"The Equalizer 2" Review by Tim Hellman

'THE EQUALIZER 2': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

A sequel to the 2014 hit action flick based on the 1980s TV series (of the same name). Denzel Washington returns as Robert McCall, a retired CIA Black Ops operative, turned vigilante, who this time wants revenge for the murder of a friend. The sequel was once again directed by Antoine Fuqua (a usual partner of Denzel's, many times now), and Richard Wenk also returned to write the screenplay. The movie costars Pedro Pascal, Ashton Sanders, Jonathan Scarfe, Melissa Leo and Bill Pullman. It's gotten mixed reviews from critics, and it's projected to be a modest hit at the Box Office as well (the first one was a big one). I really enjoyed the third act, but not so much the first two.

Robert McCall (Washington) is now working as a Lyft driver, who sometimes acts as a vigilante still (especially when he picks up a woman who's been assaulted by a group of young privileged white men). Then one day Robert learns that his good friend Susan Plummer (Leo) has been murdered. He of course investigates the crime, and learns that an old associate was involved. McCall of course then returns to his violent vigilante ways full time, until revenge is accomplished.

The movie is really slow-paced and uninvolving (at least in my opinion) for more than fifty percent of the film. Then it picks up though, at about the beginning of the third act. There are some entertaining and interesting moments before that, but I was mostly bored with the movie until the big climax. The climax is pretty cool though, and there's some awesome Denzel action hero moments in it. The scene where Denzel gets revenge for the assaulted young woman (early in the film) is pretty cool too. It's not as good as the original definitely though, or as entertaining as most Fuqua/Washington action flicks are.

"The Dark Tower" Review by Tim Hellman

'THE DARK TOWER': Two and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

A fantasy-western adapted from Stephen King's novel series (of the same name), and it's actually a continuation of that story (with a planned TV series to follow). The film tells the story of an 11-year-old boy that's transported to another dimension, where he meets a gunslinger on a quest to reach the 'Dark Tower' (which will help him save all of humanity). The movie stars Idris Elba, Tom Taylor and Matthew McConaughey. It's received mostly negative reviews from critics, and it's performed modestly at the Box Office so far. I found it to be pretty disappointing as well, and mostly a bore.

Jake Chambers (Taylor) is an 11-year-old boy who's able to see into another dimension, called Mid-World. His parents believe his visions are a form of mental illness though, and they try to get him professional help for it. While being pursued by demons from this other world, Jake is transported to the other dimension. There he meets a gunslinger (Elba) on a quest to reach the 'Dark Tower', which is believed to have the power to save all of humanity. An evil sorcerer (McConaughey) is also trying to reach the tower though, for his own evil purposes.

While the film is well cast (you can't get much better than Elba and McConaughey as your two leads), it's also very poorly directed and edited. The film just feels like a mess, and it's never very interesting or involving. Parts of it are amusing though, and some of the effects are cool, but it seems like the book series (which I haven't read) deserved a much better film adaptation. Hopefully the upcoming TV series is much better.

"The Magnificent Seven" Review by Tim Hellman

'THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN': Four Stars (Out of Five)

Director Antoine Fuqua's remake of the classic 1960 western, of the same name; which was in turn a remake of the 1954 Japanese epic 'SEVEN SAMURAI'. It once again tells the story of seven outcast gunmen, that band together to defend a poor town from a ruthless industrialist. The script was written by Richard Wenk (a veteran action film director, of movies like 'THE EXPENDABLES 2' and 'THE EQUALIZER') and Nic Pizzolatto (who also created the popular TV series 'TRUE DETECTIVE', and wrote all of it's episodes); it's based on a screenplay by the great Akira Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto and Hideo Oguni. The film stars Denzel Washington (in his third collaboration with Fuqua), Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke (in his third collaboration with Fuqua as well), Byung-hun Lee, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Vincent D'Onofrio, Martin Sensmeier, Haley Bennett and Peter Sarsgaard. It's received mostly positive reviews from critics (although not great ones) and it's done pretty well at the Box Office (but not great). I think it's a fairly good western remake (but not a great one).

