Battleship Review

Although the movie ‘Battleship’ was released a few months ago, I had a chance to see it on the big screen and wanted to share why I bothered to see it. The main reason I watched this movie was to see the Mighty Mo in action. If you are not familiar with the U.S. Missouri nicknamed the Mighty Mo, It is one of four Iowa class battleships and the last battleship to be built during World War 2 to support the Pacific campaigns. The Mighty Mo was famous for the Japanese surrender was signed on September 2, 1945 on the deck of the Missouri, anchored in Tokyo Bay, near the city of Yokohama, Japan.                                                                                                 

Watching the movie was more a personal experience, for I had a chance to see the ship twice in my life. The first time was when I was kid. I had a chance to tour it when it was decommissioned. The second time was when the ship was reactivated during the Persian Gulf War when I was serving as a U.S. Marine. It was truly a breathtaking experience to see a historical battleship sailing the seas once again. It’s currently decommissioned in Pearl Harbor as a museum for all to visit. If you enjoy history, I recommend taking sometime to see Pearl Harbor and the Mighty Mo. We may never see such a great ship sailing the seas again for modern times no longer require such powerful ships.

Taylor Kitsch as LT. Alex Hopper

The story begins with an international naval war exercise held each year around Hawaii. During patrol, a set of destroyers encounter an alien presence in the open waters. The aliens came in response to a signal we sent in to space to identify potential life. However, the aliens didn’t come to respond directly but for another reason. And through hostile actions the aliens isolate a certain area of Hawaii with a force field dome separating the fleet, leaving only destroyers to fight an overwhelming threat. Eventually a battle escalates in the dome destroying the isolated ships and killing Stone Hopper forcing his brother LT. Alex Hopper played by Taylor Kitsch (John Carter) to take action using a decommissioned battleship ‘The Mighty Mo’.

Taylor Kitsch did a good job of making us believe he was a Navy officer. He presented a stubborn, know it all, risk taker LT. Who didn't want to be in the Navy, but had to prove something to his older brother Stone Hopper played by Alexander Skarsgard. They had a few other known actors like Rihanna who played a petty officer with a gung-ho personality. She did a decent job and presented some entertaing action moments. Brooklyn Decker who played Samantha Shane played a love interest to Alex Hoper provided great eye-candy and delivered a decent performance that extended the excitment on shore.

Overall, I didn’t expect much from the store line, especially from what I saw in the trailers regarding alien encounters. So I kept an open mind and enjoyed the CG presentations of the Mighty Mo and the creative ship to ship battle scenes which I enjoyed. This movie was mostly over the top action that provided great visual entertainment.

I give ‘Battleship’ an Imp Score of 2 out of 4 smiles.

Movie Review: The Vow

The feelings of lossing someone you dearly love is one of the hardest emotions to overcome.  Imagine what the emotional impact would be if your love one lost their memory and forgot about you. I can't even begin to understand how that must feel emotionally and that is the main topic of the movie 'The Vow'.

Based on a true story, it's about two couples who fall in love that express their vows upon marriage. One evening of fun turns in to tragedy that leads into a car acccident that causes severe head trauma to the wife 'Paige' played by Rachel McAdams. After the wife recovers, the husband 'Leo' played by Channing Tatum finds out his wife has no memory of the life they shared including who he is. She can only recall memories at a certain point in her life before they met. And with Paiges parents invovled in her recovery, it brings more tensions for Leo and Paige, leading to heart breaks, teary eyed and frustrating moments, unfolding to an outcome that was lost forever.

The match up with Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum was superb. I felt their onscreen presence showed a strong connection and drew out both their talents well. I admit this movie was a tear jerker. And yes this movie made me cry for there are scenes so emotional that it brought feelings I struggled with when I lost my love one.

Overall, this movie was a sad story and to have it be based on a true story made me wish for a happy ending. However, no matter how the movie ended, I personally don't know what would be more emotional, to have someone you love alive with no memories or to have someone no longer around in life.

