Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

I was overly excited to see this I couldn't wait and
I would have to say it was worth the wait! this movie
in one word is spectacular!
ok i can't use just one..it was uplifting and in
a away inspirational.
Inspiration as in one man can make a difference and
that being a true hero doesn't come from fancy powers or
flashy weapons but it comes from with in.. it comes from the
heart.

I would have to say I loved how this film started
and where it quickly started to go..
It is excellent in its execution, It take place during
World War II and follows the story of Steve Rodgers
and how he became Captain America
as he tries and fails to enlist in the army but is deemed unfit for military service
due to his size and medical problems and is turned down but gets invited to
take part in the secret Super Solider Project.
And becomes the only person who successfully does survives the procedure
of the ill fated program and with his new found strength goes on to fight
the Nazis and The Villainous Hydra lead by the Evilly Ruthless Red Skull.

I felt this was a perfect adaption of Captain America
It couldn't have been any better!
I liked how they used the "Original costume"
in the the USO sequences and those sequences
alone were very funny and somewhat showed how
he became know as "Captain America"

I have to also say I like how they handled The Red Skull
also the Make-up and effects were truly amazing
and Hugo Weaving's portrayal of the character was perfect!
He was truly the Red Skull in look and fell I was very pleased!

I was somewhat concerned about Chris Evans as Steve Rodgers
but after seeing him in action I would have to say my
worries melted away he was perfect for this part.

I also loved the nods of bucky (soon to be Winter Soldier)
played by Sebastian Stan)
and the punching of Hitler in the Jaw during the USO show was just like
the actual first issue. (which they do show in the film)
I also liked how they showed how he received this
actual suit and shield and the motorcycle.

I even like how they worked in "the Howling commandos"
but there was no cameo shot of Hugh Jackman.. becasue
Captain America did Meet Wolverine in World War II (lol)

Like I said about Evans and Weaving the acting and portrayals
in this film where really genuine and heartfelt especially
from Dr. Abraham Erskine (played by Stanley Tucci)
as well as Tommy Lee Jones who plays
Colonel Chester Phillips

The visual effects, the stunts, music, the writing
and simply the action itself were all very impressive
and were crafted with such heart that this movie
wins on so many levels.
there truly was not a moment in this film
where I was not smiling.
I can't say enough about this one
it has humor, laughs, emotion, hard hitting action
and heart.. Hats off to you Marvel
I can't wait until next summer where it all comes together..

and speaking of which, don't forget to watch after the
credits for a glimpse of what this is all leading up to.

Also this poster is just so amazingly good I had to share it

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)

again for the third time we follow the war of the
Autobots and the Decepticons. In what many are
saying is the last film of the series.
I went to see this and of course in 3D (OoOoOoO...!)
I would have to say I did quite enjoy this, I thought it
was truly a spectacular film and was pretty much happy
with all of it. They open with Optimus Prime telling a story
much like in the previous films and from this sequence you
can tell the visuals will be spectacular
and tie in the moon landing into this vast but very
engaging film. After that bit of explanation we find our
hero Sam living with a new lady. I'm not sure if I like
her more then Megan Fox..
this Rosie Huntington-Whiteley I think she does a very good
job I do like her especially her accent. Although you would have to get use to her
being she was only in the one movie were Fox was in the first two. but I would have to
say I did feel this Rosie Huntington-Whiteley did seem to have a little more chemistry
with Shia LaBeouf though.
Anyway, you can feel Sam Witwicky's frustration at the first of the film where
he is having a hard time adjusting to just being a regular guy again, and getting a job after
he saved the world twice in fact, but as Optimus Prime
said in the second one (Revenge of the Fallen) "fate rarely calls upon us at a
moment of our choosing." and is pulled back into the world of excitement.

I would have to say that the over all plot of the film itself is more in tune with the
actual show there is even a two part story in the original Generation 1 (G1) animated series
that is very similar to this. I also like that they brought more of the fan favorite things
into the films such as Optimus Prime's trailer, The cyclopic Decepticon Shockwave
and the winged Lazerbeak. it was also great to see Soundwave in his robot form.
Also Leonard Nimoy as the voice of Sentinel Prime was very well cast and for those
who don't know this isn't his first time as a Transformer he also voiced Galvatron in
the 1986 Animated movie. There were some nice moments with Sentinel and Optimus
and when Sentinel's "deception" comes to light I was thinking to myself "you don't deserve
the title of Prime"

Also yes what would Transformers be will out some great humor, the jokes
were of course very well crafted and I would have to say witty and they do invoke
some nice laughs out of you two of the most odd characters were the wacky
Jerry Wang (played by Ken Jeong) and sams boss Bruce Brazos (played by John Malkovich) .
also the Charlotte Mearing or just Mearing as she is know in the film
(played by Frances McDormand) came off as a bit hateful but she does have
some humor in here as well and we can't forget Shia who is always funny in these
and with the awkward moments with Sam's parents (played by Kevin Dunn and Julie White ).
I also think this film was nicely shot with great cinematography, with many beautiful shots
and I do think brilliant directing. I know alot of people crap all over Michael Bay and I don't
see why?