The movie is set in 1879, in a small mining town called Rose Creek. The town is taken over by a corrupt businessman, named Bartholomew Bogue (Sarsgaard), and his men; and when some of the townspeople try standing up against him, they're slaughtered. Emma Cullen (Bennett), who's husband (Matt Bomer) was murdered, rides to the closest town, with her friend Teddy Q (Luke Grimes), looking for help. They're they meet a warrant officer named Sam Chisolm (Washington). When Cullen offers Chisolm a lot of money, and informs him that Bogue is the culprit, he reluctantly agrees to help her. Chisolm then sets out in finding six other gunmen to help him.

The movie is entertaining, full of colorful characters (and good performances), and it also has some pretty spectacular actions scenes; one shootout is really intense (and well done). The movie is definitely entertaining; there's a few slow moments, but there's not too much really to complain about. Still, despite all it's strengths, it left me wanting a little more. It's definitely not a classic, like either of the films it's based on (or 'THREE AMIGOS'), but it is a pretty good western flick.

Official Stills for the Upcoming Remake of "The Magnificent Seven"

Columbia Pictures and MGM recently released stills for the upcoming remake of "The Magnificent Seven". The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) and stars Denzel Washington, Chris Platt, Ethan Hawke, Peter Sarsgaard, Vincent D' Onofrio, Byung-Hun Lee, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo and Martin Sensmeier.

"The Magnificent Seven" hits theaters on September 23rd.

Plot Synopsis:

Director Antoine Fuqua brings his modern vision to a classic story in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures’ and Columbia Pictures’ The Magnificent Seven. With the town of Rose Creek under the deadly control of industrialist Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard), the desperate townspeople employ protection from seven outlaws, bounty hunters, gamblers and hired guns – Sam Chisolm (Denzel Washington), Josh Farraday (Chris Pratt), Goodnight Robicheaux (Ethan Hawke), Jack Horne (Vincent D’Onofrio), Billy Rocks (Byung-Hun Lee), Vasquez (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier). As they prepare the town for the violent showdown that they know is coming, these seven mercenaries find themselves fighting for more than money

"Sausage Party" Review by Tim Hellman

'SAUSAGE PARTY': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

The first R-rated CGI animated movie! The film comes from the vulgar minds of Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Kyle Hunter, Ariel Shaffir and Jonah Hill (who all co-wrote the movie); and it was directed by Greg Tiernan (a veteran director of the animated kids' TV series 'THOMAS & FRIENDS') and Conrad Vernon (who also co-directed 'SHREK 2', 'MADAGASCAR 3' and 'MONSTERS VS. ALIENS'). The film stars the voice talents of Rogen, Hill, Kristen Wiig, Michael Cera, Nick Kroll, Edward Norton, Bill Hader, Salma Hayek, Danny McBride, James Franco, Paul Rudd and many others. It tells the story of several sentient beings, that are food living in a grocery store. One sausage sets out to learn the truth, about their deadly fate. It's of course a raunchy adult-themed spoof, on popular CGI kids' movie blockbusters. The film's received mostly good reviews from critics, and it's also performed surprisingly well at the Box Office (although exit poll rankings haven't been that positive). I think it's somewhat clever and funny, but not nearly as much so as Rogen's, and company's, best.

The food, living in Shopwell's Grocery Store, all believe that when they're purchased, they'll go to a heavenly place; and live happily ever after. This is something they've been taught, all of their short little lives. Just when a sausage, named Frank (Rogen), and his girlfriend, a hot dog bun named Brenda (Wiig), are about to leave the store; a traumatized honey mustard bottle (McBride), who was previously bought and returned, commits suicide. This causes Frank and Brenda to fall out of their grocery cart. Frank then sets out to learn the full truth about their fate.

The movie is somewhat funny, but it does seem a lot like a 'one-joke comedy'; it's a clever idea, but almost all of the jokes revolve around the same gimmick (with a lot of vulgarity thrown in as well). The animation is well done; and there is some insightful criticism on religion, and how people mostly prefer to believe what they want to believe (instead of hearing the harsh negative reality). Still, Rogen says his idea for the film was based on the concept 'what if our food had feelings'! Our food does have feelings, because most of it comes from sentient animal life! He could have made an honestly insightful movie, with clever comedy as well, about how immoral (and unhealthy) the average human diet is. Some people just need to believe what they want to believe though (like obviously Seth Rogen does); and they refuse to listen to the harsh negative reality.

