Non-Stop

Released:  2014

Number of Ginger Snaps:  8 out of 10

8 out of 10 ginger snaps

Director:  Jaume Collet-Serra

Writers:  John W. Richardson, Christopher Roach

Producers:  Alex Heineman, Andrew Rona, Joel Silver

Main Actors:  Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Scoot McNairy



Favorite Character
Austin Reilly

Favorite Quote
Next time don't get shot. - Bill Marks


I really liked this movie.  I know... Liam Neeson (aka Qui-Gon Jinn Jedi Master) makes me bias to any movie he is in, but seriously, I did really like this movie.  Most of it takes place in a plane.  That is a major hurtle in keeping an audience's attention since it only has one dominant setting.

The director did a good job in keeping the action level high for a large portion of the film.  Jaume Collet-Serra hasn't done a lot of directing, but he did a stand up job in this.  I was engaged the entire time and never once thought it was stupid or unrealistic.  I suppose the story line could really happen, but when thinking about the actual plot, it does seem to be farfetched.

The acting was well done (of course) and I really liked the characters.  They grew on you as the movie progressed and as you discovered what was really happening.

And of course, stuff blew up, guns were fired, and people got in fist fights.  WOOHOOOO!  So my type of movie.

Robocop (2014)

Released:  2014

Number of Ginger Snaps:  6 out of 10

6 out of 10 Ginger Snaps 

Director:  Jose Padilha

Writers:  Edward Neumeier, Joshua Zeturner, Michael Miner

Producers:  Marc Abraham, Gary Barber, Eric Newman

Main Actors:  Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton






Favorite Scene
Robocop vs the robots (aka - Robocop kicks robot butt)

Favorite Quote
"At least you're the right color now." Jack to Alex


Well, it was ok.  Yes, it had explosions and yes, it had gun fights, and yes, it had a hero, and yes, it had robots... all things I like in movies, but I don't know.  I just thought it was ok.  It wasn't great, but it wasn't horrible.  Maybe I'm just partial to the original - I'll admit bias.

I wouldn't not recommend this.  I do think it is a perfect snow day movie, or in my case in Dallas - ice day movie.  It was engaging enough and provided a sufficient level of entertainment value.  It just lacked something and I can't figure out what that something is.  It wasn't like the acting was bad or the production value insufficient.  It just... need something more.  It need a heart or something (get it... Robocop didn't have one... ya know... if you saw the movie... haha... are crickets chirping right now?).

Stonehearst Asylum

Released:  2014

Number of Ginger Snaps:  8 out of 10

8 out of 10 Ginger Snaps

Director:  Brad Anderson

Writers:  Joe Gangemi, Based on an Edgar Allan Poe story

Producers:  Mark Amin, Mel Gibson, Bruce Davey

Main Actors:  Kate Beckinsale, Jim Sturgess, Ben Kingsley, Michael Caine






Favorite Character
Arthur Timbs

Favorite Quote
"It's you who possesses me." - Edward to Eliza

I liked this movie.  It's probably due to my propensity towards Edgar Allan Poe and movies with explosions.  Granted, there weren't many explosions in the film, actually I think there was only one, but still... things caught on fire and burned (no, I am not a pyromaniac).

The acting was pretty good and I really liked Ben Kingsley's portrayal of Silas Lamb.  I do wish that they had given more attention to Michael Caine's character and his relationship with Silas.  They delved into it a bit, but I think the film would have benefited from a bit more exposition in that area.

Of course, there were the thriller / horror aspects of the movie that, if you know me, you know is right down my alley.  The production quality was sufficiently dark and definitely provided the correct 'feel' of the film.

I recommend this to those of you who like Poe type movies.

Draft Day

Released:  2014

Number of Ginger Snaps:  8 out of 10

8 out of 10 Ginger Snaps

Director:  Ivan Reitman

Writers:  Scott Rothman, Rajiv Joseph

Producers:  Ali Bell, Joe Medjuck, Ivan Reitman

Main Actors:  Kevin Costner, Jennifer Garner, Chadwick Boseman, Denis Leary







Favorite Character
Rick the Intern

Favorite Quote
Frank:  He's the son I never had.
Sonny:  Frank, you have a son.

Well, I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised I liked this movie as much as I did.  I don't really know a lot about pro football drafts and was a little unsure of what was going on in the beginning.  You'd think I would know exactly what happens with my football fanatic mother, but, well... I liked it anyway.

It was friggin hilarious!  Despite the absurdity that is American football, it was an enjoyable film.  Kevin Costner did a really good job at being a tormented soul torn between going rouge and doing the expected.  People's reactions to him were extremely funny and real.

Needless to say, if you read what I just wrote, I recommend this movie.  Especially if you want to laugh.

The Expendables 3

Released:  2014

Number of Ginger Snaps:  7 out of 10

7 out of 10

Director:  Patrick Hughes

Writer:  Sylvester Stallone, Creighton Rothenberger

Producer:  Danny Lerner, Avi Lerner

Main Cast:  Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Antonio Banderos, Harrison Ford







Favorite Character
Galgo

Favorite Line
Everyone needs a friend.  I know.  I don't have any.  - Galgo


I loved Antonio Banderos in this movie!  He was friggin hilarious!   I have never seen him in anything like the character he portrayed.  He did a great job.

As for the movie - stuff blew up, Han Solo flew a helicopter, and there was gun fighting, therefore, it is a majorly 'Val' movie.  There were several scenes that did not make much sense, but it didn't matter much since I wasn't watching it for the brilliant and dramatic story line.  (sarcastic remark if you couldn't tell)

I recommend this, but keep in mind, it is purely gratuitous for Stallone - yes, yet another one.  I can appreciate it with that in mind.

Divergent

Released:  2014

Number of Ginger Snaps:  5 Out of 10 

5 out of 10 ginger snaps 

Director:  Neil Burger

Writers:  Veronica Roth, Evan Daugherty, Vanessa Taylor

Producers:  Lucy Fisher, Michael Paseornek, Pouya Shahbazian, Douglas Wick

Main Actors:  Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Ashley Judd








Favorite Character 
Four


So... yeah... not enough explosions in this movie.  It was somewhat engaging, but just not really that good.  It was mediocre at best.  There were fights, so it did have that going for it.

I honestly am not sure why I am giving it a 5.  I watched the entire movie and didn't want to turn it off, but it lacked something.  Maybe it was the plot - a mishmash of the Hunger Games and Twilight and some other 'youth takes over and messes up then people fall in love and...'.  Yeah, that is pretty much my issue with it.

The Great Gatsby

Released:  2013

Number of Ginger Snaps:  6 out of 10

6 out of 10 Ginger Snaps

Director:  Baz Luhrmann

Writers:  Baz Luhrmann, Craig Pearce, Based on F.Scott Fitzgerald's Novel

Producers:  Lucy Fisher, Baz Luhrmann, Douglas Wick

Main Actors:  Leonardo DiCaprio, Elizabeth Debicki, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan




Favorite Line
I love large parties - they're so intimate... Small parties, there's no privacy.  - Jordan

Favorite Scene
Tea - Daisy and Gatsby reunite

Despite the amazing costumes (I love the 20s look), and some beautiful visuals, I wasn't real impressed with this movie.  At times, I felt like I was watching Moulin Rouge.  I didn't like the over-the-top, speed scene aspect of that movie and I definitely did not like it here.  Don't get me wrong, there were some good parts, but I couldn't get past the intensity of the edits and it made me anxious.

The acting was okay.  I couldn't help thinking I was watching Spiderman though.  Sorry Tobey, but I saw Parker at times.