Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Released:  December 18, 2015

9 Out of 10 Ginger Snaps 

Number of Ginger Snaps:  9 of 10

Director:  J.J. Abrams

Writer:  J.J. Abrams, Michael Arndt, Lawrence Kasdan, George Lucas

Producers:  J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk, Kathleen Kennedy

Main Actors:  Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Harrison Ford...


Favorite Character
Poe Dameron

Favorite Scene
Rey, Finn and BB-8 getting the Millennium Falcon to work


OMG!!!!! I was captivated!  The movie held true to the originals (several similarities with Episode IV) and I felt like a little kid watching the first Star Wars.  Thank you J.J. Abrams!

The only thing I think needed work was a bit more of the 'story'.  Towards the end, it seemed that the movie was moving too fast and was missing some of the in-between scenes.  I also wish that Luke had a bit more than just an appearance at the end.  He didn't even have any lines!

The action, characters, production design, everything was exactly as it should be.  I am definitely going to see this again, and again, and again.

Mortdecai

Released:  2015

7 Out of 10 Ginger Snaps 

7 of 10 Ginger Snaps 

Director:  David Koepp

Writers:  Eric Aronson, Kyril Bonfiglioli

Producers:  Johnny Depp, Christi Dembrowski, Andrew Lazar

Main Actors:  Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Paul Bettany, Ewan McGregor



Favorite Character
Jock

Favorite Quote
I eschew discomfort.  -  Mortdecai

This was an interesting movie.  It made me laugh - a lot.  It was odd and quirky, but so am I.   It took me a bit of time to figure out if I actually liked it though.  It took a little while to get into it and to understand the flow of the story.

The Jock character totally made the movie.  He was hilarious!  Paul Bettany did an excellent job portraying Mortdecai's man servant.

I recommend this movie when you want to laugh and not think about anything.

Godzilla

Released:  2014

6 of 10 Ginger Snaps

6 out of 10 Ginger Snaps 

Director:  Gareth Edwards

Producers:  Jon Jashni, Brian Rogers, Mary Parent

Writers:  Max Borenstein, Dave Callaham

Main Actors:  Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ken Watanabe, Bryan Cranston



Favorite Character
Dr. Ishiro Serizawa

Favorite Quote
Gojira may be the answer.  - Dr. Serizawa

There are so many Godzilla movies.  Wikipedia says there are 30.  While I enjoyed all the explosions and shooting in this movie, I kinda feel that it's been done before.  Clearly, it has.

The monster Godzilla fought in this one reminded me too much of Alien.  Not only was the main monster overdone, but they took another well known monster and threw them together.  Even that's been done before - Alien vs. Predator, Cowboys & Aliens...

I didn't hate the movie, but I don't think it was anything special.  Can't Hollywood come up with something new?  George Lucas can come up with new bad guys, can't anyone else?

Big Hero 6

Released:  2014

7 Out of 10 Ginger Snaps 

7 out of 10 

Directors:  Don Hall, Chris Williams

Writers:  Jordan Roberts, Robert Baid, Daniel Gerson

Producers:  Roy Conli, Kristina Reed

Main Actors:  Scott Adsit, Ryan Potter, Daniel Henney



Favorite Character
Cass

Favorite Quote
Flying makes me a better health care companion. - Baymax

Oh Disney - formulaic movie again.  Sad beginning (always gotta have a tragedy happen to the protagonist), but it was a cute movie overall.  I'd recommend it if you don't have many other choices. I did enjoy the clumsiness of the 6 'heroes' and laughed at some of the references only us old people would get.

My main problem with it was, well, it was a formula Disney animated film.  True, they work, but I can only take them every so often.  The next Disney film I see will most likely be Star Wars.  I'm hoping Mr. Abrams and Mr. Lucas have a very very good story line that doesn't fit typical Disney movies.  Okay... okay... even if it did I'd LOVE IT!!!!

Fury

Released:  2014

9 Out of 10 Ginger Snaps 

9 out of 10 ginger snaps 

Director:  David Ayer

Writer:  David Ayer

Producers:  David Ayer, Bill Block, John Lesher, Ethan Smith

Main Actors:  Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Pena



Favorite Scene
Norman's First SS Kill

Favorite Quote
"You think Hilter would fuck one of us for a chocolate bar?" - Don


Wow.  Just wow.  I've been obsessed with WWII, so this move clearly fits my current fix.  It was extremely well done.  The acting... brilliant.  The effects... brilliant.  The writing... brilliant.

I'm not sure what else to say.  It showed the ethical and moral battles that one would expect to see in war.  It also showed the turn in one's psyche after experiencing so much death and hate.  I'm not a Brad Pitt fan, but I have to admit that he was outstanding in the role.

I recommend the movie, but I suggest watching it when you are able to take a very heavy film.

A Walk Among the Tombstones

Released:  2014

7 Out of 10 Ginger Snaps 

Number of Ginger Snaps:  7 of 10

Director:  Scott Frank

Writers:  Scott Frank, Lawrence Block (novel)

Producers:  Danny DeVito, Brian Oliver, Stacey Sher

Main Actors:  Liam Neeson, Dan Stevens, Brian 'Astro' Bradley





Favorite Scene
In the library when Matt and TJ meet

Favorite Character
Peter Kristo


Talk about messed up killers!  This movie's murders were pretty whack.  Thankfully, the script did not include an overabundance of background into the killer's psychological state.   Unfortunately, the script did include a sidebar into the 'saving' of TJ, the poor, intelligent street kid who helps Matt.  That part of the film was not really necessary and included too much exposition about that story line.

The acting was very good.  Dan Stevens, who played Kenny, has the most intense eyes I've ever seen which really fit the role.  Gives me the chills just thinking about that stare.

The main issue I had with the movie was, as mentioned, the side story.  I don't think the film needed it.  We could have gotten Matt's background just by him talking to Peter.  The TJ character didn't add must into the plot except knowing how to use a computer (took place in 1999).  Oh well, I guess the writers and director felt a 'feel good' side story was necessary in the mostly dark movie.  They were wrong though.  Just saying...

I'd recommend the movie if you are a fan of dark mystery / thrillers.  Just fast forward through the unnecessary TJ scenes.

John Wick

Released:  2014

7 Out of 10 Ginger Snaps

7 out of 10 ginger snaps 

Director:  Chad Stahelski and David Leitch

Writer:  Derek Kolstad

Producers:  Basil Iwanyk, David Leitch, Eva Longoria

Main Actors:  Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyvist, Willem Dafoe




Favorite Scene
Cop's arrival at John Wick's house after he just killed 12 hitmen

Favorite Character
Hotel Manager (Charon)

I have to be honest.  I gave this a lower rating then I would have if they had NOT killed the dog in the beginning.  I know - it was the impetus for the whole point of the movie, but... it made me really sad.

Anyway, now that I have admitted my bias, I did fully appreciate the explosions, gunfights, fist fights, and overall KILL THE REAL BAD GUYS AND GET REVENGE theme.  It was humous in how they handled the catering that took place to the badass guys.  That is one of the reasons I liked the Hotel Manager, played by Lance Reddick, so much.  I do hope that in the real world, places like the hotel and dinner reservation orders do not exist.  That would be so messed up.

The acting, effects, and fight choreography were done well.  Keanu Reeves is still hot using martial arts to kill people.  Not the best actor in the world, but this role was perfect for him.  He just had to go around kicking butt.

I recommend the movie to those of you who like violence on screen and appreciate nicely executed fights.  Those of you who will continue to cry after the dog dies, not recommended (I'm close to being in that camp, but not enough to negate my appreciation for staged combat).