)

Director:  Marc Forster
Writers:  Matthew Michael Garnaha, Drew Goddard, Damon Lindelof
     *Based On Book by Max Brooks
Producers:  Ian Bryce, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Brad Pitt
Main Actors:  Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz

Directing:  * * *
Story:  * *
Acting:  * * * 
Entertainment Value:  * * *
Predictability:  * * 

I know... I know... how can I give a Zombie movie a 2.5?!!!

I did like this movie.  The problem I have with it is mainly because I read the book.  It has some portions that are like the book, but the overall story is no where near what was written.

The character of Segen was pretty random.  I liked her in it, but the chemistry between her and Brad Pitt didn't work well for me.  The story line should have give more information about her.  It didn't make sense why she became Lane's right hand (hahaha if you seen the movie).  I know they were in a crisis together and he saved her life, but I just left the movie feeling like I needed to know more about her character.

The fear that the actors portrayed was well done.  The kids especially performed well.

Zombies move extremely fast in this film.  It was cool how they had them climb each other to get over walls.  That part was in the book.

All in all, I'd recommend it, but definitely not if you think it will be like the book.

Favorite Scene:  Brad Pitt drinking a Pepsi (nice product placement by the way - could you be MORE obvious?)