"The Shallows" Review by Tim Hellman

'THE SHALLOWS': Four Stars (Out of Five)

The new 'killer shark' horror flick, starring Blake Lively (Mrs. Ryan Reynolds!). The film tells the story of a surfer, that's stalked by a great white shark; just 200 yards from shore. It was written by Anthony Jaswinski, and directed by Jaume Collet-Serra; who's also helmed such other horror flicks as 2005's 'HOUSE OF WAX' remake, and 2009's 'ORPHAN' (as well as three Liam Neeson action movies). The film has done surprisingly well at the Box Office, and it's also gotten mostly positive reviews from critics (and audiences) as well. I loved it.

Lively plays Nancy; a medical student, that decides to go surfing at the same remote Mexican beach that her mother did, many years earlier, when she was pregnant with Nancy. Her mother recently passed away, and Nancy is thinking about dropping out of school (because of it). While surfing, Nancy is attacked by a great white shark (just 200 yards from shore). She then becomes stranded on a reef, with a wounded leg, where the shark continues to relentlessly stalk her.

The movie is one of those classic survival horror flicks. It's cheesy (at times) and a little unbelievable, but it's still suspenseful; and a hell of a lot of fun! Lively delivers a great performance in it, and I enjoyed Collet-Serra's stylistic direction (the movie always looks beautiful). Even though it seems like it could be a rather slow-paced film, it never is (it pretty much flies by). I'd definitely recommend it.

First Stills and Clips for the Upcoming Thriller "The Shallows"

Columbia Pictures recently released the first stills and clips for their upcoming film "The Shallows". The film is the latest from director Jaume Collet-Serra (Non-Stop, Orphan) and stars Blake Lively.

"The Shallows" hits theaters on June 29th.

Plot Synopsis:

In the taut thriller The Shallows, when Nancy (Blake Lively) is surfing on a secluded beach, she finds herself on the feeding ground of a great white shark. Though she is stranded only 200 yards from shore, survival proves to be the ultimate test of wills, requiring all of Nancy’s ingenuity, resourcefulness, and fortitude.

"The Shallows": The Beginning - Film Clip

"The Shallows": The Line Up - Film Clip

"The Shallows" : Paradise - Film Clip

First Stills for the Upcoming Action Film "The 5th Wave"

 

Columbia Pictures recently released first stills for the upcoming action film. "The 5th Wave". The film stars Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson Ron Livingston, Maggie Siff, Alex Roe, Maria Bello, Maika Monroe and Liev Schreiber.

"The 5th Wave" hits theaters on January 15th. 

Plot Synopsis:

In the new film The 5th Wave, four waves of increasingly deadly attacks have left most of Earth decimated. Against a backdrop of fear and distrust, Cassie (Chloë Grace Moretz) is on the run, desperately trying to save her younger brother. As she prepares for the inevitable and lethal 5th wave, Cassie teams up with a young man who may become her final hope - if she can only trust him.

"The Final Girls" Review - Written by Tim Hellman

'THE FINAL GIRLS': Four Stars (Out of Five)

A horror spoof/homage, to classic 80s slasher flicks of yesteryear; most obviously the 'FRIDAY THE 13TH' series. It tells the story of a teen girl, and her friends, who are sucked into the world of a 1980s slasher movie, costarring the girl's deceased mother; a former popular scream queen. The movie was directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson (who also directed the 2011 stoner-comedy sequel 'A VERY HAROLD & KUMAR 3D CHRISTMAS') and it was written by M.A. Fortin and Joshua John Miller. It stars Taissa Farmiga, Malin Akerman, Adam DeVine, Thomas Middleditch, Alexander Ludwig, Nina Dobrev, Alia Shawkat, Angela Trimbur, Tory N. Thompson, Chloe Bridges and Dan B. Norris. With the exception of it being a censored vision (shamelessly rated PG-13), it's a lot of fun and a decent throwback.

Max Cartwright (Farmiga) recently lost her mother, Amanda (Akerman), in a car accident. Amanda was an aspiring actress, who was once a popular scream queen; known for the 80s cult classic slasher film 'CAMP BLOODBATH'. Three years after her mother's passing, Max reluctantly agrees to attend a special screening; of 'CAMP BLOODBATH', and it's first sequel 'CAMP BLOODBATH 2: CRUEL SUMMER', with her friends. During the movie, a couple drunk viewers accidentally cause a theater fire. Max slits a hole in the theater screen, for her and her friends to escape through, but they instead magically enter the world of the movie. Max gets to meet her mother's character, inside the film world, but she also meets Billy Murphy (Norris); the notorious masked killer, of the film series. The group must find a way to stay alive, and defeat Billy, in order to get back to the real world safely.