I give 'The Vow' an Imp Score of 3 out of 4 smiles. Great entertainment worth watching!

Prometheus Review

Prometheus Movie Review
Director: Ridley Scott
Writers: Jon Spaihts, Damon Lindelof
Prometheus Movie Trailer

What is this movie about? Prometheus is about two scientists, Elizabeth Shawd played by Noomi Rapace and Charlie Holloway played by Logan Marshal Green who discovers mysterious clues left with ancient cultures of earth that guide them to a distant planet for answers about the origins of human kind. Upon this finding a corporation decides to fund the project to unravel the truth suported by David played by Michael Fassbender and Meredith Vickers played by Charlize Theron.

The movie starts off slow and a tad bit confusing for you may wonder why know one was acquainted after the crew wakes up from deep sleep upon arriving to the planet. With a project this big, you would think some sort of orientation would have taken place to explain who you would being work with. But the crew was presented more like a last minute attempt. I guess I was OK with it, but a little bit confusing to see no one had any idea who was who.

When the crew starts exploring the planet they discover ruins with a network of tunnels to chambers laid out similar to the egg chambers in Aliens, except they are not eggs. This discovery begins a cycle of events that begin a chain of chaos and unravels the true reasons why the project was funded in the first place.

Cockpit scene in 'Alien'

Cockpit scene in 'Prometheus'

As a fan of the Alien trilogy, except for movies 3 and 4. I noticed similarities to the ship design the scientists were exploring in Prometheus trailer to the ship in the movie Alien, especially the cockpit scenes in both movies. Both scenes presented a similar setting and design. Making me feel there was some sort of connection between the two movies. Upon watching this movie I was looking for answers as to how the two was related. I half to say, I wasn't to disappointed on what I found out. You just need to watch the movie to find your answers.

Overall, without spoiling the movie, its a thrill ride that leaves you with more questions and presents you with unknown and familiar alien encounters that ends up making you more curious. Ridley Scott and the cast delivered an entertaining and enjoyable mystery thriller that left me pondering over theories. One thing I was happy about was finding some closure regarding the alien creatures in the Alien Trilogy.

 I give Prometheus an Imp Score of 3 out 4 smiles (3 - Great entertainment worth watching!)

21 Jump Street Movie Review

I remember the original TV show '21 Jump Street' with Johnny Deep, Richard Grieco and Peter Deluise. It was a cop show that had many girls including my girlfriend falling for Johnny Deep, that she and her friends made it a weekly ritual to watch the show. I for one lost interest, but it was an ok show for its day. The new presentation of 21 Jump Street is more comedic and fun movie, that keeps the original theme of young looking, problem cops who are reassigned to 21 Jump Street take undercover assignments in high school and college.

Instead of presenting a police squad like the TV show, the movie focuses on two individual high school kids. Schmidt played by Jonah Hill and Jenko played by Channing Tatum. They end up become buddies during the police academy, and since they only cause trouble they both get reassigned to 21 Jump Street.

The pairing of Tatum and Hill was awesome! Since they are both distinct individuals with diverse talents, the team up made the movie unique, fun and entertaining. The comedy and action was laid out well and was interesting to watch the two actor’s transition into cops. Then relive their high school years in reverse roles during their undercover assignment. Also seeing Jonah Hill slimmed down was very surprising and motivating. I am so used to his older look in Superbad and Moneyball; it took a bit of adjusting too. However, Jonah's new look is an inspiration for it shows his determination and hard work.

The cameo of the original 21 Jump street crew was awesome. They did a great job of hiding the cameos, that when they finally appeared it delivered a more surprising presentation. The only part I didn't like was their end scene. If the goal of the scene was to pass the torch, then I guess that segment worked for what it was.

Overall, the new presentation of 21 Jump Street with actors Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill was every bit entertaining, humorous, with sadness and some fun action moments. This is a fun and great movie to watch, especially if your fan of Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, and I am for these two actors are the next generation of talented souls worth watching.

I give 21 Jump Street an Imp Score of 3 out 4 smiles (3 - Great entertainment worth watching!)