'This Means War' (2012)

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Tuck and Frank (FDR) are best friends, but they're also CIA agents who've been sat on the bench because they've got a price on their heads.  Frank is a ladies man, always on the prowl.  Tuck is divorced with a son he hasn't been close to.  Trying to find a way to connect to the world again, Tuck places his profile on a dating website.  Enter Lauren.  In a twist of fate, Lauren sees Tuck's profile but also bumps into Frank offline.  In a hilarious mission impossible way, Tuck and Frank must try to get Lauren to chose one of them, even if it means that using CIA tactics of sabotage and surveillance must be used no hands barred.

Our review:  It's silly and ridiculous, yet entertaining in a strange way.  The fact that two guys could fight over the same girl happens all the time.  The botched mission in Hong Kong that benches them keeps the two guys moody and desperate for action.  The fact that Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Tom Hardy are thrown together in this mess is funny enough.  The executives who put this together couldn't have picked a stranger trio, but it works.  Who will win the war?  You'll have to watch to decide.

(Our rating)

Genre: Action, Comedy, Adventure

Rated R for some sexual content

Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Tom Hardy

Directed by:  McG

Writing Credits: Timothy Dowling and Marcus Gautesen (story), Dowling and Simon Kinberg (screenplay)

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'Dark Tide' (2012)

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Kate Mathieson is a shark expert.  One of only a few people in the world to free dive with Great White sharks, Kate and her husband, Jeff, undergo a trek to promote his videos of her as the "shark whisperer".  When an attack kills a friend and fellow diver, Kate has lost her will to get back into the water and watches her tour business fail.  With a pile of bills on her desk and her boat about to be taken from her, Jeff offers a proposal.  First, he wants her back.  Second, he wants her to take a thrill-seeking millionaire (Brady) on a shark dive - outside the cage.

Our review: Halle Berry is at her best in this movie that makes the 'Jaws' franchise look absolutely ridiculous.  Her graceful movement in the water is beauty enough to make this movie worth watching, but it is her range of authentic emotions that keep you glued to your seat.  This movie was neither predictable or boring.  All-in-all, if you love shark movies, this is the one above all others we'd recommend for our viewers.  South Africa is stunningly portrayed in this film.  Note:  Some South African words are used, but are sub-titled in English and are infrequent and are usually casual chit chat.

(Our rating)

Genre:  Adventure, Thriller, Drama 

Rated PG-13 for bloody shark attacks/disturbing images, and for mild language including sexual references

Starring: Halle Berry, Olivier Martinez and Ralph Brown

Family Guide:  Being a movie that includes a lot of swimming, you do see women and men in swimming attire (bikinis) and some cleavage, otherwise sexual talk and innuendos are mild and jokingly said and nudity is not a real issue.  This movie has some very intense scenes that include being around wild animals, animal attacks, blood, gore, animal violence and the stars involved in dangerous stunts and situations.  Small children may be frightened by these scenes, and we recommend that parents use discretion for teens as well.  Profanity is limited mainly to name calling and brief exchanges.  Alcohol usage and cigarette smoking is shown. 

Director: John Stockwell

Writing Credits: Ronnie Christensen (screenplay) and Amy Sorlie (story, screenplay)

Official Movie Trailer:

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'The Secret World of Arrietty' (2012)

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From Walt Disney Studios and Studio Ghibli of Ponyo (and Academy Award-winning Spirited Away) comes the world of legendary creators Keiko Niwa and Hayao Miyazaki.  Based upon the book The Borrowers by Mary Norton, the tale is about little people called the 'Borrowers' who live peacefully behind the walls and floors in a world humans cannot dream to understand. Living off of the scraps that are left behind, these nearly invisible small people imagine their secret is safe until a tenacious 14-year-old Arrietty is spotted by 12-year-old boy Shawn who lives in his Aunt's home.  Arrietty makes Shawn promise not to reveal the secret world to protect her own family. 

