Pixels (2015)

Pixels (2015) Review~
Retro video games like Pac-man and Donkey Kong visit modern day Earth for a pixelated attack. Special effects were well executed. However, again, it's another blunder for Adam Sandler.

Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Michelle Monaghan, with Peter Dinklage and Josh Had

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (For some language and suggestive comments)

Directed By: Chris Columbus

Runtime: 1 Hr. 46 Min. 

Synopsis: When aliens misinterpret video feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war, they attack in the form of video games.

Grade: F (50%)

Minions (2015)

Minions (2015) Review-

The prequel to the laugh - out -loud blockbuster "Despicable Me", follows in its path of  similar ways to crack jokes at audience boldly through the whole film. Terrific job for Sandra Bullock as she makes her animated film debut.

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton, Allison Janney,Jennifer Saunders , with Steve Coogan and Steve Carrell

Directed By: Kyle Balda & Pierre Coffin

MPAA Rating: PG (for action and rude humor)

Runtime: 1 Hr. 44 Min.

Synopsis:

1. Evolving from single-celled yellow organisms at the dawn of time, Minions live to serve, but find themselves working for a continual series of unsuccessful masters, from T. Rex to Napoleon. Without a master to grovel for, the Minions fall into a deep depression. But one minion, Kevin, has a plan; accompanied by his pals Stuart and Bob, Kevin sets forth to find a new evil boss for his brethren to follow. Their search leads them to Scarlet Overkill, the world's first-ever super-villainess.

Rate: A

Max (2015)

Max Review-
Max is a great family film, touching and special. But, its acting is pretty obscure.

Starring: Robbie Amell, Lauren Graham, Thomas Haden Church, Josh Wiggins

Directed By: Boaz Yakin

MPAA Rating: PG (for action violence, peril, brief language, and some thematic elements)

Synopsis: A military dog from Afghanistan is adopted by his late handler's grieving family in the U.S., where his close bond with the soldier's brother leads to a life-altering revelation.

Rate: B+

San Andreas (2015)

San Andreas Review-
Has great action and special effects. And a great ensemble. But its screenplay lacks in making the story more gripping and thrilling.

Starring: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Carla Gugino, Alexandra Daddario, Ioan Gruffudd, with Paul Giamatti and Hugo Johnstone-Burt

Directed By: Brad Peyton

MPAA Rating: PG-13(for intense disaster action and mayhem throughout, and brief strong language)

Runtime: 1 Hr. 54 Min.

Synopsis: 
  In this high-octane thriller, the infamous San Andreas Fault gives way, producing a devastating earthquake across California. A highly skilled helicopter pilot (Dwayne Johnson) races to save his ex-wife (Carla Gugino) in Los Angeles before the complete destruction of the city. After one daring rescue, the pilot flies north toward San Francisco in search of his estranged daughter (Alexandra Daddario), racing against time and the inevitable aftershocks that promise to devastate the coastline.
 Rate: B-

Terminator: Genisys (2015)

Terminator: Genisys Review ~

The Arnold Schwarzenegger mega-hit franchise sequel is mediocre at  best. But, it at least gives the opportunity for Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke to show em' who's boss. 

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney, With Jason Clarke And J.K Simmons

MPAA Rating: PG-13( Gunplay Throughout, Brief Strong Language, Intense Sci-Fi Violence. And Partial Nudity) 

Directed By: Alan Taylor

Runtime: 2 Hours 6 Minutes

Synopsis:

1. When John Connor (Jason Clarke), leader of the human resistance against Skynet, sends Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) back to 1984 to protect his mother, Sarah (Emilia Clarke), from a Terminator assassin, an unexpected turn of events creates an altered timeline. Instead of a scared waitress, Sarah is a skilled fighter and has a Terminator guardian (Arnold Schwarzenegger) by her side. Faced with unlikely allies and dangerous new enemies, Reese sets out on an unexpected new mission: reset the future.

Rate: D+ 

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Mad Max: Fury Road Review~

It's basically The Fast and Furious Franchise on the "Highway to Hell".

Starring: Charlize Theron, Tom Hardy, and Nicholas Hoult

Directed By: George Miller

Runtime: 2 Hours

MPAA Rating: R (intense sequences of violence throughout, and for disturbing images)

 Synopsis: An apocalyptic story set in the furthest reaches of our planet, in a stark desert landscape where humanity is broken, and almost everyone is crazed fighting for the necessities of life. Within this world exist two rebels on the run who just might be able to restore order. There's Max, a man of action and a man of few words, who seeks peace of mind following the loss of his wife and child in the aftermath of the chaos. And Furiosa, a woman of action and a woman who believes her path to survival may be achieved if she can make it across the desert back to her childhood homeland.

 

Rate: C+ (79%)

Jurassic World (2015)

Nearly two decades after the first film, comes the new Jurassic World. New characters, great special effects and awesome action. Once again film composer John Williams' stunning theme captures the mood and tone of the film. Though the film isn't as immerse as the original film, this film is still another satisfying entry into the Jurassic series.

Hopping on the stomping grounds of the Jurassic Park is director Colin Trevorrow. Trevorrow makes this film nostalgic for fans of the 1993 original. It's exciting and action-packed to the biggest of levels.

Entering the wondrous land are: Chris Pratt and Bryce-Dallas Howard. They're a tag team of sorts in a way that makes the film more edgy. They have a chemistry that is unlike any film of this magnitude.

Michael Giacchino scores the film. He uses Williams' iconic theme and incorporates that in his own way. He also makes the score unique to that of the original film. His score might be memorable just like William's.

The action in this movie is nothing short of huge. It's Jurassic and it is exciting as it plays out nicely with the rest of the film. The action represents big use of CGI and anamatronics, in a very big way.

Though the film is exciting and all, it does tend to get too dry with cliches and boring dialogue. Suffice to say that the overwhelmingly present action and beautiful scenery help the film get back on track. Yeah, it may not live up to the original, it sure does the job of entertaining audiences of the beloved franchise.

Photo Courtsey: Universal

Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce-Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins

Directed By: Colin Trevorrow

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sci-fi violence and peril

Runtime: 2 Hours 4 Minutes

Synopsis:

1. Located off the coast of Costa Rica, the Jurassic World luxury resort provides a habitat for an array of genetically engineered dinosaurs, including the vicious and intelligent Indominus rex. When the massive creature escapes, it sets off a chain reaction that causes the other dinos to run amok. Now, it's up to a former military man and animal expert (Chris Pratt) to use his special skills to save two young boys and the rest of the guests from an all-out, prehistoric assault.

   
   

   Rate: B-