The film is funny, and a brilliant homage to 80s slasher flicks; having grown-up on horror movies, like 'FRIDAY THE 13TH', I absolutely loved it! The acting is all great (especially DeVine and Middleditch), the directing is perfectly fitting (and campy) and the screenplay is witty, meta and cool; it's so much fun. There's also a surprising amount of well-done drama, involving the mother/daughter relationship; one of the writer's fathers (actor Jason Miller) also died on screen, in the classic horror film 'THE EXORCIST'. So the movie pretty much has it all. My only major complaint, is that it's PG-13 (something I didn't realize, until I got about a third of the way into it); and therefore it has no nudity, sex, bad language (except very briefly) or gore (all major necessities in classic slasher flicks). This movie could have been a truly great cult classic (just like the movies it's trying to emulate), if the producers (and studio backing it) actually had some balls! It's still a fun movie though; especially if you love horror flicks. It's just kind of like watching one that's edited for TV!

"Pixels" Review - Written by Tim Hellman

'PIXELS': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

Adam Sandler's big budget sci-fi comedy bomb; about an alien invasion, in the form of classic 80s 8-bit video game characters. Sandler stars in the movie, with his buddy Kevin James; along with Josh Gad, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Monaghan, Brian Cox, Sean Bean and Jane Krakowski. It was directed by Chris Columbus (who's famous for directing such popular hits as 'ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING', 'MRS. DOUBTFIRE', the first two 'HOME ALONE' films and the first two 'HARRY POTTER' movies) and it was written by Tim Herlihy (Sandler's buddy, who also co- wrote 'BILLY MADISON', 'HAPPY GILMORE', 'THE WEDDING SINGER', 'THE WATERBOY' and other hit Sandler flicks) and Timothy Dowling (who also co-wrote the Sandler film 'JUST GO WITH IT'). It was based on the 2010 2- minute French animated short, of the same name, by Patrick Jean. It's not nearly as bad as the reviews make it out to be, or the film's Box Office; it's actually pretty entertaining (for an Adam Sandler movie, at least).

The movie takes place sometime in the near future, when aliens have misinterpreted a video feed, from earth, featuring classic 80s 8-bit video games, as a declaration of war. So they attack our planet, in the form of characters from those games. Sandler, James, Dinklage and Gad all play former child video game whizzes, from the 80s, who now need to use their skills to combat the alien invasion. They're given three specific game challenges, in which, upon defeat, they'll lose a life (and someone is abducted). When they lose all three lives, earth will be destroyed. James's character is also the President of the United States (for some bizarre reason).

The movie is a fun 80s throwback; if you grew up with these arcade games, you should get a kick out of it. The effects are just OK, and it's not especially funny, but it is entertaining; it's a fun summer popcorn flick, at least. It's much better than Sandler's usual slapstick garbage, especially the stuff he's been putting out lately, and it's nice to see him branching out, and trying different things. This is at least somewhat different; he's never done an action movie before. It's also a good kids' film, and it's not too dumbed-down; especially for an Adam Sandler movie!

Official Stills for the Upcoming Family Adventure Comedy "Goosebumps"

Columbia Pictures recently released stills for their upcoming film "Goosebumps". The film stars Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush, Ryan Lee and Amy Ryan.

"Goosebumps" hits theaters on October 16th.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/GoosebumpsMovie

Plot Synopsis:

Upset about moving from a big city to a small town, teenager Zach Cooper (Dylan Minnette) finds a silver lining when he meets the beautiful girl, Hannah (Odeya Rush), living right next door, and makes a quick friend in Champ (Ryan Lee). But every silver lining has a cloud, and Zach’s comes when he learns that Hannah’s mysterious dad is in fact R.L. Stine (Jack Black), the author of the bestselling Goosebumps series. As Zach starts learning about the strange family next door, he soon discovers that Stine holds a dangerous secret: the creatures that his stories made famous are real, and Stine protects his readers by keeping them locked up in their books. When Stine’s creations are unintentionally released from their manuscripts, Zach’s life takes a turn for the weird. In a crazy night of adventure, it’s up to Zach, Hannah, Champ, and Stine to team up and get all of these figments of Stine’s imagination – including Slappy the Dummy, the girl with the haunted mask, the gnomes and many more – back in the books where they belong to save the town.

