The Huntsman: Winter War Review

Who knew there was a sequel to Snow White (Hollywood can't stop, won't stop). Right off the bat, it's significantly better than its predecessor in large part due to the fact that KStew isn't in it. And in no way does this movie deserve a confounding 16% on Rotten Tomatoes, because despite its role reversal this pop-corn flick remains the fairest of them all. 

Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, who was actually the visual effects supervisor for Snow White, stepped up to direct The Huntsman: Winter's War. This movie has magic, it has castles and it has a handful of fantastical creatures, all of which will wildly entertain the kiddies and teens. The female component of the cast is nothing if not accomplished. Evil queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron) and the huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) return for round two, joined by the fierce huntswoman (Jessica Chastain) and the beautiful ice queen sister (Emily Blunt - love).   

The gist of the plot: As a war between rival queen sisters Ravenna and Freya (Blunt) escalates, Eric (Hemsworth) and fellow warrior Sara (Chastain), members of the Huntsmen army raised to protect Freya, try to conceal their forbidden love as they combat Ravenna's wicked intentions.

While I found Winter's War to be few sades above average, I maintain the story was unreasonably confusing - jumping back and forth between being a prequel and a sequel. It's also predictable, mixed with underdeveloped story-lines/characters, all sprinkled with a rushed, anticlimactic ending.  But with that said, many elements of a terrific Fantasy are still in full swing.  It shines with stunning visuals, dazzling costumes and striking set-designs. Stellar! Stellar! Stellar! And the plot, despite its lack of development, is surprisingly original. There is also a lot more humor this time around, which is refreshing. The movie doesn’t take itself too seriously, which in the end makes it an easy, fun and enjoyable movie to watch.
RATING: C+ 

What did you think?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below...

Jason Bourne Trailer

Source: YouTube

"What if he's not coming for us... what if it's something else?"

You ready to get Bourne again? Universal has 'finally' released their first trailer for Jason Bourne, which is the new stellar sequel starring Matt Damon, just nine years after Ultimatum, and number five in this badass series (ahem, but does anyone 'really' count Bourne Legacy?).  A few months ago we got a teeny-tiny teaser, which was just enough to get our mouths wet, but this time around the studio doesn't hold back. This is definitely worth showcasing. It. Looks. Siiick. I can't 'even' wait for this movie! Summer is lookin' hot hot hot! The film also stars the likes of Alicia Vikander (adore!), Julia Stiles, Tommy Lee Jones, Vincent Cassel and Riz Ahmed. Have a look-see for yourself!

Matt Damon returns to his most iconic role in Jason Bourne. Paul Greengrass, the director of The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, once again joins Damon for the next chapter in Universal Pictures' Bourne franchise, which finds the CIA’s most lethal former operative drawn out of the shadows... again. Frank Marshall again produces alongside Jeffrey Weiner for Captivate Entertainment, and Greengrass, Damon, Gregory Goodman and Ben Smith also produce. Plan for Jason Bourne to hit theaters on July 29, 2016. For more info. visit this site. 

I'm so ready to get Bourne again! What do you think? Share your thoughts on the trailer in the comment section below... 

Doctor Strange Teaser

Source: Firstshowing

"You know what I see in your future?... Possibility."   

Disney can't stop, won't stop! with Marvel's 'illest' teaser for Doctor Strange, which just wrapped up in NYC last week. This looks awesome! I love a good comic-book Blockbuster. It has a very strong Matrix vibe to it too. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Stephen Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme, which of course is a super-hero that gains his powers from The Ancient One, played by Tilda Swinton (LOVE her!). The rest of the cast also includes the likes of Rachel McAdams (adore), Mads Mikkelsen, Scott Adkins, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Stuhlbarg and Benedict Wong. This is just a teaser so they don't reveal too much, which as you know is perfect. In fact, there is little to no need to show anymore than this.  Here's my money Disney, I'm all in! This could be fantastical on so many levels.  Have a look-see and enjoy... 

Doctor Strange is directed by American filmmaker  Scott Derrickson, of the films The Exorcism of Emily Rose, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Sinister and Deliver Us from Evil previousl, and the script  is written by C. Robert Cargill. Doctor Strange follows a once brilliant neurosurgeon forced into retirement after a car accident destroys his once skilled hands. He then meets the Ancient One on a trip to Tibet and learns to become the Sorcerer Supreme. After filming in London for the last four months, the film is being prepared for release this fall.  Disney will release Marvel's Doctor Strange everywhere on November 4, 2016.

