Elf (2003)

   In this very jolly Christmas comedy starring Will Farrell as "Buddy The Elf", he is adopted by elves from the "North Pole". He is then informed by Santa that his biological father is in a "magical place" called "New York City" He travels there to meet him, and on his journey there many silly things happen! Fun for the whole family! Exciting. Silly. Goofy.

Starring: Will Farrell, Zooey Deschanel, James Caan

Director: Jon Faverau 

MPAA Rating: PG

Runtime: 1 Hour and 40 minutes

Synopsis: After inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity.

Rate: A+ (94%) 

The Peanuts Movie (2015)

   Based upon the popular comic strip "Peanuts" By Charles M. Schultz,  comes a full length three-dimensional film.  This feature film is a delight for all. Immensely entertaining. Fun for whole family. 

   Director: Steve Martino

   Starring: Noah Schnapp, Hadley Miller and Bill Melendez

   MPAA Rating: G

   

   Synopsis:

 Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved "Peanuts" gang make their big-screen debut, like they've never been seen before, in state of the art 3D animation. Charlie Brown, the world's most beloved underdog, embarks upon an epic and heroic quest, while his best pal, the lovable beagle Snoopy, takes to the skies to pursue his arch-nemesis, the Red Baron. From the imagination of Charles M. Schulz and the creators of the ICE AGE films, THE PEANUTS MOVIE will prove that every underdog has his day.

Runtime: 1 hour and 30 minutes

    Rate: A- (92%) 

Joy (2015)

  Based on the real life story of a girl would become a multi-million dollar selling inventor. "Joy" tells the story behind how it all started. Stars Jennifer Lawrence as the determined inventor Joy Mangano. The film tackles just how difficult Joy's struggles were to kickstart such a successful business dynasty. With the help and guidance of those closest to her she can do anything. Amid some bumps in the road, financially and personally like getting divorced and filing for bankruptcy, Joy overcomes these seemingly impossible struggles. 

    Jennifer Lawrence renuites with director David O. Russell for the third time. And Bradley Cooper for the fourth time. Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper are a dream-team in this inspirational motion picture. 

   O. Russell did an okay job at trying to interpret Joy Mangano's story. By stating the fact, the film is only biased. Just facts only approached. But Lawrence's performance is a job well done. Highly praisable. The other cast did well to. Robert DiNiro plays her dad in the film. His preformance as a divorcee, single man is also cause for praise. He gives a sense of connection with Lawrence's role. 

  The sets are good in the sense of the time period in which is the early 70's and through the 80's East Coast. But, the special effects in which fake snow is used that makes a cause for bad.

  Based on the real life story of a girl would become a multi-million dollar selling inventor. "Joy" tells the story behind how it all started. Overall, Joy is a tale of Triumph, Loss, and Perseverance. 

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert DiNiro, Bradley Cooper

Director: David O. Russell 

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 2 Hours & 4 Minutes

Synopsis:

A story of a family across four generations, centered on the girl who becomes the woman who founds a business dynasty and becomes a matriarch in her own right. Facing betrayal, treachery, the loss of innocence and the scars of love, Joy becomes a true boss of family and enterprise in a world of unforgiving commerce. Allies become adversaries and adversaries become allies, both inside and outside the family, as Joy's inner life and fierce imagination carry her through the storm she faces.

Grade: B- (83%) 

  

   

The Good Dinosaur (2015)

Pixar's 16th animated feature film The Good Dinosaur  is a beautiful masterpiece. A wonderful work of imagination and art. The animation in this spectacular film is very realistic. Spectacular. Emotional. Exciting. Fun for the whole family. 

Starring: Raymond Ochoa, Jeffery Wright, Frances McDormand, Steve Zahn, with Jack Bright, and Sam Elliott

Director: Peter Sohn 

MPAA Rating: PG

Runtime: 1 Hour and 40 Minutes

Synopsis: 

Luckily for young Arlo, his parents (Jeffrey Wright, Frances McDormand) and his two siblings, the mighty dinosaurs were not wiped out 65 million years ago. When a rainstorm washes poor Arlo (Raymond Ochoa) downriver, he ends up bruised, battered and miles away from home. Good fortune shines on the frightened dino when he meets Spot (Jack Bright), a Neanderthal boy who offers his help and friendship. Together, the unlikely duo embark on an epic adventure to reunite Arlo with his beloved family.


Rate: A+

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (2015)

The epic and final chapter to the global phenomenon The Hunger Games, Mockingjay Part 2, does not disappoint. It is a breathing taking,  heart wrenching action -packed film. Stellar performances are given by the all-star ensemble. They definitely know how to tug at the hearts of book and movie fans! Director Francis Lawrence has done a tremendous job at interpreting the very successful books to the silver screen. In which ways include, the action sequences, character dialogue, and the settings. Overall, Mockingjay Part 2 is a terrific finale to a YA' franchise which has grossed over 2.3 Billion dollars, the first three movies alone.

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, with Donald Sutherland and Stanley Tucci

Director: Francis Lawrence 

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 2 Hours & 16 Minutes

Synopsis: 

Realizing the stakes are no longer just for survival, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) teams up with her closest friends, including Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), Gale (Liam Hemsworth) and Finnick for the ultimate mission. Together, they leave District 13 to liberate the citizens of war-torn Panem and assassinate President Snow, who's obsessed with destroying Katniss. What lies ahead are mortal traps, dangerous enemies and moral choices that will ultimately determine the future of millions.

Grade: A+

The Divergent Series: Insurgent (2015)

Insurgent (2015) review~ 

Great action and Special effects sequences. Powerful performances by a star - studded cast. Breathtaking and brilliant! 

Cast: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Ansel Elgort, Octavia Spencer, with Kate Winslet, and Naomi Watts

Production Company: Summit Entertainment 

Director: Robert Schwentke

Runtime: 1 hour and 59 minutes

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Intense Violence and Action Throughout, Some Sensuality, Thematic Elements and Brief Language)

Synopsis:

1. Now on the run from Jeanine (Kate Winslet) and the rest of the power-hungry Erudites, Tris (Shailene Woodley) and Four (Theo James) search for allies and answers in the ruins of Chicago. They must find out what Tris' family sacrificed their lives to protect and why the Erudites will do anything to stop them. Side by side, Tris and Four face one seemingly insurmountable challenge after another, as they unravel the secrets of the past and -- ultimately -- the future of their world.

   Rate: A+ (from an A to an F scale) 

Spectre (2015)

The 24th film in the ultra successful James Bond film series, Spectre, has up'd the action from previous film Skyfall. Daniel Craig does it again, giving another outstanding preformance as 007. 

Starring: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes, Monica Bellucci, Naomie Harris, Lea Seydoux, with Ben Whishaw, and David Bautista

Director: Sam Mendes 

MPAA Rating: PG-13 

Runtime: 2 Hours & 26 Minutes 

Synopsis: 

A cryptic message from the past leads James Bond (Daniel Craig) to Mexico City and Rome, where he meets the beautiful widow (Monica Bellucci) of an infamous criminal. After infiltrating a secret meeting, 007 uncovers the existence of the sinister organization SPECTRE. Needing the help of the daughter of an old nemesis, he embarks on a mission to find her. As Bond ventures toward the heart of SPECTRE, he discovers a chilling connection between himself and the enemy (Christoph Waltz) he seeks.


Rate: A+