Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Hey everyone, back again for another review and this time, and I'm here to give my honest opinion on a movie genre stretching over 37 years. Plus, many people could take everything i say way too seriously. Well, without anymore wasted time lets find out if the force was strong with this newest film in this franchise:

Star Wars: The Force Awakens-


I have been watching the Star wars movies all my life. I remember seeing "Return of the Jedi" for the first time when I was nine years old on HBO. Now, 28 years later, this movie basically beats you over the head with nostalgia many parts of the film. Ranging from the Millennium Falcon being  revealed under the tarp to R2D2 beeping away.

Plot- Luke Skywalker has exiled himself somewhere in the universe after he feels guilty from hia students being slaughtered. Everyone is looking for him, either in this time of need the Rebels need his help, or the Sith want to wipe out the last remaining Jedi. A bunch of events that bring together two young people, where they make their own choices, and find out they have great things in their future.

I truly enjoyed the movie, I did, but there were a few things that did bother me. Well, one, the movie is pretty much a remake of "A New Hope." Secondly, where the hell did, the villain find Darth Vader's helmet? Wasn't it burned and destroy in the fire? Thirdly, how easily they took down the new battle station. Lastly, besides the villain being a boy with daddy issues, being a trained person with the force, and how the two heroes were able to go toe to toe with him in a light saber battle. Pretty sad in my opinion.

The acting though was amazing... you truly felt the emotions this time around. None of this grain of sands talk... The moments between the characters was truly well done....

Final Verdict, 8/10, its a great movie, just because of the things that bothered me, doesn't mean it wasn't good. It's worth to see in theaters.

More movies to come... This is Phil Goes to the Movies, so you don't have to!

Krampus

It's time to celebrate for our greatest movie reviewer has returned, yes, Phil Goes to the Movies has returned! I mean, who knew buying a house would suck up all of your financial resources, which left to me unable to do all the fun things I like to do, and with that said, I have come back during the Holiday Blockbuster Season. What better way to kick things off then to start with a Christmas movie of course....sit back as I begin the review:

Krampus- It is an Austrian-German Folk lore about a satanic spirit that would hang around with Santa Claus. Santa would reward the good people, while the Krampus would punish the naughty, and he would punish them by taking them away, never to be seen again. He would mostly take children.

Plot- Its modern day, and the film begins with how things have changed for Christmas, basically, showing how everyone has literally forgotten the true meaning of the holiday. Showing a store called "Much More" on Black Friday...pretty much the chaos you see on Youtube-- people attacking one another over gifts and things. One boy, named Max, still believes in Santa, but when his family shows up for the holidays, his beliefs rapidly change. After he cannot be around his family anymore he secretly makes a wish, and a violent snow storm hits the town. This is where the mystical Krampus comes to claim those whom have been naughty. Here we watch as the family tries to survive from the Krampus' attacks.

Honestly, the movie seemed campy here and there, but it was paced pretty well. I, originally, thought it was going to be a comedy because of actors, Adam Scott and David Koechner; because, both of these guys have been in Will Ferrell movies, but they played actual serious parts. The best part about this film is the CGI was very limited, and this really made the monsters and evil toys attacking so much more scarier. Even the Krampus himself wasn't CGI, I mean, yes they did use some CGI here and there, but they didn't use it when it counted. Yes, the ginger bread men were CGI, which lead to them not being very scary...but really, how can gingerbread men ever be funny?

I enjoyed the film and it really set the tone for the Holiday Blockbuster Season! I wouldn't bring any children to see this film because the evil toys and evil elves might be too much for them.

Final Verdict- 7.5/10, Really well paced, great ending, you should see this movie in theaters, but leave those kids at home.

I am truly back, and I am ready to review more of the holiday films this season... until then This is Phil Goes to the Movies, so you don't have to!

Poltergeist (2015)

Hey everyone, I've been so busy since the last movie I saw in theaters, I haven't been able to get to a movie. I made time for the remake of one of the scariest movies of my childhood. Did it scare the crap out of me or was the real poltergeist, the movie theater for stealing my money? Lets find out:

Poltergeist (2015)- Well, its the remake NO ONE asked for, but "it's here" because Hollywood has definitely run out of ideas at this point in time. Steven Spielberg has made movie classics, and to remake one of his best films takes balls.... really does! I remember this movie leaving an impression on me when I was younger.

Plot- Nothing really to say because if you have seen the original you know the plot. If have no idea what this movie is...well, it is about a family moving into a home, which turns out was built on top of an old cemetery, and unrestful spirits come to take the youngest daughter to help them pass over to the other side. The family hires paranormal investigators to help locate and bring their daughter back.

The movie felt really rushed. The original takes it time setting the stage, building up tension the entire time. The best way to explain this is this, the original is like a couple in their 30's, taking their time making love. The remake is like two horny teenagers banging away ending in seconds. The remake was entertaining but it wasn't scary... i'm sorry, I can't be terrified by CGI. The clown scene in the previews was terrifying, but became instantly stupid when it was a CGI clown wrestling with the boy!