Our review: The English language version of 7-time Academy Award-winning director Gary Rydstrom and Hiromasa Yonebayashi (his directorial debut) is an entertaining film about risk, friendship and the courage to face an uncertain future.  Arrietty (voiced by Bridgit Mendler) is fun to watch and the animation is fantastic!  A beautiful song, "Arriety's Song" is catchy and cute.  We identified with the characters, big and small, and found this to be a touching family movie we'd highly recommend.

(Our rating)

Genre:  Fantasy, Animation, Family, Adventure

Rated G

Starring: (voice talents, English) Bridgit Mendler, Amy Poehler and Will Arnett and more...

Directed by:  Hiromasa Yonebayashi, Gary Rydstrom

Writing credits:  Mary Norton (novel), Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa (screenplay)

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'Chronicle' (2012)

Based on a story by Josh Trank and Max Landis is a new science fiction film shot in the manner of movies like 'Blair Witch Project' and 'Cloverfield' (so if looking at a screen as it would appear through a camcorder makes you sick, this might not be for you).  The footage follows three teenage high school students who make an extraordinary discovery and develop telekinetic powers.  As they learn more about these new abilities, they take larger and larger risks with the laws of nature.  Will their lives spin out of control as they embrace the darker sides of themselves, or will their friendship overcome all?

Our review: "Found footage" flicks have been with us for awhile now.  'Chronicle' tries to break out of the typical sub-genre.  The movie never does show you just what gives them their power, and we were thankful for that.  Sometimes it is better to not know...build the mystery a bit.  The CGI is great in this film.  For a low-budget film pulled from the minds of Trank and Landis, it has a narrative flow that never drags.  The fact that the main character is 'dark' because he came from an abusive childhood seemed a bit too convenient, especially when he appears to have stronger powers than the others.  All-in-all, we thought this film was entertaining enough to recommend it to teenage sci-fi geeks at least.  And heck, isn't it fun once in a while to see something different?

(Our rating)

Genre:Science Fiction, Drama, Thriller

Rated PG-13 for intense action and violence, thematic material, some language, sexual content and teen drinking

Starring:  Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell and Michael B. Jordan

Family Guide: This movie could easily have been moved up to an 'R' rating.  Virginity, the loss of it, sexual innuendos, sexual speech and scenes that infer sexual activity are present.  Graphic violence is shown throughout the film; including robbery, explosions, and aggressive behavior towards others and domestic abuse.  Fighting is a prevalent theme.  Obscene hand gestures, scatological terms, anatomical terms, religious profanities and bullying-type talk also threads most of the film.  Inference to drug use, alcohol usage, and underage drinking/partying are also shown.

Director: Josh Trank

Writing Credits:  Max Landis (story, screenplay) & Josh Trank (story)

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'The Grey' (2012)

DVD/Blu-Ray Release Date:  May 15, 2012

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Based on the short story Ghost Walker by Ian MacKenzie Jeffers, Academy Award nominee Liam Neeson stars in a thriller packed with adrenaline in 'The Grey'.  John Ottway (Neeson) and his team of oil rigging 'roughnecks' have finished a job and are on their way to Anchorage for a two-week break when their plane falls from the sky into some of the most terrifyingly remote frozen vastness only the Alaskan wilderness can provide.  Using the survival skills he has, Ottway leads the group on a trek that will prove to be more than dangerous; they will be lucky if they draw their next breath.

Our review:  Liam Neeson has been handling some rather strenuous and thrilling roles as of late.  His last movies include: 'Taken' (2008), 'The A-Team' (2010), 'Unknown' (2011) and 'Wrath of the Titans' (2012).  'The Grey' adds yet one more remarkable performance to a long list of big-screen achievements for Neeson.  Neeson makes a fantastic oil rigger and survivalist; a born leader.  The fact that his team includes six other men that are all fighting for their lives in a frozen world that seems so foreign to us, makes it that much more exciting when trouble comes in both expected and unexpected ways.  Imagine hell is ice, throw in the fact that the main character (Ottway) has some excellent skills with a rifle, the fact that the group is made up of men who do better far outside normal social circles and wolves - you've got yourself a thrill-ride guaranteed to leave your gut tied in knots. 

