Bridge of Spies (2015)

Spielberg's Bridge of Spies is an Authentic Cold War  Action-Thriller that delivers a  powerful and dramatic performance by Tom Hanks.



Starring: Tom Hanks


Director: Steven Spielberg

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 2 Hours & 21 Minutes

Synopsis:
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union captures U.S. pilot Francis Gary Powers after shooting down his U-2 spy plane. Sentenced to 10 years in prison, Powers' only hope is New York lawyer James Donovan (Tom Hanks), recruited by a CIA operative to negotiate his release. Donovan boards a plane to Berlin, hoping to win the young man's freedom through a prisoner exchange. If all goes well, the Russians would get Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance), the convicted spy who Donovan defended in court. 

Rate: B- (82%) 

The Big Short (2015)

Based on the acclaimed novel and the real accounts of what happened during the Economy Collapse of 2008. Renowned director Adam McKay brings "The Big Short" to it's silver screen adaption. Actors Christian Bale, Steve Carrell, and Ryan Gosling deliver dramatic and captivating performances as Financial Business Gurus. The dialogue of the film is so professional and causal for business terms. The film shows just how serious the effects of a financial crisis really can be, really was. There were many conflicts and consequences to this financial mess which caused severe unemployment, loss of houses, and many Americans filing for Bankruptcy. Based on the acclaimed novel and the real accounts of what happened during the Economy Collapse of 2008. "The Big Short" is a dramatic, captivating, mind-boggling, motion picture experience unlike anything else. 

Starring: Christian Bale, Steve Carrell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt

Director: Adam McKay

MPAA Rating: R

Runtime: 2 Hours & 10 Minutes

Synopsis:

In 2008, Wall Street guru Michael Burry realizes that a number of subprime home loans are in danger ofdefaulting. Burry bets against the housing market by throwing more than $1 billion of his investors' money into credit default swaps. His actions attract the attention of banker Jared Vennett (Ryan Gosling), hedge-fund specialist Mark Baum (Steve Carell) and other greedy opportunists. Together, these men make a fortune by taking full advantage of the impending economic collapse in America.

Rate: B (85%) 

Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015)

  A similar twist to James Bond. Kingsman is a  raunchy-Action comedy flick. Very exciting. The acting is somewhat cheesy. Colin Firth does a nice job at presenting as a mentor for the films protagonist. And Samuel L. Jackson like always, does an exceptional job at his portrayal of the films villain. Overall, Kingsman is an awesome action film. 

Starring: Colin Firth and Samuel L. Jackson

Director: Matthew Vaughn

Runtime: 2 Hours & 9 minutes 

MPAA Rating: R

Synopsis: 

Based upon the acclaimed comic book and directed by Matthew Vaughn, Kingsman: The Secret Service tells the story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency's ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.

Rate: B- (82%) 

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+