The Jungle Book

Disney is a juggernaut nowadays, one after another, their movies hit theaters making major money. Maybe, just maybe it's because they own almost everything...I'm kidding, no seriously, I'm pretty sure they do! Anyway, this newest version of this beloved story about a man-cub and his animal friends. Should this version been tossed into a jungle never to be seen, or was it worth the 25 dollars spent to see it in 3D? Lets find out:

The Jungle Book- I believe this is the 3rd or 4th retelling of the story of Mowgli, the small boy raised by wolves in the jungle. Plus, his friend and mentor a panther named Bagheera voiced by Ben Kingsley. Not the only big name voice acting in this film, we have Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Idris Elba, and Christopher Walken. Technology has really come a long way because all of these animals look so real. The young boy and new comer Neel Sethi, played a very good part as Mowgli. He was very likable, and meshed well with the other voice actors.


Plot- During the worst drought the jungle has ever experienced, the animals have called for a truce until the rivers return. When all the animals are congregating around the final water hole, the most feared animal of the jungle appears, Shere Khan. The beast swears a man-cub will grow up to become a man, and all men are evil and need to be eradicated. He promises he will hunt down Mowgli to kill him once the rivers return. Afraid Shere Khan will hurt the members of the wolf pack, Mowgli decides to leave to protect them. Bagheera volunteers to guide him back to the world of man, so Shere Khan cannot reach him.

Honestly, I really enjoyed this take on the story, by spending more time with the other animals. You really got a chance to see some great character development. Unfortunately, you don't see much of Kaa the HUGE python or Louie the monkey king, but they do get some great scenes though. The movie is packed with emotion, great action sequences, and plenty of humorous moments. You do get to see a much more evil side of Shere Khan, which I think made him a far better and more intense villain of the film. Now if I could I would have kept one of the wolf cubs, freaking loved them!

Final Verdict- 8.5/10, a great movie, enjoyable characters, actually worth the 3D price. Highly recommend for a date movie.

In two weeks, a big box office movie hits theaters, Captain America 3: Civil War, and I am hoping it lives up to the hype. This is Phil Goes to the Movies, so you don't have to!

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Hey, everyone, I'm back to review all the big blockbusters this year. Guess what...Yours truly was invited to see a special screening of this movie, last night, even before the midnight showing premiering tonight. I am here to answer the question everyone is asking...Does this movie suck?  Lets dive into this review and find out:

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice- Well, it has been years of hatred towards this movie, as far back when the lead actors were revealed. On going jokes and mean internet comments galore. This movie is DC's way of catching up to the massive momentum Marvel has going for them in Hollywood.

Plot- Ok, there are like 5 plots going on at once in this movie. There's the Batman segment setting him up. Then the continuation of the "Man of Steel" following the huge battle in Metropolis. Followed by setting up Wonder Woman, and then there's the actual fight between Batman and Superman. Finally, the final plot the set up for the obvious Justice League movie in the future. Whew... Yeah, you really have no time to get any character development. Yes, its true we really don't need such a thing because we should all know these iconic characters already. Still, its important for a story telling point... this movie felt like I was on a roller coaster, and just zipping through it, no time to stop and really enjoy the good parts.

There are going to be many people eating crow about Ben Affleck playing Batman. Kevin Smith was right, Mr. Affleck was a great choice. Gal Gadot, also got tremendous flack for being cast as Wonder Woman, but she played a strong, enticing part... much like I would believe the real Wonder Woman would act. Then of course Henry Cavill, as Superman... still is a emotionless void. He could be replaced and I believe no one would notice honestly. Jesse Eisenberg, i wanted to reach into the screen and choke this moron... he was terrible...enough said.

Was it a great movie? It was good, but I was wishing it another movie most of the time.

Final Verdict- 5.5/10, Probably save your money on this one, or just go and watch the last 45 minutes of the movie.

Many more movie coming out this year, and Ill be there this time to review them all. This is Phil Goes to the Movies, so you don't have to.