(Our rating)

Genre: Thriller, Drama, Action, Adventure

Rated R for violence/disturbing content including bloody images, and for pervasive language

Starring:  Liam Neeson,  Dermot Mulroney and Frank Grillo

Family Guide: This movie is appropriately rated by the MPAA.  Talk of sexual acts, human sexuality and some brief nudity are present.  Intensely graphic scenes involving an airplane crash, crash victims, blood, wounds, animal attacks and death are involved throughout the movie.  Language is this film is harsh and crudely pervasive throughout.  Alcohol usage is shown. 

Directed by: Joe Carnahan

Writers: 

Joe Carnahan		(screenplay) &
Ian Mackenzie Jeffers		(screenplay, short story Ghost Walker)
Production Companies 1984 Private Defense Contractors (in association with) Liddell Entertainment Scott Free Productions

Distributed by: Open Road Films (II) (2012) (USA) (theatrical)

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'Faces in the Crowd' (2011)

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Anna Marchant teaches at an exclusive elementary school.  Her proudest moments are when she can easily identify each of her students.  Living with her boyfriend, Bryce, Anna finds time to meet with her two best friends for 'girls night'; Francine and Nina.  After one such evening, Anna opts to walk home rather than take a cab.  As she is crossing a bridge, she witnesses a gruesome crime and suffers a fall that causes her to remain in a coma for a week.  Waking, Anna realizes that something is wrong when she can no longer identify the faces of those she once held closest to her.  With a diagnosis of Prosopagnosia, a disorder involving facial perception, Anna realizes that the serial killer she witnessed on the bridge that night could be the man beside her in bed or even her best friend.

Our review:  Although this wasn't a "big-budget" movie, we like to stray outside the boundaries into straight-to-dvd movies at times.  This film was worth the risk.  Milla Jovovich plays a very convincing victim of crime.  The filmmakers use visual effects that mess with your own perceptions, mirroring the horror the main character must feel in not knowing who is being viewed at any given moment.  While Jovovich remains 'herself' throughout the film, you will be presented with different faces that can, at times, be confusing as you're trying to figure out the plot of the film.  Not too overdone, but steadily mysterious and suspenseful.  We never thought we'd see Jovovich as the victim...did you?

(Our rating)

Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

Rated R for disturbing violent content and some sexuality

Starring:  Milla Jovovich, Julian McMahon and David Atrakchi

Family Guide:  This movie is appropriately rated 'R' by the MPAA for: Passionate kissing, sexual scenes, references to rape.  Murder, serial killer, blood and violence, violence to women, men fighting, nightmares, use of pepper spray.  Weapons (including guns and knives).  Stalking, brief moments of profanity, alcohol usage, cigarette smoking, intense chase scenes, suspense.

Director: Julien Magnat
Writers: Julien Magnat (screenplay), Kelly Smith (script consultant)

 Production Companies

• Forecast Pictures
• Frantic Films Live Action Productions
• Minds Eye Entertainment
• Radar Films

Distributed by: Millennium Entertainment (2011) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)

'The Descendants' (2011)

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Matt King, a husband and father of two girls, must re-examine his past and navigate his future when his wife is in a boating accident off Waikiki, Hawaii.  King awkwardly attempts to repair his relationship with his two daughters - 10 year-old Scottie and rebellious 17 year-old Alexandra - while singlehandedly trying to negotiate the best result for his family's land.  The land, handed down from Hawaiian royalty and missionaries, is one of the last priceless virgin parcels of tropical beach and green space in all of the islands.  One week to make it all right for everyone involved, including himself. 