Video Game Characters Run Wild in These Stills for the Upcoming Action Comedy "Pixels"

Columbia Pictures recently released stills for their upcoming release on "Pixels". The film is the latest from director Chris Columbus and stars Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Michelle Monaghan, Peter Dinklage, Josh Gad and Brian Cox.

"Pixels" hits theaters on July 24th.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at:  http://pixelsmovie.tumblr.com

Plot Synopsis:

In Pixels, when intergalactic aliens misinterpret video-feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war against them, they attack the Earth, using the games as models for their various assaults. President Will Cooper (Kevin James) has to call on his childhood best friend, ’80s video game champion Sam Brenner (Adam Sandler), now a home theater installer, to lead a team of old-school arcaders (Peter Dinklage and Josh Gad) to defeat the aliens and save the planet. Joining them is Lt. Col. Violet Van Patten (Michelle Monaghan), a specialist supplying the arcaders with unique weapons to fight the aliens.

"Chappie" Review - Written by Tim Hellman

'CHAPPIE': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

The new science fiction action/drama flick from Neil Blomkamp; about a police droid, in the near future, that gains consciousness. Blomkamp directed and co-wrote the movie, with his wife Terri Thatchell (who also co-wrote 'DISTRICT 9', with her husband). It's based on Blomkamp's 2004 two minute short film 'TETRA VAAL', and it also features a similar robot design to his 2006 short 'TEMPBOT'. The movie stars Blomkamp's usual partner in crime Sharlto Copley, as the voice of the robot, and it also costars Dev Patel, Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Brandon Auret, Yolandi Visser and Ninja (Ninja and Visser are first time actors, from the South African hip-hop group 'Die Antwoord'). I love the film and think it's a near masterpiece.

The movie is set in Johannesburg, in the near future, at a time when violent crime is near obsolete; due to a new robotic police force. When a small gang (played by Ninja, Visser and Cantillo) find themselves in a huge amount of debt, to a local crime lord (Auret), they decide to kidnap the designer of the police droids, Deon Wilson (Patel). They want to force Deon to shut down all the robots; so they can commit a big heist, to raise the money they need. What they don't realize is that Wilson has stolen one of his droids himself, from his employers, in a plan to give it actual consciousness. When the robot comes alive, the criminals then steal the droid, from his maker, and kick Deon out of their hide out. They name it Chappie and devise a plan to have the living droid help them with their big crime. At the same time a rival engineer, named Vincent Moore (Jackman), wants to sabotage the gang's plans; in an effort to capitalize on them and gain funding for his own mechanized killing machines.

The movie borrows a lot from other popular sci-fi movies; most notably 'SHORT CIRCUIT' and of course 'ROBOCOP' (more so the 2014 remake). Still it has it's own unique feel and, like all of Blomkamp's movies, it's full of great social commentary and intriguing, well developed, characters. I love Chappie, as a classic robot character, and I think Ninja and Visser make great acting debuts as well; in this movie. Patel is always likable (and very relatable), Weaver once again does what she does best (playing a domineering woman, in yet another sci-fi movie) and it's awesome to see Jackman as an obsessive 'religious nut' bad guy! Blomkamp's directing is once again very stylized and always beautiful to look at. It's also cool to see such an excessively violent (R rated) kid's movie; that's what it feels like to me! I don't think it's quite as classic as 'DISTRICT 9', but it is a slight improvement over 'ELYSIUM'. It's definitely a little ways from a sci-fi masterpiece, of it's own, but I still absolutely love it!

Official Stills for Neil Blomkamp's Upcoming Film "Chappie"

Columbia Pictures recently released stills for Neil Blomkamp's (District 9, Elysium) upcoming film "Chappie". The film stars Sharlto Copley (District 9, Maleficent), Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionare, The Newsroom), Sigourney Weaver (Avatar, Alien) and Hugh Jackman (X-Men: Day of Future Past, Pan).