Deadpool

There are a lot of highly anticipated movies coming to the big screen this year, and this is one of those movies I was eager to watch. This being the first rated R superhero movie, in a long time, since the "Punisher" starring Dolph Lundgren back in the 80's. Anyway, lets get to the review for the movie about the merc with the mouth:

Deadpool- This character wasn't always the popular choice of everyone when he first hit the comic scene something years ago. In fact, he only became extremely popular a few years ago, when he received his own comic title, and new writers focusing on being a funny comic. Readers responded well to this change, making the merc with the mouth instant stardom with cosplayers and comic book fans alike. Years ago, fans were extremely excited when it was revealed Ryan Reynolds would be playing the character in "X-MEN Origins: Wolverine", which was a huge let down, and fans were outraged when the one thing that makes Deadpool great was removed, his mouth.

Plot- This is origin story about how Deadpool aka Wade Wilson obtained his powers, and became what he is today. He is a mercenary for hire, who meets a woman he completely falls for, and everything appears to be going his way. Until, he is diagnosed with terminal cancer in multiple vital organs of his body. Deadpool is approached by a man stating he can cure the cancer, and desperate to become cured for the woman he loves, Wade goes through the process. Unfortunately, it has side effects to his physical appearance, and outraged by this, he vows revenge on the person that did this to him known as Francis.

This movie followed the exact formula that makes the Deadpool character amazing in every aspect of the word. The humor is spot on and Ryan Reynolds does the character justice this time around. There were some parts of the movie, where they poked fun at the first deadpool or green lantern, and it was like Ryan Reynolds mocking his movie mistakes with the fans. If you're a fan of the superhero genre this is a movie you MUST see in theaters. A warning though, do NOT bring your children to see this movie, because it is not your neighborhood spider-man type of movie. Violence and some sex scenes, this was made for the true fans not the family.

Final Verdict- 10/10, a must see in theaters, this time the character got his just desserts.

More anticipated movies coming out this year and I will see them all. This is Phil Goes to the Movies, so you don't have to!

Kung fu Panda 3

Your favorite reviewer is back, this time I am taking a crack at the newest installment of the Kung fu Panda trilogy. Lets face it, when it comes to animated movies created for all ages, Dreamworks really gets it right. Unfortunately, they do go a little too far with their movies such as, "Shrek 4". Did this movie franchise suffer the same fate? lets find out:

Kung fu Panda 3-

I absolutely loved the first movie, the voice actors were perfect for their characters, and each one was lovable and stood out. All kinds of emotions were felt watching that film, and when the second one was released, again I felt all of the same things I did as the story continued. To be honest, I felt the same thing again with this newest installment. All of the same voice actor return, with newer actors to the mix. The animation is suburb and it hits all the right things for a successful trilogy.

The plot- Po has taken his final test under Master Shifu as student, where Master Shifu instructs Po, he must now become the teacher, so he can reach the next level of Kung fu. Po has an incredibly difficult time taking on the role as teacher. Continuing from the second movie, a new panda arrives in Po's village, which turns out to be his biological father, Li Chan, voice acted by Bryan Cranston. Po leaves with both Li and his adopted father, Mr. Ping, to the secret village of the remaining pandas. Meanwhile, a villain has emerged from the spirit world, known as Kai, played by J.K Simmons. He is obsessed with defeating all the masters of the world and the pandas to gather their Chi, so he may become the most power kung fu master ever. Now, Po must step up as the Dragon Warrior to teach the pandas to defeat Kai.

The movie has everything you could want in an action animated film. The humor is still there, as the first two films, and the emotions are there between father and son, and between biological father and son. All of the pandas are just as likable as Po. The film really pulls the trilogy together as it comes full circle. The movie suggests this will be the last one, and it should be, as much as it pains me to say this.... because it ended so well. I hope Dreamworks doesn't become greedy and do a fourth one. Perfect example of beating a dead horse is "Shrek 4".

Final Verdict- 7.5, Definitely worth seeing on a date or taking your kids to see it. Beautiful animation and great characters for everyone to enjoy.

More movies coming along, as I near my 50th review.... more reviews to come. This is Phil Goes to the Movies, so you don't have to!

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!