 Our review: Billed as a comedic drama, we found more sadness than humor in this film.  While Clooney is perfect as an out-of-touch father, the way his girls treat him speaks volumes about parenting in the 21st Century.  We found many moments in the movie heart-wrenching, yet relevant.  At other times we laughed out loud at some of the humorous moments only life can bring.  We used a couple handkerchiefs - one for when we felt sadness, the other for when we cried laughing.  At times this movie drags along making you wonder whether there is a point and connection to his family life and business life.  Sentimental and heartwarming in other ways.

(Our rating)

Genre: Drama, Humor
Rated R for language including some sexual references

Starring:  George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller

Family Guide:

•  This movie is appropriately rated as 'R' by the MPAA. Sexual infidelity is spoken of, but not shown.  The children in the movie use very strong and pervasive language and are often seen in revealing clothing.  Pornography is spoken of and sexual language is used in negative context.  The mother is in a coma (she is never seen awake, moving or talking) throughout the movie.  Scenes of decision-making related to loved ones' deaths.  Obscene hand gestures, alcohol use and abuse, emotional scenes not appropriate for young children or young teens.

Directed by: Alexander Payne
Writing credits: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash (screenplay)
Based on the novel by: Kaui Hart Hemmings

Oscar-Award winning movie (among other awards)

'Courageous' (2011)

From the creators of 'Fireproof' comes another DVD filled with modern-day troubles, a religious theme and inspirational scenes.  'Courageous' features four men who are Sherrif's Deputies in a crime-riddled world.  As law enforcement officers, they are expected to protect and serve their community.  Adam Mitchell (Alex Kendrick), Nathan Hayes (Ken Bevel), David Thomson (Ben Davies) and Shane Fuller (Kevin Downes) are truly commited to their roles on the force, yet they face other challenges none of them are quite prepared to encounter.

In believable situations, these four men find that not only are their roles as peace officers difficult, but their life experiences are arduous as well; they all seem to want more from their relationships as fathers.  One officer is off-duty when someone carjacks their vehicle while their infant is inside, forcing him to take extreme measures to retrieve his child.  Another is very involved with his work, but struggles to give the equal amount of time he would like to give to his wife, daughter and son.  The partner of one officer is struggling to have a relationship with a son he rarely sees due to divorce and another is dealing with a secret he's kept hidden; that he fathered a child he abandoned.

Their friendship is one where it isn't unusual for them to get together socially, and in a type of side-story, the viewers are introducted to Javier Martinez (Robert Amaya), a struggling family man who, in a case of mistaken identity, becomes a part of their group in a humorous and emotional way.  After tragedy strikes, the reality of the things they are missing as fathers hits home.  Each man is quickly faced with decisions about their dreams and their faith while wrestling with fears and insecurities.  They are everyday heroes who want to make a positive impact on their children.

'Courageous' is the fourth film from Sherwood Pictures, the moviemaking ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia.  In the tradition of their faith-based movies, this film expresses how spiritual men deal with sometimes unimaginable tragedy and the blessings of hope.  The commitments they make outside of their jobs are only part of what makes them courageous.

Our review:  This movie is a great family film.  While it addresses crime, gangs, violence and some drug content in the context of the roles of police officers, the lack of curse words is almost refreshing.  While some watchers may not find the religious aspects mesh well with the premise of a movie about police officers, others will find that faith-based movies are a nice change of pace from the typical 'cop' movies where violence and disturbing scenes are mainly the focus of the film.

(Our rating)

Genre: Drama, Family
Rated PG 13

Starring:  Alex Kendrick, Ken Bevel, Ben Davies, Kevin Downes

Released by: 

• Provident Films, a unit of Sony Music Entertainment; Tri-Star and Sherwood Pictures.

