The Maze Runner

Hello, everyone welcome back to another edition of Phil Goes to the Movies. I have been away for a bit, I traveled Europe for the last 3 weeks of August, and I returned to a hard semester awaiting me. Now, I have gotten things in order it was time to see some of the latest movies. The thing about this time of year, there are no big block busters, but this is when you see all the horror movies for Halloween, romantic comedies, or some independent films. Usually, you can find a diamond in the rough, but mostly you dip your hand in and pull out a hunk of shit. Lets see if this movie was worth it, or should it have been left in the maze to rot.
 

The Maze Runner- During the coming attractions this summer this movie was advertised, and it really intrigued me on the premise of the film. I went in truly not expecting to be blown away, but I was still eager to see what this film had entailed for me. To be honest, it really didn't disappoint at all. The young actors for the film really gave a great performance all around. They were believable and the storyline didn't insult my intelligence, like many other films have in the past.

The plot- You start off, with a teenager waking up frantically on a rising elevator. You as the audience are just as confused as he is as he reaches the top, where he is greeted by a bunch of other young men standing above him, and he steps out to find himself in an unknown land with amnesia. The main teenager, Thomas, is played by Dylan O'Brien, where some people will recognize him from the "Teen Wolf" series, and he does a decent job acting in this film. He learns the ways these young men have survived by working together building a village for themselves. The entire village is surrounded by super high cement walls. An entrance opens every morning, which gives these boys access to a mysterious maze, and in this maze, mechanical monsters lurk. Thomas is convinced that inside the maze is where he will find answers to everyone's questions.

The maze gives off a terrifying vibe, within itself becoming a monster, and the movie does a great job of pushing that point to the audience. Watching some scenes as the maze moves walls and sections, you need to be in amazing shape to run around and survive. Otherwise, its game over and you will get cut in half or simply crushed.

Final Verdict- 7/10, it was put together well, and delivered some entertaining scenes. It was a good mind screw from beginning to end, which i really enjoyed, and it moved a decent pace. Good movie, worth paying 10 dollars for it.

That's it for now everyone, I will have some more reviews before the block busters return this holiday season. This is Phil Goes to the Movies, so you don't have to!

They Came Together

Hey, everyone and welcome to another edition of Phil Goes to the Movies, and today we are going to tackle a movie genre I usually don't review. The infamous and formulaic romantic-comedy.... I mean I do watch them on occasion, and I don't see anything wrong with them. I just don't go and see them in the movies... because, well, the movies are expensive, and why go see something I already know the obvious ending too... Anyway, lets sit back as I review "They Came Together", lets dive in:

They Came Together- Ok, the girlfriend wanted to go see a romantic-comedy, so I said of course, lets do it! Well, getting ready to enjoy the movie with my lady, when this abomination begins. Basically, the plot, is two couples are on a double date. One fairly, new couple still very much in love, and a bored married couple. The new couple played by Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler are explaining how they met. Now, I have seen these two in previous films before and they are very funny people. Should be comedy gold, right? No! I get this awkward, telling of their story, and I think they were trying to be some sort of parody in the story. By making fun of stereotypical things in romantic-comedies, EXCEPT, it came off annoying and irritating.

My funny bone was no where near tickle... after watching this film for about 25 minutes, which was 25 minutes too long, my girlfriend and I looked at one another and said, "Lets get the fuck out of here." We went and got a refund and traded that in to see "Transformers 4: Age of Extinction." I'm literally writing this review while waiting in line for that movie.. hopefully that wont be a total suckfest like the movie we just left. Its been awhile since I have left the movie theater in the middle of a movie! FUCK THIS MOVIE! If you have read my blogs then you have witnessed me awarding a perfect 10/10 now feast your eyes on the FIRST EVER 1/10.

Final Verdict- 1/10, trying to be funny... only to come off like that annoying guy in the classroom you want to tell him to shut the fuck up! Don't see this movie!

I'll post my review on Transformers 4 tomorrow, until then this Phil Goes to the Movies, so you don't have to!