"Chappie" hits theaters on 3/6.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at:  http://www.chappie-movie.com

Plot Synopsis:

In the near future, crime is patrolled by an oppressive mechanized police force. But now, the people are fighting back. When one police droid, Chappie, is stolen and given new programming, he becomes the first robot with the ability to think and feel for himself. As powerful, destructive forces start to see Chappie as a danger to mankind and order, they will stop at nothing to maintain the status quo and ensure that Chappie is the last of his kind.

Anthony T's #TBT: “[REC] 3: Genesis"

Welcome to another edition of Anthony T’s #TBT. It’s been gone for a couple of weeks but its back. The final chapter in the [REC] series is “[REC] 4: Apocalypse” was recently was recently released in theaters and VOD. With that happening, I’ve decide revisit my review portion of my “[REC] 3: Genesis” review.

Repost from 11/11/12 DVD with minor changes

When I heard that there were plans for “[REC] 3: Genesis" and “[REC] 4: Apocalypse” were announced, I was so excited for this until I heard that this film was going to break from the format of the first two films. Maybe it was the fact that I’m use to watching each “[REC]” film use the found footage format. Nevertheless, I still was curious about “[REC] 3 Genesis”.

The film is about Clara and Diego (Leticia Dolera, Diego Martin), a newly married couple who are celebrating their first day of marriage. With wedding video photographers, they capture their first moments as husband and wife. Soon the wedding reception turns this joyous occasion into a living nightmare, as a virus starts to infect the reception guests and transforming them into horrific zombies. This forces the couple to into a horrific fight for their lives, as they are separated from each other. Will they find each other and make it out of this horrific ordeal.

One of my fears going into this film was that this was going to be a letdown considering what I heard about it. The fact that this wasn’t going to be a complete found footage like the other two films had me a little skeptical about the film. It also didn’t help that I noticed on the IMDB boards that fans were not happy with the screenplay or the film in general. Well, I disagree with them, as this was different and more intense than the other two “[REC]” films.

Most of that was Paco Plaza’s direction. One of the things that I liked about it, he does a very good job with the transition of formats. It was a little awkward seeing a [REC] film use the traditional method of direction and storytelling but it still worked. I liked, the way that he uses the found footage format to set up the characters and the story. It makes all the wedding aspects work, as you become interested in the couple. Plaza also does a very good job switching to tradition formats for the film’s intense action sequences. It made the action sequences work a whole lot better. He also does a very good job with the way that he directs his cast. I thought, the performances were very good. Both Leticia Dolera and Diego Martin both did a very good job as Clara and Koldo. The two had very good chemistry as the newlywed couple, as it made the characters and the dynamic of their relationship work. If the performances didn’t work, then it wouldn’t be as good.

The screenplay written by Plaza and co-writer Luiso Berdejo does a very good job trying to take the franchise in a totally different direction. The screenplay does a very good job focusing on the characters and developing the relationship between the newlyweds. It made you interested in the couple, as they are trying to escape. The writers also did a very good job with more creating more intense sequences. This film and story felt like there was more intensity and more bloody images than the previous entries. It works in the screenwriters favor, because it picks up the pace of the film and you’re invested with what is going on. That’s what makes the film entertaining and makes you forget that you’re expecting a found footage film.

“[REC] 3: Genesis” is by far the most intense and bloodiest entry in the series. It’s different from the first two films, but it’s the most action packed film in the series with good lead performances from Leticia Dolera, Diego Martin and very directing from Paco Plaza.

"Fury" Review - Written by Tim Hellman

'FURY': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

World War II war flick written and directed by David Ayer (who also performed both duties on multiple cop movies like 'END OF WATCH', 'HARSH TIMES' and 'SABOTAGE'; he also wrote 'TRAINING DAY' and directed 'STREET KINGS'). It stars Brad Pitt as a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant leading a crew of men into battle in Nazi Germany, in a Sherman tank, on the last days of the European Theater. It costars Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Jon Bernthal and Michael Peña. It's pretty gruesome, and very dark, but also a fitting tribute to the soldiers who gave their lives in that hellish war.

The story takes place in April of 1945, as the Allies battle bravely to take control of Nazi Germany; during the last month of the European war. Pitt plays Don 'Wardaddy' Collier; the leader of a M4A3E8 Sherman tank, and it's five-man crew. The film centers on each man as they horrendously fight off Nazi soldiers, behind enemy lines. It especially focuses on the relationship between Wardaddy and an inexperienced private, named Norman Ellison (Lerman).