Co-Written and Directed by: Alex Kendrick
Co-Written and Produced by: Stephen Kendrick
Executive Producers: Michael Catt and Jim McBride

'Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" (2011)

The fourth installment of the 'Mission Impossible' series; Ethan Hunt and his new team find themselves locked in a multinational race against time to hunt down a dangerous terrorist determined to cause nuclear war in order to create a new world.  Gathering intel and working together, the disavowed IMF team is implicated in the bombing of the Kremlin in an attempt to thwart the terrorist who seeks not only Russian nuclear launch codes, but the means to access a tracking satellite and use it to attack the United States and pit the country against Russia for world dominance.

Our review:  It's a spy movie with a twist.  Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) helped produce the film, and is, of course, the main character.  His team performs some incredible feats, but many of them are almost ridiculous to the point of being predictable and at times, hilarious.  Spoiler alert:  When Hunt just happens to have goggles in his breast pocket after scaling the tallest building in the world and goes hunting for one of the members of the terrorist's inner-circle, it's amazing how handy they are in the middle of a giant sandstorm.  How does his GPS get a near-constant signal when our own cell phones drop our calls all the time, even in perfect weather?  Not the best in the 'Mission Impossible' series, but the movie has a feel-good side to it that makes it worth watching.  We suggest renting or streaming online instead of buying.  The many fight scenes are worth the watch.

(Our rating)

Genre:  Action, Adventure, Spy, Thriller
Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action and violence
  
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg

Family Guide:  This movie is appropriately rated by the MPAA. Suggestive clothing and actions, kissing, brief scene of woman in underclothing, intense action violence, guns, gunshots, some blood, two car accidents shown (from inside vehicles), intense hand-to-hand combat, two people fall to their deaths, threats of violence, building demolished, brief and fairly mild language, brief scene of smoking, alcohol consumption, suspense, bombing, threats of nuclear explosions and war.

'Dreamhouse' (2011)

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There is a saying that a man's home is his castle.  Others say that every house has its own memories.  In this psychological thriller, the castle has memories that aren't of the type anyone would ask for.  In fact, this home is the place where one man would be willing to to kill to forget.

Review: Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz are great actors with good chemistry (and are married in real life), but the switch-up scenes and cutaways leave you wondering what is real and what is not.  This could be part of the appeal, but at times we found it oddly confusing.  It seemed to take away from the thrills that could have been verifiably disturbing in many cases.  Is it a haunted house or ghost story?  Is it a look into a troubled life; past or present?  You'll have to decide.  You won't have to worry about watching this movie with the lights out, however.  And you won't choke on your popcorn.

 (Our rating)


Genre:  Thriller, Drama, Mystery
Rated PG-13 for violence, terror, some sexuality and brief strong language.


Starring: Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, Naomi Watts

'Haywire' (2011)

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Mallory Kane is a professional.  Working for a government contractor, she has been given a covert operation by her handler to perform the types of jobs governments never acknowledge.  Following a hostage rescue in Barcelona, Kane is sent immediately on another mission to Dublin.  As the mission begins to fall apart, Kane realizes that she has been double crossed.  It will take every skill and ability in her arsenal to return to the United States, protect her father and find those responsible for her situation with deadly force if necessary.

Review:  If you love action flicks with tough chicas, then this is going to be a thrill for you.  Think the Borne series with a beautiful woman who is just as skilled and elusive.  A former marine and daughter of a father who was also in the corps, Mallory Kane is a heroine you can cheer for.  Good action scenes with very realistic mixed martial arts fight scenes, proving that having a weapon other than your hands and feet aren't necessary.

(Our rating) 



Genre:  Action, Thriller
Rated R for some violence


Starring: Gina Carano, Channing Tatum, Michael Douglas, Antonio Banderas, Ewan McGregor

• Official site
• Family Guide:  Sexual situation implied, brief scenes of wounds, realistic mixed martial arts sequences, few exchanges of cursing, alcohol consumption, smoking, violence, use of weapons.  This movie could have easily been rated PG-13 if not for some graphic fight scenes and four examples of pervasive language.
• Produced by:  Relativity Media (as Relativity), Bord Scannan na hEireann/Irish Film Board
• Distributed by:  Lionsgate Home Entertainment (2012) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)

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