22 Jumpstreet

Hey boys and girls, your favorite movie reviewer is back in action giving you a heads up on the featured films this summer season. Well, I went to see another comedy, yes, the third comedy this season... DEAR GOD, PLEASE don't let the only funny parts be in the trailer like the last two films....Oh, could I actually get a great laugh at this movie, please?...sigh. Well, lets see what i thought of this movie, and did it make me want to literally jump into the street? Lets find out:

22 Jumpstreet- Well, HOOO-FUCKING- RAY, finally a comedy that made me laugh and feel like my money wasn't wasted at theaters. Ok, let me calm down, first off, there were a ton of funny scenes, and not all of them were in the trailer. Gee, maybe "Neighbors and "A Million Ways to Die in the West" should take notes and learn how NOT to do that!

The entire cast has returned for this sequel, which I have stated time and time again you need coming out the gates, and everyone has the same bad ass chemistry they had in the first movie. Nothing has changed. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum both play off each other extremely well. Plus, you have Ice Cube, who has been playing the same character for the last 20 years. You know the "I'm a pissed off black guy and don't fuck with me." persona, which he plays in every movie except for the "Are We There Yet?" movie franchise.

The plot literally is the exact same as the first film, and the movie pokes fun at this, and I thought that was kinda funny. The only difference is this time our heroes are in college, and Channing Tatum gets into the "in crowd" and Jonah Hill was ostracized. Problems ensue only for them to realize how they love being friends! Besides the film, being literally the same movie, the laughs are there, and there were a few times I couldn't breathe. Especially, the scene involving Jonah Hill's sexual experience and Ice Cube... I can't any further or I'll ruin it, but it was comedy gold!

They poked fun of making more sequels, and if they do I hope they are as good as the first two films.

Final Verdict- 9/10, Highly recommended, if you enjoyed the first film then you will love this one.

Well, that's if for now as more films come out this month, and I can't wait to review them all... this is Phil Goes to the Movies, so you don't have too!

Godzilla

Hey everyone welcome back to Phil Goes to the Movies, and today I am reviewing a nostalgic genre. The good old monster fights, destroying cities, and people running in a panic state. Oh, I loved those! Especially, "Godzilla" movies, and the cheesy special effects...oh, good times! Back in 1998, I went to see the Matthew Broderick version, and well it was a god damn disaster! This time I am hoping they got it right, lets find out as we dive into this review:



Godzilla- Well, went into this movie with high hopes... ok, first off I wanted to see Godzilla, not a movie about a soldier, played by Kick Ass himself, Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Following this guy around mostly, with his little love story...sigh!

The little kid inside me was like, "Time for monsters, yet?"

Movie replies, "Shut up! Watch the soldier! Monsters are coming!"

I only got to see glimpses of the monster until the final fight, which was the last 20 minutes of the movie, and by then I felt like it wasn't enough!

Bryan Cranston was shown to be this big character for the movie as he appears alot in the trailer. He has a few scenes, but again its mostly about the soldier... I felt like they were pushing Bryan Cranston in your face, and all the scenes from the fights in the last 20 minutes of the film to get you come see the movie! I guess they were trying to appeal to the "Pacific Rim" crowd, another shit movie, don't get me started on that one!


Final Verdict- 6/10, Honestly, wait until HBO or Netflix releases this, and save yourself your money! The characters were well acted, but i felt it needed something more... it was lacking! The final fight was amazing between the monsters, but it took too long for the movie to get there!


This is it for now, I kept this review short because there really wasn't much to say about this film. Next week "Maleficent" is coming out along with "A Million Ways to Die in the West", and I'll be there to review them. So this is Phil Goes to the Movies, so you don't have to!

Oculus

Hey everyone, welcome to another edition of Phil Goes to the Movies, moving right along with all the movies coming out this season. I went to see a horror film, now I have to say i usually don't go and see these types of movies in theaters. Now heres why, usually they are freaking terrible and I lose out on my hard earned money. Sometimes you get that rare gem, like "Insidious" or "The Conjuring", and sometimes you get crap... anyhow, Lets see if which side of the coin I felt this movie fell onto as we dive in:

Oculus- Well, I went into the movie looking to be scared, or at least get some cheap jump scares thrown at me. I was optimistic to say the least, and the movie starts off right away with children being terrorized in their house hold. They are running around away from a man with a gun, that turns out to be their father. Some evil presence is chasing them as well, and before you can really get a grasp on what is happening, BOOM! You are transported to ten years later following the brother and sister.

