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).

The Imitation Game

Release:  2014

Number of Ginger Snaps:  9 out of 10

9 out of 10 ginger snaps 

Director:  Morten Tyldum

Writers:  Graham Moore, Andrew Hodges

Producers:  Nora Grossman, Ido Ostrowsky, Teddy Schwartzman

Main Actors:  Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode




Favorite Character
Stewart Menzies

Favorite Quote
"I know it's not  ordinary.  But who ever loved ordinary?" - Joan


Wow.  Just Wow.  I'm actually reading a SciFi book right now, Cryptonomicon by Neal Stevenson (thanks to my hubby), which includes this movie's character.  Alan Turing was a real person who was pivotal in decrypting the Nazi's Enigma machine and the start of digital computing.  This movie was based on his life.

Benedict Cumberbatch portrayed Turing brilliantly.  His characterization was just as I pictured while reading Crytonomicon.  I still get willies thinking about the decisions that man had to make.  The film captured the turmoil, secrecy, and genius of the people involved in WWII decoding.

I liked the directing choices Tyldum made.  He portrayed the time period well.

I really don't know what else to say.  Turing was totally and utterly brilliant.  All I could say after watching the movie was "How???  HOW??? How does that happen????  How can someone think that into existence!?!".

Oh - and I do recommend Crytonomicon - it's brilliant too.

Let's Kill Ward's Wife

Released:  2014

Number of Ginger Snaps:  7 of 10

7 out of 10 ginger snaps

Director:  Scott Foley

Writer:  Scott Foley

Producers:  Scott Foley, James Carpinello, Joe Hardesty, Patrick Wilson

Main Actors:  Amy Acker, James Carpinello, Donald Faison, Greg Grunberg, Patrick Wilson



Favorite Scene
David's presentation of the body disposal options

Favorite Character
Gina (she's cute)

Since I just became a wife, I thought this might be a funny movie to watch.  It was entertaining for sure.  The wife to be killed, Stacy, really needed to die.  She was a royal bi!cH.

Justifications for her death were hilarious and the reactions for dealing with the mess were pretty well rounded.   There was the matter-of-fact reaction, guilt response, and the appreciative gratitude for the death.

The movie was a bit slow though.  The pacing needed to be a bit faster.  I liked the script and the acting was good, but at times it just dragged a little too much.

A Million Ways to Die in the West

Released:  2014

Number of Ginger Snaps:  6 Out of 10

6 out of 10 Ginger Snaps

Director:  Seth MacFarlane

Writers:  Seth MacFarlane, Alec Sulkin, Wellesley Wild

Producers:  Jason Clark, Seth MacFarlane, Scott Stuber

Main Actors:  Seth MacFarlane, Charlize Theron, Liam Neeson, Giovanni Ribisi, Sara Silverman



Favorite Scene
The County Fair Picture Fatality

Favorite Character
Edward

Although this wasn't a 'good movie', there were some friggin hilarious moments that I still laugh about when I think of them.  The camera explosion at the fair and Neil Patrick Harris' attempts at getting another hat were two such moments.

I do enjoy Seth McFarlane's humor, but I think Robot Chicken is the appropriate outlet for it, not a full length movie.  It moved too slowly and the funny gems were few and far between.  Some of the diatribes were way to long and became a bit annoying.

If you are looking for a mundane and slightly silly movie to watch when you are bored, I recommend this one.  There are better options to getting your laugh on than this, but, I suppose, I did get some good rounds of giggles nonetheless.

Furious 7

Released:  4/3/2015

Number of Ginger Snaps:  5 out of 10 

5 out of 10 ginger snaps

Director:  James Wan

Writers:  Chris Morgan, Gary Scott Thompson

Producers:  Vin Diesel, Michael Fottrell, Neal H. Moritz

Main Cast:  Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez




Favorite Character
Toss up between Hobbs and Roman

Favorite Quote
Goddamn IT guys.  - Hobbs

If is wasn't for the annoying camera work during the 'serious' scenes, the lack of plot continuity, the multiple times the movie should have ended but kept going, and my inability to suspend disbelief that much, it was good.  I know, it was Paul Walker's last movie, and I can appreciate that, but it wasn't him I was disappointed in.  I can suspend disbelief to a point, but dang... the movie crossed the line into ridiculousness in demanding that from the audience.

I didn't expect to see brilliant cinematic performances from the actors.  It's an action flick - there were explosions, gun fights, fist fights, and, of course, fast car chases (yay!).  What got to me though was Vin Diesel.  I never really thought he was a good actor, but in the past movies, I bought his performance as Dom.  This one, I just couldn't.  I kept thinking he is starting to look old and fluffy.  He started to annoy me.  A lot.

Roman, Hobbs and Kurt Russell's character were pretty funny and the action scenes were very well done despite the outrageousness of them.  The movie did have some redeeming qualities, but not enough for me to give it more than 5 ginger snaps.  

Lone Survivor

Released:  2013

Number of Ginger Snaps:  9 Out of 10

9 out of 10 ginger snaps 

Director:  Peter Berg

Writers:  Peter Berg, Marcus Luttell, Patrick Robinson

Producers:  Sarah Aubrey, Peter Berg, Randall Emmett

Main Actors:  Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Ben Foster, Eric Bana




Favorite Quotes
Is she coming?  - Marcus
Yeah, she's a bridesmaid. - Danny
But is she coming? - Marcus
She's a bridesmaid. - Danny


I cried at the end.  I admit it.  I knew going into it that it was based on a true story, but damn did they do a good job of making this film.  It was totally engaging and I was fully engrossed in the characters.  I cannot imagine going through anything even remotely similar to even a brief section of their situation.  The decisions those men had to make... just wow.   Anyone reading this who is or has served in our armed forces - God bless you.

Obviously, I recommend this film.  It is not for the faint-of-heart though - that is for sure.  Like I said, I cried at the end.  A lot.

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.