Monday, June 23, 2014

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

Rated: PG-13 - Runtime: 113 min
tesg's Rating: Three stars (out of four)

You know how when you play a combat-style video game and you die, you revert back to a specific point in the game and keep trying until you succeed?  This is basically the movie version of that.  And probably the most important thing to get right in such a framework is the pacing, and they do it well here.  A great watch.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Jersey Boys (2014)

Rated: R - Runtime: 134 min
tesg's Rating: Two stars (out of four)

Wait...wasn't this supposed to be a musical?

Friday, June 13, 2014

22 Jump Street (2014)

Rated: R - Runtime: 109 min
tesg's Rating: Two and one half stars (out of four)

This movie feels like they wrote a rough outline and improvised the rest.  Like 10 percent script and 90 percent improvisation.  "Cannonball Run 2" feels more put together than this.

Having said that, the two funniest scenes of any movie all year are in this, and it's a stupid fun ride overall.

Maleficent (2014)

Rated: PG - Runtime: 98 min
tesg's Rating: Three stars (out of four)

Friend: "Well, you liked it better than I did."

Me: "That's because you're a Disney traditionalist."

That's probably how it will go for you too.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Chef (2014)

Rated: R - Runtime: 115 min
tesg's Rating: Two and one half stars (out of four)

My all-time favorite foodie movie, by far, is "Tortilla Soup".  "Chef" isn't on the level of "Tortilla Soup".  But it is harmless fluff if you don't mind the foul language (pretty much the only reason it gets an R rating).  It has a plot hole the size of China that is necessary for the journey and the ending, but I guess we wouldn't have a movie without it.

Robert Downey Jr, as usual, steals the show.

Only Lovers Left Alive (2014)

Rated: R - Runtime: 122 min
tesg's Rating: Two stars (out of four)

Jeepers.  What a pretentious prick.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

The Fault In Our Stars (2014)

Rated: PG-13 - Runtime: 126 min
tesg's Rating: Two and one half stars (out of four)

What this movie needs is less sappy music and a better director.  Maybe Jason Reitman.  Yeah, let Diablo Cody rework the script and Jason Reitman direct, and let the serious scenes play out cold, no sappy music.  Then you'd have something here.