Final Verdict- 6.5/10, it was entertaining, but really shouldn't have been made... in my honest opinion! Save your money and see it on cable or something.

This is Phil Goes to the Movies, so you don't have to!

Avengers 2: Age of Ultron

Oh, man, I am excited...so excited! Its that time of year again, summer blockbuster season, and your favorite reviewer is here to give the low down on the big summer blockbusters. Well, the season gets a huge HULK sized kick off with this film, so lets start the review:

Avengers 2: Age of Ultron- Well, the first "Avengers" film was astounding! It's even rated it a 10/10 on my Final Verdict scores. Now, three years of seeing screen shots of the filming of the movie, rumors being throwing around on the internet, and then adding to the mix some awesome trailers. I was very much hyped for this film, and I think all of that might been my downfall. It's a Marvel movie even if it wasn't the greatest, I have noticed walking at least satisfied and got my moneys worth.

Plot- I'm not sure what the time frame is exactly in the world of the Avengers, but they have been busy since the big attack on New York City. Captain America calls the shots at S.H.I.E.L.D., and leads the team. After an opening battle scene, Bruce Banner and Tony Stark discover an A.I. inside the scepter from the first film. Things happen, boom Ultron, save the world, honestly, if I go any further I will spoil things.

The cast, has the same amazing chemistry they did in all the films, which I love the most, and I am so glad that wasn't lost or tarnished in anyway. The problem I have with this film is, well, it wasn't really that over the top. Sure, the fight between Hulk and Iron Man is really good, but the team fights, really seemed redundant at this point. Yes, they were fighting a horde of robots at the end of the movie, BUT WE HAVE SEEN THIS ALREADY... How is this DIFFERENT from fighting a horde of aliens like the first film? Plus, there was so much being thrown into the mix, I thought i needed to bring a pen and paper to take notes. This way I can go back if I missed any of the plot to read later!

Final Verdict- 8.5/10, Go, see the movie. I mean, its still a comic nerd's wet dream, but the big climax scenes become redundant quickly.

More movies to go, This is Phil Goes to the Movies, so you don't have to!

Furious 7

Ok, the block buster season has returned, and so have I, to review those movies we all wanna see. This is one of those franchises, which is considered a guilty pleasure to most, including myself, and some of the things you choose to over look because you're enjoying the action. This franchise is known for ignoring the laws of physics with their impossible stunts, but this time they went way too far! Lets just get to the review:

Furious 7- Ok, 15 years later, this franchise has become the "Harry Potter" of race car movies. Each time a new sequel is created they go with some new stunt or gimmick more impossible than the last movie. Well, they finally have gone too far, where the audience was laughing out loud at most of the shenanigans being performed during this movie. There was one scene, where Dom (Vin Disel) plays chicken with the main villain Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), and both cars smash into each other. Both drivers get out, simply crack their necks and other joints, and get ready to get into a fist fight. No air bags deployed and these guys don't even have a scratch on them. WHAT? NO!

Plot- There are literally TWO PLOTS going on at the same time in this movie. One is Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) is the older brother of the villain from the 6th movie, and he wants revenge for what happened to his younger brother. He is a special Ops, gone rogue, and he's targeting the main cast one by one. Then on top of that, a special agent played by Kurt Russel, approaches Dom (Vin Disel) to help recover a computer hacker by the name Ramsey. She has created the ultimate searching device, where you can find anyone anywhere from every device with a camera or video device. If Dom helps him, he will help Dom get Deckard. Huge plot hole is, Deckard is hunting them the whole movie, and every time they are doing something for Kurt Russel, Deckard is there to screw them up... so why not just get him? Why do you need to help Kurt Russel at all? FUCKING DUMB!

Now, i know action movies back then were ranging in different types of movies. This franchise would seem to apply to those movies to keep up with the mainstream. Nowadays, the only action movies are superhero movies, so I guess they figured all the characters, in this film, need to have super powers. A few examples, Dom's ability to have super human strength and impervious to any injuries, The Rock's super human strength and fast regeneration ability, and Michelle Rodriguez's ESP, and ability to resurrect a person by simply by telling a story how her memory had returned.

Final Verdict- 3.5/10, This film is laughable how serious they want you to take it, and they should've all died 5 times over from the impossible stunts they performed. The only saving grace was the nice send off to Paul Walker. This is an HBO movie at best! Save your money!


That's it for now, This is Phil Goes to the Movies, so you don't have to!

50 Shades of Grey

Hey, hey, hey, everyone it has been a bit since my last review, but I'm back baby! I had a request from an old friend to review this movie, and who am I to deny him an honest review. Well, lets get on with it:

50 Shades of Grey- Ok, in the laws of math a negative multiplied by another negative creates a positive. This cannot be used in the world of literature. For example, when a crap author inspires another crap author you will not get something amazing. Then again, there are these people out there who support this type of crap. Oh, well, I guess thats why i'm writing a blog and they are millionaires! Sigh!