The sister, I'm assuming, is an antique dealer as she pulls some strings to get her hands on this strange antique mirror. While, it's being ready to fixed and shipped out, she approaches the mirror, and it shows her it has terrifying powers. Her brother is being released from a mental institute, from the events of the night ten years ago. She immediately wastes no time asking him if he would fulfill his promise to her. The sister reveals to the brother she found the mirror, and she needs help destroying it. The siblings go back to their childhood home, with the mirror, where they need to face the demons of their past, and relive the night of their parents' deaths. The sister has set up all of these precautions, to protect herself and her brother from this evil, energy vampire mirror. She goes on telling all this investigating she has done on the mirror. Discovering everyone that has owned the mirror has died some terrible way. She even has pictures to back up her claims. Of course, the brother doesn't believe her, but he apparently is suffering from suppressed memories.

Now, apparently the mirror can't be smashed, due to it having the ability to screw with your mind. It plays the ultimate mind games with you, controlling you to the point you where you will always fail in destroying it. The sister has designed this "fail safe" a 20 pound anchor with additional 20 pound weights on it, hanging from the ceiling. Its on a timer, so no matter what it will swing killing the mirror... FORESHADOWING AT ITS FINEST!

Now the plot starts out really solid.... Unfortunately, it gets stupid from here... instead of just destroying the mirror and being done with it, this girl wants to "out smart" this demonic mirror. She "feeds" it by allowing it to feed off a dog. The dog leaves the house never to return, and this makes the dog the smartest character in the movie! After gathering enough energy it begins to take over the minds of the siblings slowly. So smash it now right? Nope! They have realized over and over again its gaining more strength off of them, and deceiving them more and more. Smash it now, right? Nope, lets continue to play right into the mirror's hands! Fucking dumb!

The movie started off as a scary movie only to turn into a frustrating psychological thriller. Every time they had an opportunity to smash the mirror, they would do the exact opposite. I became bored half way through the movie as it was just beating around the obvious ending! Its been a long time when a movie ended and I can hear the people in the theater saying, "This sucks." or "Fuck this movie." Definitely wanted my money back after this shit show!

Final Verdict- 3/10- the lowest score ever given in the history of Phil Goes to the Movies. Super strong beginning, only to dive into a downward spiral of garbage, with a super crap, "gee, didn't see that coming" ending! Save your money, and watch this when it comes on cable. The only good thing to come out of this movie, was seeing the sister, a super hot redhead in a nighty.


Thats it for now, boys and girls, as I return to hopefully redeem my trust in movies on the next review. So many more movies coming out, and I will be there to give my honest reviews. For now this is Phil Goes to the Movies, so you don't have too!

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Welcome one and all to another edition of Phil Goes to the Movies, and I am here to review yet another superhero movie. Seems like there are going to be many superhero movies this year, and I'll be there to review them all. Today, I'm looking at "Captain America: The Winter Soldier". Did it deliver, or did I want to throw myself into traffic after watching it? Lets find out as we dive into this review.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier-  This would be the 3rd movie involving the characters post "The Avengers". Seeing how the last two were quite the lack luster, I was really hoping this one would hit home. The best part is the characters have already been established in a few movies already, so all the set up is out of the way. This means we get to the good stuff right away, and this movie wasted no time with the action. Right off the bat, Captain America and the Black Widow are teaming up to rescue some captured agents of shield from some terrorists. This scene was so well done, in my opinion, due to the chemistry between the two characters. One by one they take out the armed guards as they have some witty banter. This just made it appear more as if the characters were extremely comfortable in their element.

One thing this movie did right was it gave each character a chance to shine. I got a chance to see more development of the Black Widow as she showed she's incredible intelligent as well as a bad ass in combat. I especially loved how she kept trying to set up Captain America, romantically, when she kicking people across the room, and she doesn't even bat an eye lash in the process. The one thing I found comical was no matter what happened to her, her hair never became messed up. She was shot, thrown around, nearly blown to pieces, and countless other stuff, her hair never seemed to be out of place.... maybe thats her super power!

The newest edition to the line up of superheroes is Falcon played by Anthony Mackie. He really gave off that feeling he would do anything for a brother in arms. He was very likeable and again the chemistry between him and Chris Evans was believable and honest. I really like the look they gave him over the really cheesy comic verison.