What did you think of this teaser? And will you be seeing this in theaters? Share your thoughts in the comment section below...

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Trailer

Source: Firstshowing

 "I wonder, what makes Albus Dumbledore so found of you?..."

Warner Bros is on 'fire' this year! with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad and now their full-length trailer for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which is the next new Harry Potter spin-off. Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne plays Newt Scamander, a magizoologist who ends up letting loose a suitcase stocked full of magical creatures in New York City in the 20's. This trailer allows us to meet more of the cast including Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler, and Colin Farrell, to name a few. I love the slow building music, but more than anything I love how they don't give too much away.  No need to show us the whole movie before we see the whole movie, ya know. I'm such a Harry Potter fan. And I'm thrilled we get to experience more of that world all over again.  A) I love Fantasies and B) I heart the 20's. This looks exhilarating and enchanting. I can't wait to see it!  Have a look-see for yourself and enjoy!

The movie takes us on the adventures of writer Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) in New York's secret community of witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his first book in school. This is written by  J.K. Rowling and directed by English filmmaker David Yates, director of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, plus Half-Blood Prince (my personal fav.), and both Deathly Hallows two-part finale. The film features the American version of the Ministry of Magic, housed in the Woolworth Building in New York City, known as the "Magical Congress of the United States of America (or MACUSA)". Warner Bros just finished filming this movie and will released on November 18, 2016. 

How excited are you?!  Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section below. 

Suicide Squad 'Blitz' Trailer (#3)

Source: Youtube

"I'm known to be quite vexing, I'm just forewarning you." 

Warner Bros has unleashed another killer trailer for Suicide Squad. This motley crew of Badass Villains looks awesome!  Even though this trailer isn't quite as gripping as the last one, it still packs one powerful punch. I am 'beyond' excited for this star-studded, popcorn flick! It looks action-packed, fun, funny, dark and edgy. Take my money, Warner Bros. I'm all in! This DC Comic-book Blockbuster stars the lovable Will Smith, Margot Robbie (adore!), Cara Delevingne (LOVE!), Jared Leto, Joel Kinnaman (swoon!), Jai Courtney, Viola Davis, Common, Jay Hernandez, Karen Fukuhara among others. I just hope this movie is as fun as it appears.  Take a look and enjoy!

Suicide Squad is a DC Comics movie from Warner Bros, directed by David Ayer (End of Watch, Sabotage, Fury) from a script by David Ayer based on the comic books. We have Will Smith is Deadshot, Joel Kinnaman is Rick Flagg, Margot Robbie is Harley Quinn, Jared Leto is Joker, Jai Courtney plays Boomerang, Viola Davis plays Amanda Waller, Cara Delevingne is Enchantress, and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje is supposedly playing Killer Croc. All of these characters are part of a super Villain team recruited by the government for secret missions. It's also rumored that Ike Barinholtz is playing Dr. Hugo Strange, Adam Beach is possibly Ravan and Jim Parrack is playing Deathstroke.  This killer movie hits theaters this summer, August 5, 2016.

I don't even need to ask, but I will... you down?

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Trailer

Source: Firstshowing

"This is a rebellion, isn't?... I rebel." 

It's time to travel back to a galaxy far, far away... again. Disney doesn't mess around, and the trailer for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story proves it. Last year The Force Awakened, but this year we get a spin-off set in the Star Wars universe (something to tie us down until Episode VIII). This looks awesome! The story is about a group of rebels who's mission is to steal the plans for the Death Star. This is a 'perfect' teaser too.  It sets out to do what most Trailers 'should' do... tease... and nothing more. No need to show anymore than this, folks. Take my money, Disney, I'm all in. Love the music, love all the visuals, bring it on. This movie stars the likes of Felicity Jones, Mads Mikkelsen, Donnie Yen, Ben Mendelsohn, Forest Whitaker, Diego Luna, Jonathan Aris, Riz Ahmed & Alan Tudyk.  Check it out and enjoy...

