The Talking Reel

Reel talk. Without the commercial interruptions.

Permalink Tom proposes to Violet, the woman who in just a year has changed his life, and she happily accepts.  As the wedding plans commence, Violet gets the job offer of her dreams and needs to extend the engagement until things settle down.  And more and more challenges and obstacles come along, further delaying the final wedding date.   Not your typical romantic comedy.  With Jason Segel at the typewriter, you can expect some over the top humor and raunchy scenes and punch lines.  It was not the best rom’com, but enjoyable.  Seemed long with some drawn out scenes, but you can identify with the characters and real feelings.  I am a little uncomfortable with the actual message that registered with me - oh relationships!  Emily Blunt is charming, Alison Brie and Chris Pratt were hilarious, and Jason Segel once again found a way to make me crush on him for five seconds.  Just five. I give The Five-Year Engagement a general applause.  I am glad I saw this alone.  If I were on a date or with my long-term significant other…oh the awkward after conversations!
Permalink Planning to rule earth, Loki - brother of Thor, invades the planet to retrieve a powerful energy cube with an army of dark lords from another realm.  Not responding lightly, Nick Fury organizes the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division (SHIELD).  With Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Captain America, SHIELD prepares for a celestial battle of the strongest, smartest, and most powerful in the universe. Take note everyone, this is what a superhero movie should deliver!  Phenomenal!  It was lengthy, but entertaining nonetheless.  Whoever writes for Iron Man’s character is genius.  I can’t get enough of Stark, and I’m sure Robert Downey, Jr. just makes the perfect formula.  I enjoyed Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk - sorry Ed, and even Scarlett held it down for the female supers.  Although not completely based on the comics, it was a great story. The Avengers receives a standing ovation, for super awesomeness!  Looking forward to all of the upcoming sequels - bring it!
Permalink A group of guys think they have it all figured out in the game of love and dating.  That is, until their women get a hold of Steve Harvey’s bestselling book, “Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man,” and the game changes.  The guys - easily categorized in the book by type as the non-commiter, the dreamer, the player, the mama’s boy, happily divorced, and the happily married guy, discover the book and strategize a counter-attack.  Let the battle of the sexes begin! What a great movie!  Romantic comedies can be so fun or super corny, and this is definitely a laugh out loud experience.  The writing was clever; and having comedians like Kevin Hart and Gary Owen, kept the laughs coming!  The casting and acting I feel were spot on to each character, and made you appreciate them even more.  I do wish they would have at least shown us what Gary Owen’s character’s wife looked like in the end since he was happily married - plus his real life wife is GORGEOUS!  The diverse nature of the story and cast, makes this film identifiable and enjoyable to any and all audiences. I had to Google the writers (Keith Merryman and David Newman) afterwards because I was so impressed, and guess what?  They wrote Friends with Benefits - consistent! Think Like A Man receives a grand applause.  I did not read Steve Harvey’s book; but hopefully with all that I learned from the movie, I didn’t miss out on anything and can apply in real life - ahaha!  
Permalink To punish citizens for rebelling against them, the Capitol commences with its 74th Annual Hunger Games.  This competition recruits children from 12 districts, 1 male and 1 female tribute, to fight to the death.  Grand prize is pride, recognition, and one year of “luxuries” for your home district.  When her young sister’s name is called, 16 year old Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her place to represent District 12.  A trained hunter thanks to her father; Katniss prepares for the biggest hunt and fight of her life, against tributes who have been training to kill all of their lives. Whoa and wow!  I had not read the books previously, so I walked in excited and blind.  Although a little morbid, the story-line was engaging and thrilling and nerve-wrenching all at the same time!  I had no idea what the games actually were.  For those that read the books, you can imagine my shock when the games began - I screamed!  I screamed and cried and cursed and cheered and…yeah, this movie will do that to you.  Jennifer Lawrence is a force to be reckoned with, and a beauty on top of her talent.  Phenomenal job!  I thought the casting was spot on as well.  I just love Lenny Krazvitz - and what other man can make gold eyeliner sexy?!?! I give The Hunger Games a grand applause.  So now I’m reading the books (loving it) and prefer to be called Katniss…
Permalink From two different social groups in high school, Schmidt and Jenko are reunited in the police academy, becoming partners and best friends.  Labeled as underachieving misfits, they are given an assignment to go undercover at a high school to eradicate a synthetic drug outbreak.  Switching alias’, they undergo more than they bargained for, where their past meets a new breed of high school students. There were occasional laughs, and cool-then-weird cameos, but an overall miss for me.  It could have been something else, but I think they forgot to edit the film and eliminate a lot of unnecessary clutter…I mean scenes.  I can handle over the top comedy, but this felt so forced at certain points.  To be such a short movie, it felt like it was four hours.  Jonah did a great job playing Jonah, and Channing…wish I had waiting for it to come on TBS. I give 21 Jump Street a general applause.  Luckily it was my best friend’s birthday and her movie choice, so I can blame her.