The fight scenes in this movie were fantastic, and it really showed Captain America's superior fighting capabilities in hand to hand combat. The only thing that rubbed me the wrong way, and its really small.... but i gotta bring it up! Theres a scene in the movie where a bad guy is shooting a gatling gun at our hero, the captain. Now, Captain America is using the trademark shield to block the bullets and run at him. Soooo not a single bullet dared to hit something other than the shield... my point is his legs are completely unprotected. I'm not a combat expert, buuuut if a super solider was coming at me, blocking all my bullets with his shield. I would aim for the unprotected KNEE CAPS, just saying! I guess, when your name is thug #33, you don't think of these things.... oh well!

The villain, played by Sebastian Stan, his character was actually pretty bad ass as the Winter Soldier. It was nice to see that, post "The Avengers" we finally had a villain that could leave an impact. Now, I can forgive this guy, for being the villain in the movie, "The Covenant"... you are redeemed sir!

Final Verdict- 8.5/10, it had many moments of seeing the super heroes as just people, which was very well done. The action scenes were really well done, and the actors were all well chosen for their parts. I would definitely recommend seeing this in theaters, and this movie got me pretty pumped for the Avengers 2.

Well, thats all for now boys and girls, still have a plethora of movies i wanna see this coming blockbuster season. This is Phil Goes to the Movies, so you don't have too!

Frozen

Hey, boys and girls guess where i went on this extremely cold December night! Yes, its true i went to the movies.... i know, i know it wasn't hard to figure out, but welcome to another edition of Phil Goes to the Movies! This time around i dive into the newest Disney animated feature, and the question did it hold up to all the other Disney animated features before it? Or was it left out in the cold? Lets dive in shall we:


Frozen- I went to this movie not really sure what to expect to be completely honest, so i was open to see what disney had in store for me. First off, I want to say this movie was by far one of the most beautiful eye candy animated films i have seen in a long time. The way the ice appeared as if it was real, and the back grounds were jaw dropping. Disney seemed to stick with its roots with this feature, because the music was extremely emotional, and the women they cast to sing were astounding. The one song, "Let it go" you could just literally feel, the passion of a young girl allowing herself to be truly free after years of fearing her magical powers. The characters were all extremely likeable, ranging from the sisters to Christoph and his reindeer, and of course the loveable snow man, Olaf.

Unfortunately, heres where disney done fucked up... the movie felt extremely rushed. Nothing was really explained! Here's one thing i think should have been explained, WHERE THE HELL DID THE MAGICAL ICE POWERS COME FROM? This is never explained at all, you are just suppose to except it, and this young princess has to carry this heavy burden of these powers. After nearly killing her younger sister, the ice princess must live in seclusion, away from her younger sister and the world fearing what havoc her powers might inflict.

Another thing is, where was the villain in this movie? If you seen the movie, yes, we know who the villain is, but by the time that character is introduced to be the villain the movie is nearly over! In the beginning of the movie, they seemed to hint towards, the ice princess would become evil or she might unlock something evil with her powers. Unfortunately, nothing like that came up or remotely close to it, and it could have opened a whole another spectrum on the movie.

When the movie would actually try to push some character development or actual plot, it would explode into another song. Ok, the songs are performed amazingly, but they don't mean dick after they are done and the movie hasn't gone anywhere. Stop singing and tell me a freaking story... try explaining to me like i dunno... where the ice powers came from? How did the king know the rock trolls? Why didn't the rock trolls remember, the sister when she revisited them again later in years? Honestly, nothing is explained, its like you sit in a roller coaster, and you just fly through the movie.

"Hi, i have some questions for you, Movie," said Phil

"No, time! Lets sing!" replied the Movie.

"No, seriously, stop for a second!" Phil demands,"Where did the ice powers come from?"

"Here, look a funny snow man," says the Movie,"Listen to me sing again."

"Sigh, fuck it! Sure, sing again i guess."

Now, heres where some people are going to be like, "Really, Phil?" The snow man, Olaf, I liked the character he was funny and extremely likeable, BUT he didn't really add anything to the story. Honestly, the movie would have been fine without him... i mean don't get me wrong, the idea of the little guy melting made me want to jump in the movie and save him, myself.

Final Verdict- 7/10- The visuals and songs were unforgettable and breath taking, but the movie lacked a lot of things. Yes, it did show the empowerment of women and the sisters' love for one another. The movie felt like it was written by a 14 year old girl, that left out a lot explanations about plot points. I still say to go see the movie to experience on the big screen and stereo sound, but go during the day for the matinee.

This is it for now, next time i am going to conqueror and review the newest installment of the Hobbit coming out next week... This is Phil Goes to the Movies, so you don't have too!