Act of Valor Review

Having served in the armed forces as a U.S. Marine, I have a lot of admiration and respect for the men and women who serve our country. And for those who serve at the elite levels of our armed forces it takes a lot of sacrifice, pride and honor to do what they do. And the movie 'Act of Valor' tries to present that atmosphere.

It's a story about a group of elite Navy Seals, who take on a risky mission to rescue a kidnapped US agent. This type of mission isn’t your typical operations were the team is supported by an army. It's the type of job that is secretive and risky to the point it may be the final mission the team may experience which presents an emotional view of the sacrifices these few men take for the country, with their families, friends and their own will being.

Some of the Navy Seals in the movie

With real life Navy Seals acting in this movie; it presents a more realistic military presence, especially when the operations are in progress. It showcases a true sense of how an elite team would act in the field, to how these types of teams work together in the roles of leadership and support, to the struggles and risks each person undergoes when situations get ruff or when a team member are lost.

Overall the military presentation was superb to experience. Although we won’t see academy awards being presented for the acting abilities of the real life Navy Seals in the movie during non-military related scenes. They do deserve to be praised for their ability to present a strong military experience during the action scenes throughout the movie.

I give the ‘Act of Valor’ an Imp Score of 3 out of 4 smiles. Great entertainment worth watching!

Legend of the Shadowless Sword Review

Do you ever get tired of watching martial arts movies with males being the main heroes? I don't, but I do love to see more movies with female martial artists being the main heroes. And that is the presentation of the Legend of the Shadowless Sword.

The bodyguard played by So Yi Soon

Prince played by Seo-jin Lee

The story takes place in ancient times of Korea surrounding the last prince of Balhae Kingdom. Balhae was invaded by Khitan also called the Killer Blade army and executes the entire royal family to prevent further resistance, except one exiled prince still lives.

The Killer Blade army is sent to kill the last potential resistance. While a bodyguard named Yeon So-ha played by So Yi Soon is sent to find the exiled prince at all costs. Soon after a confrontation begins with the bodyguard, the local gang and the Killer army in a small village where a reluctant prince named Day Jung-hyun played by Seo-jinn Lee tries every means to avoid his destiny.

After being introduced to So Yi Soon’s martial arts talents in the TV show 'Warrior Baek Dong Soo', I expected this movie to be spectacular. And I got say her talents did not disappoint for her Martial Arts chorography, action scenes and acting was breathtaking to watch. It’s always inspiring to see women of great talent in the world of Martial Arts presenting entertainment with grace, beauty and skill leaving a final thought of never wanting to meet this lady in a back ally.

Overall, I truly enjoyed watching this movie. It had great action scenes, visuals and portrayed the setting of ancient Korea very well.  The Martials Arts chorography was awesome; that I don’t feel adding the supernatural effects to the action scenes was necessary for the movie was already entertaining. One other note,  If you are not into watching subtitles then you may not find this movie to be entertaining to watch.

I give 'The Legend of the Shadowless Sword' an Imp Score of 3 out of 4 smiles. Great entertainment worth watching.

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!

Movie Review: Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

Movie Review: Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

What makes a what if story unique is the creativity and imagination it can present. It can take a historical figure, icon or even a fictional character and tell a different story that is totally mind-boggling, surprising or down right weird. In the movie Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, the story takes the 16th US President an adds a ‘what if’ Abraham was actually a hunter. Not just a simple hunter but a vampire hunter before he became a U.S. President.

The story starts at the time of Abraham’s child hood during a dispute between a slave owner and Lincoln’s parents. Abe try’s to help a slave which gets him into trouble resulting in his father stepping in to help him. This action spirals into chaos resulting in Abraham’s mother dying which Abe witnesses the true nature of the killer that leads to him wanting to take revenge.

A what if story can sometimes be enjoyable or down right boring and weird. To me this movie was fun and entertaining to see the iconic figure being presented in a action and fictional story in the realm of supernatural. Given the story is a what if and an action movie with vampires, I did not expect much from the story. If you go in watching this movie to learn about Lincoln or for historical accuracy then expect to be disappointed. Don’t forget this a what if story about an iconic character and vampires with a lot of action scenes, blood and gore. If you enjoy this type of presentation and keep an open mind then you may find some sort of entertainment from the movie.

The movie presented a handful of 3D scenes that was ok. Nothing ground breaking, but you can tell they made an effort to apply the 3D, so see it in 3D if you can.

The cast did a decent job of presenting their characters especially Benjamin Walker who plays Abraham Lincoln. He did great job of portraying Lincoln and performed admirably in the action scenes. The one thing I probably didn't care for was the the story about vampires wanting a country of their own that tied to the civil war. It was a bit far fetched but then again its what can typically happen in a what if universe storeline, so I accepted it for what it was and focused my enjoyment with the action scenes.

Overall, I enjoyed this movie. It’s what I expected from a what if story and for an action movie with blood and gore with vampires.

I give Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter an Imp Score of 3 out 4 smiles. Great entertainment worth watching!

Brave Movie Review

Brave Movie Review
Directed by: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell

Short Film Presentation:
It's always exciting to watch a Pixar movie for you never  know what animated short will be presented prior to the main movie. 

The short film story focuses on three people; a little boy with his father and grandfather who one day go out fishing. I won't spoil it, so watch the movie to experience the short film.

I got say the short film was awesome! It was fun, creative and imaginative with heart fill moments to be remembered.

What is the movie 'Brave' about?
The story is about a girl named Merida voiced by Kelly Macdonald and her mother Elinor voiced by Emma Thompson that focuses on their relationship.  The mother just wants the best for her daughter so she focuses on preparing Merida to one day succeed her. While the daughter wants to adventure and be free to choose. It touches a lot of  emotional moments between a mother and daughter. Even exploring what a teenager would do to change things. And that's the moment when things become chaotic, emotional and heartwarming. I can go on but I don't want to spoil the story.

Brave's art style was beautiful and imaginative. The characters were unique and memorable including the cute bears!!!  However, I am not sure if the movie was worth watching in 3D. I didn't feel any of the scenes really used the 3D well enough to make me jump out of my seat. So watching it in non-3D won't be a big deal.  Compared to the likes of Monster Inc, UP, Wall-E and Finding Nemo. Brave was outstanding and should be or will be considered one of Pixars top masterpieces.

I give 'Brave' an Imp Score of 4 out of 4 Smiles (4 - Masterpiece worth seeing in theaters)

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!)