The movie is very bloody, and disgustingly violent, and there is some controversy over how accurately it depicts the horrors, and atrocities, of World War II. One of the technical advisors on the film, a World War II tank gunner named Don Evans, says the violence shown, in the movie, is much worse than he remembers (and he wasn't looking forward to seeing it, on the big screen). All of Ayer's films are extremely brutal though, and he did grow up in South Central Los Angeles, so if you can stand the gore I'd definitely still recommend it. The directing is technically (near) perfect and the character study, being presented, is extremely fascinating. I especially like the performances of LaBeouf (one of my favorite actors) and Lerman. Pitt is really good too (but he still always seems like Brad Pitt, in the movie). If you like and respect war films I'd definitely recommend this movie!

"The Equalizer" Review - Written by Tim Hellman

'THE EQUALIZER': Four Stars (Out of Five)

Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua team up again, for the first time since 'TRAINING DAY' (13 years ago), for this feature film adaptation of the popular 80s TV series (of the same name). Washington plays a former government agent, named Robert McCall (the role was originated by Edward Woodward), who comes out of retirement to help those in need of his special skills; in this film it's a young prostitute, who's been beaten by the Russian mobsters she works for. It costars Chloe Grace Moretz, Marton Csokas, David Harbour, Bill Pullman and Melissa Leo. It was written by Richard Wenk and based on the TV series created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim. If you like 80s exploitation action flicks you'll love this movie!

Robert McCall (Washington) was a very lethal, and expertly skilled, black ops operative; who worked for an unnamed government agency. He's now retired and trying to live a peaceful life, while working at a hardware store, in Boston Massachusetts. When a young call girl he knows, named Teri (Moretz), gets into trouble with the Russian gangsters she works for, McCall feels compelled to come out of retirement and help her. He becomes a one-man killing machine once again!

The film is a lot more violent than I was anticipating. It's gratuitously violent; like the beloved 80s action flicks that used to glamorize excessive blood and gore (there's many scenes of Denzel using various tools, from his store, to brutally murder bad guys). If you don't have a problem with that, and enjoy movies full of it, you'll love this movie. I enjoyed it quite a bit but I used to like this type of movie, a lot. Denzel is great in the film and Fuqua does some awesome stylized directing; but it is all action and no substance. That's OK sometimes though.

"22 Jump Street" Review - Written by Tim Hellman

'22 JUMP STREET': Four Stars (Out of Five)

Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum once again team up for this buddy cop sequel, to the 2012 hit '21 JUMP STREET' (loosely based on the 80s TV show of the same name). It was once again written by Hill and Michael Bacall, this time along with Oren Uziel and Rodney Rothman. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller returned to direct the movie; they've gained a lot more celebrity status since directing the first one, for directing and co-writing 'THE LEGO MOVIE' (released earlier this year). I don't think this installment is as consistently funny (or as well made) as the original but it still has a ton of great laughs.

The sequel has Officers Schmidt (Hill) and Jenko (Tatum) now going undercover as college students (as opposed to high school ones, like in the first movie) to catch the drug supplier of a new deadly drug called 'WHYPHY'. Also unlike the first movie Jenko is now the popular student, once again (and becomes really good at football), and Schmidt is a picked on nerd, once again. Jenko also makes friends with a jock named Zook (Wyatt Russell) while Schmidt starts to develop a romantic relationship with an art student named Mercedes (Jillian Bell). The two grow further and further apart while also blowing their case. Ice Cube, Nick Offerman, Rob Riggle and Dave Franco also reprise their roles from the first movie.

The film is of course, once again, all about Schmidt and Jenko's relationship and how it's jeopardized by their new fake identities (returning to school life). Hill (like his buddy Seth Rogen) is a master at these exaggerated male (friend) relationship movies. The story is pretty predictable, and it is kind of just a rehash of the original movie, but there's still a lot of great jokes and Hill and Tatum have beautiful chemistry together (once again). People, that are looking forward to seeing a movie like this, should know to expect a male bonding (spoof) commentary with lots of silly jokes (mostly gay or 'not gay' ones). It's not as funny as the original movie but it still delivers the laughs; they're just a little more hit-and-miss this time. More hit than miss though (once again).