Permalink In 1965, Sir Laurence Olivier set out to make The Prince and the Showgirl, starring himself and America’s Sweetheart, and international icon, Marilyn Monroe.  Seeking the opportunity of a lifetime, young Colin Clark hustles for a studio job to break into the movie business.  Although terribly smitten and mesmerized by the starlet, he forms a friendship and trust with Monroe.  Clark chronicles the stressful working relationship between Olivier and Monroe, as well as his personal week by her side. Seeing is believing.  Michelle Williams was brilliant as the legend Monroe, and breathtaking in every capacity.  The story was well written and took us on the emotional journey of Monroe’s daily struggle to identify and function as Marilyn both professionally and personally.  Although there are laughs, there are moments when you feel for her fight and want to fight for her. I give My Week with Marilyn a grand applause.  Simply stated, beautiful.
Permalink Silent film star George Valentin was at the height of his career, and had everything he ever wanted - and more.  By chance, he meets a young aspiring actress/dancer, and their career paths intertwine.  But when the new wave of movies with vocal sound (talkies) breaks through, George questions his presence and survival in the industry. Wow!  What a brilliant film!  I have to admit, I was concerned about it being a silent movie itself; but it was executed with perfection!  I am still in awe of the genius behind creating this film.  I loved it from start to finish, and actually wanted more.  It was visually entertaining, and hilarious!  Such a fantastic compliment to the history of film, and has marked itself as a classic.  You should believe the hype around this one!  And I have a new crush - hey Jean Dujardin! ;) The Artist receives a standing ovation.  Bravo! Job very well done!
Permalink A high school outlier leans on his new video camera to fight through his daily fears at home and school.  Joining his cousin and the most popular kid in his class, they discover a radioactive phenomenon buried deep in the woods.  Waking up the next day to find they have superhuman capabilities, the three develop a strong connection as their powers continue to grow. I did not know what to expect, and man was I surprised!  The graphics were kind of cool.  This movie was interesting; as it candidly took you on an emotional-action journey through the lives of these three kids.  I think if anything we can walk away with from this movie, is a strong message about how bullying and abuse can affect a person’s life.  Parents, love your kids and teach them to love.  Students, stay strong and do not let anyone - not even your parents, beat you down a destructive path.  Breaks my heart. All in all, I give Chronicle a grand applause.  It was a fun experience, and I promote anything spotlighting our bright future actors of tomorrow.  Keep shining guys!
Permalink Brothers professionally and best friends personally, FDR and Tuck never thought anything could come between them.  Until they both meet the girl of their dreams.  The same girl.  Of both of their dreams.  Using their CIA resources, it is spy versus spy with one mission - get Lauren to fall in love with them! This was a great formula for couples, with the perfect combination of romantic comedy and action movie.  I love Reese Witherspoon and Chris Pine, and enjoyed Tom Hardy…very much!  There were moments that dragged a little, but the action sequences were fantastic.  Insert a little inappropriately-Chelsea, and it was a funny-good-time. This Means War gets a general applause.  Very sexy cast.  Nicely done.
Permalink Living below the radar is no longer an option for vampires and lycans.  The world becomes aware of their existence, and a federal protocol is ordered to cleanse the population of both species.  Forced into hiding but eventually captured, Selene awakes from a frozen prison to find a hybrid child has been created.  After 20 years, a breed of faster, stronger lycans rise, targeting the hybrid child.  Selene must protect the child, honor her legacy, and fight for all mankind’s survival. Fans…you will not be disappointed!  Other people…you will get all the way in within seconds of watching!  After seeing each film, I claim it is the best one so far.  I am confident in saying, this is the best one so far!  Kate Beckinsdale kicks butt!  The graphics, the fight scenes, the story, the action - amazing!  From start to finish, it pulls you in and you are fighting with Selene!  I sat in my seat for a while after, because I wanted more…and there will be more, oh yes, there will be more! I give Underworld: Awakening a grand applause.  The minds and hands that bring us this series are beyond talented, and appreciate their audience.  Thank you for keeping the brand true, exciting, and fresh!