"Rogue One takes place before the events of Star Wars: A New Hope and will be a departure from the saga films but have elements that are familiar to the Star Wars universe," says Kathleen Kennedy. Rogue One tells the story of resistance fighters who have united to steal plans to the dreaded Death Star. It's being directed by English filmmaker Gareth Edwards, of the movies Monsters and Godzilla previously. The screenplay is credited to  Chris Weitz (About a Boy, The Golden Compass, Cinderella) based on a story by  John Knoll and Gary Whitta. Disney will release Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in theaters everywhere on December 16, 2016. For even more Star Wars updates, click here. 

You down?... 

Celebrating Heath Ledger

Source: Youtube

Today we celebrate the life of one of Hollywood's most beloved and talented actors - Heath Ledger - born April 4th 1979. He would have been 37 years old today. Most fans will remember Ledger for his Oscar award-winning performance as the malevolent and sinister Joker in The Dark Knight, in which he blew our collective minds away with his dark take on Batman's arch-nemesis. He forever changed the face of comic-book villains for better and for always, and it will go down in history as one of the best performances of all time. Not to mention his Oscar-nominated role in Brokeback Mountain. That role marked one of the greatest, astonishing acting transformations of our time.
 

I loved Ledger’s work especially his earlier, lighter stuff - his goofy romantic lead in the teen-Shakespeare farce 10 Things I Hate About You, his sly and tongue-in-cheek turn as a medieval sports hero in A Knight's Tale and his con-artist, fairy tale adventures in  The Brothers Grimm. He was the first actor that I 'almost' shed a tear for after I learned of his untimely death. Why, I have no clue,... never even knew the guy. He simply had the unique ability to capture our hearts so effortlessly. He was truly a remarkable actor with an exuberant amount of talent and promise, and he will live on in our hearts forever. Forever Young. Heath Ledger lived a wonderful, yet extremely short life and he will without a doubt be missed indefinitely.

Peace Be With You

"It's like anything in life, visualizing the old man you're going to become: As long as you have a clear picture of that - the life you want to lead - eventually you'll probably get there." 

"When I die, my money is not gonna come with me. My movies will live on for people to judge what I was as a person.  I just want to stay curious and keep smiling like the Joker."

"If you make decisions based on people's reactions or judgements, then you make boring choices."

-Heath Ledger

 

What are some of your favorite Heath Ledger films/moments? Feel free to leave your picks in the comment section below...

Top Ten Movies We Wish Were April Fools’ Day Jokes

Source: YouTube

Here is a list of the sorriest movies in recent cinema. Like any art form, film can be rather subjective. What one finds horrible the other might love. And there are movies out there that are so ridiculously stupid they actually end up being pretty awesome - these are called Cult Classics. But 'here' we have a list of movies that are simply so bad we wish they were jokes Hollywood played on us on April Fools’ Day.  Instead they just played us for fools.  Take a look...

Dishonorable Mentions:
Junior (1994)  
Jupiter Ascending (2015)
Aftermath (2012)
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) 


10. Catwoman (2004)

Yep. She's 'actually' an Oscar award-winning actress. (shakes head)



9. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) 

Ever wondered what Darth Vader was like as a kid? No? OK.



8. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) 

Yeah. Let's "out-smart" the dino with a little "fancy" gym routine. (thumbs up)



7. That's My Boy (2012) 

"Everyone in this room is now dumber for having [watched] it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."



6. Elektra (2005) 

 

Wow. I sure wish I had the last two hours of my life back.



5. Spider-Man 3 (2007)

 

There are few things we wish we could un-see. That emo Spider-man dance... thing? is one of them.



4. Lady in the Water (2006) 

M. Night Shyamalan?... The answer's in the question.



3.  Jack and Jill (2011)

I kinda wish Adam Sandler would give dramatic acting another shot. 



2. Twilight (2008)

 I. Just... Can't.

1. Batman & Robin (1997)

Bat credit card, bat nipples... 'nough said. (rolls eyes)

Sometimes Hollywood spits out a movie so bad it's hard to ignore, and the aforementioned films are no exception. These insufferable bores failed to excite, thrill, captivate and entertain. In fact, the only thing these films 'do' produce is a rancid stench of horrible buzz-feed. Sure, there may be WAY worse movies out there, but for all the hype and anticipation 'these' movies received it's no wonder we all gagged. But as horrific as these movies truly are they still managed to gross more $money$ than I'll see in a lifetime. The madness.

Remember, no list is ever definitive. As long as the industry keeps pumping garbage to the masses this list will constantly be changing. But in the meantime, feel free to share your own picks in the comment section below.