Plot- Well, this billionaire playboy, super sexy model type man meets the very typical, innocent, sexy, librarian type woman. Now, right after they have an encounter he becomes interested with her. He then chases her out of lust, and he starts immediately controlling her over the phone. Later on he gives her an actual list of things he would want to do with her. Shes agrees to do some of the kinky acts, and the two proceed in acting out some intense S and M engagements.

Ok, huge problem right off the bat, the two main actors have ZERO chemistry. Now, I know this is inspired by Twilight, but that movie had something going on in the back ground to help push it along. For example, when will the vampires and werewolves begin fighting one another. If Bella and Edward have a half-breed baby, the vatican will come and kill them. I can't believe I used Twilight in a positive way, sigh. Anyway, this movie doesn't have that... it just has this relationship with sex. Whoopie DOO! I could have gotten the same out of watching soft core porn on Cinemax. Plus, no woman would allow a man to dominate them like this gentleman does so quickly. One scene, he calls her and finds out shes drinking and demands she stop immediately. No girl I know, would allow such a thing to happen. They would just hung the phone like nothing happened. Especially, with a guy they just met, oh wait hes filthy rich... never mind the woman would deal with it!

Final Verdict- 2/10 Freaking snore fest... I would say save your money and watch this on Netflix, which you pay a month payment, but you're still required to still sit there wasting your time!

This is Phil Goes to the Movies, so you don't have to!

American Sniper

Hey, everyone, how are we today? I been really busy taking care of a few things here and there for everyday issues. I was able to see this telling of a true story of an American hero. Honestly, I have noticed there are many of these true life stories being made lately. Anyway, was this movie a snore fest, or did it move me at all? Lets find out:

American Sniper- Well, I have been hearing such great things about this movie I had to check it out myself. It seems as if Hollywood isn't rebooting old movies, they are making true stories based on true events. This has to be the third one I have seen in the past month and a half. The other two being, "Unbroken" and "Wild". This one, however, didn't drag like the other movies did, and maybe because there were so many things happening. Seeing through the eyes of a sniper, and what was expected of them in modern warfare. It really was eye opening and jaw dropping.

The plot- You follow the true life story of Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper), during his time of service in Afghanistan. He earns the nick name "The Legend", due to his many confirmed kills. He served four tours of duty, which were all voluntary, and you have really respect this type of patriotism. Then you watch as he tries to desperately adjust to civilian life after his time in the war, such as being a husband, friend, and father to his children.

Bradley Cooper has come along way since his days of "Wedding Crashers" and "The Hangover". He has given an amazing performance, and he packed on 40 pounds of muscle for his role as a navy seal. I could honestly see him getting at least a nomination for this role. There was one pretty funny moment (not intentional), where his character and the wife were arguing, and he was holding the baby. It was really obvious the baby was a doll, and it was very distracting. When you see this movie, trust me you will see it. Plus, its been a long time since I have seen a movie, when it ended the movie theater was completely silent. This should give an idea of the impact this movie had on the audience.

Final Verdict- 9/10- Very inspiring film, great acting all around, a must see

This is it for now boys and girls, I will return with more reviews soon enough, this is Phil Goes to the Movies, so you don't have to!

Wild

Well, finally got to see the movie my lady wanted to see, and to be honest I had no idea what to expect. I usually don't run to see the "chick flicks", but I promise that being said it will not deter me from giving an honest review. Lets dive in shall we:

Wild- Another tale of a true story for this holiday movie season. The acting was really genuine from all the actors and actresses involved in this film. Reese Witherspoon gave an academy award winning performance. It was really outside of her usual acting range and a things she's never done-namely nudity! Laura Dern portrayal of the care free, loving life mother appeared very natural.

The Plot-  Cheryl Strayed (Reese Witherspoon), has decided to take a personal journey down the Pacific Crest Trail, which is over 1200 miles, and along her adventure she remembers all the things from her past good and bad. Each memory you see flash backs of her mother giving advice, or her abusive father. Another time you see her addiction to heroine, and how she cheated on her husband multiple times. She meets many people along the trail, in her search for her own divinity, as she is able to put her demons to bed.

Overall the movie, though intriguing, with plenty of character development, it came off slow sometimes. I mean, a bear attack or something would've sped things up a tad. The movie really didn't need to be 2 hours, but then again what do i know. Regardless, I can see myself watching this movie again. Its worth the price of admission, but then again it couldn't hurt to watch it on Netflix.

Final Verdict- 8/10- great acting and there were some memorial scenes.

That is it for now, some really great dramas coming out in the month of January, and I'll be there to review as many as I can before school starts again. This is Phil Goes to the Movies, so you don't have to!