He makes movies that are fun and exciting, movies that people can enjoy and
which are pure escapist entertainment becasue isn't that why we go to the movies to escape?
this isn't a documentary and you have to say that they take it as serious as they can
I mean how serious can you take a story about giant robots from outer space who are locked
in a brutal civil war? I mean come on! I think Bay was the perfect person to handle these
films, becasue that is what you want to see, robots fighting, and Laser beams and gun fights
and explosions becasue that is what you had in your imagination when you were a kid on the
living room floor playing with the toys.

This just brings that to life on the screen and does it ever! the action was amazing
spectacular! there were some awe inspiring stunt work and practical effects in this that
only heightened the visual effects experience. The visual effects them self were amazing.
I find with each new film the transformations seem to become more complex looking and
more detailed,

So do the Transformers themselves I find that the 3D characters are more detailed then
the originals from the 2007 or even the 2009 movie. I also think that the facial animations for
say Optimus Prime have become more human and expressiveness where you can see and
notice suttle things that ad to the over all I guess you would say "performance" of the CG
created character and that makes them more believable.

All in all I felt this film was truly amazing, with its nice score and music usage
to its excellent writing with very good heroic lines and cheeky humor.
To the impressive practical stunts and visual effects, to the feeding of the fans of
The Transformers and giving them exactly what they want.
To finally the continuing story of finding your
place in this world and the Universe at large.
This film in my opinion is a must see and is a true Summer Movie spectacular.

Green Lantern (2011)

"In brightest day, in blackest night,
No evil shall escape my sight
Let those who worship evil's might,
Beware my power... Green Lantern's light!"

Now this one was talked about for meany years
and there was some pretty stupid Ideas out there
like Jack Black in the lead role..
but thankfully none of them came to pass.

Just like Iron Man I would have to say I always
knew that this one would be made but I was more
of a not if but when will it be made.
and it looks like now is the time, Now is the time
for Green Lantern to shine and shine it did!

Personally I thought this was a very well done and put together film for
it first outing tackling the origin story and they did hit all the key point
and there was some good explanation in there for people who would not
be familiar with the story of Green Lantern.

The story in my view was pretty simple but some what classic in away
This hot shot guy is chosen and given a great responsibility, He faulters
and succumb to some self doubt about who he is and his abilities after
becoming a small fish in a big pond, but in the end rises to the occasion
and saves all life and earns his place with his new found strength.

I felt there was some nice acting in here but it has to get rolling.
At first I didn't like Blake Lively (Carol Ferris) I felt she was kind
of stiff at the start when we first meet her but as the film goes on
she shakes some of that stiffness off and does become likeable.

As for Ryan Reynolds I never pictured him as Hal Jordan I always seen
him as more as Barry Allen aka the Flash then Green Lantern but I would
have to say he did do pretty good in this role and I did like him as Hal and
he did look the part.

Peter Sarsgaard (Hector Hammond) as well as Mark Strong's Sinestro
were impressive as well. Hammond's pain and suffering is very well
done in he sells me completely on the torment he is feeling
even thought his origin Differs from his Comic Book origins slightly,
he was in my view well portrayed.
As for Strong's Sinestro he is very well played and portrayed just the
way I would think he would be as a respectable member of the Green Lantern Corps,
who is dedicated to his duty with benevolent intentions to defeat Parallax.
After facing defeat from the Monster he Implores the Guardians to construct
a yellow ring to fend off the Parallax creature but when it not needed
it is put away. but..it is not forgotten especially by Sinestro and
with in his hands it leads to his fall from grace.

Now I didn't want to jump right into this right away but I must say
The visuals on this film were amazing, but surprisingly I didn't find
it was over loaded with visuals and CG sure there was alot you couldn't do in
this film with out it, but I felt the effects were either story or scene driven.
I did feel that it wasn't "flashy" for the sake of being "Flashy"
feel it didn't come off as that.

Now speaking from a purely fan point of view the visual effects did kind
of hinder the rest of the movie just a touch becasue like I said from
a fan and design point of view I could care less about what was happening
on Earth I wanted to see more of the crazy creatures
and more of the aliens and all that stuff I wanted to see everything
up close an in amazing detail, All of Oa and all the members of the Core.
and the film is trying to tell you a story and all you are thinking is
go back and show me more of this and that, so it does hinder
it in that way.

Because the design of this film as well as the visual effects were
I hate to use this term "out of this world" but they truly were.
Personally I loved Hal's suit alot of people complained about it
but I thought it was impressive especially when it was "alive"
and the energy is flowing off it or coursing about it.

I thought that was an very good effect it gave it more weight
and made it feel more like it was alien technology.
Also the looks for familiar characters such as the Guardians and
Tomar-Re, Kilowog were very well done I was very impressed
and one of the things I was looking forward to was Kilowog
calling someone a "Poozer" (which means "useless rookie")
and when he did I was happy at that and it did make me smile

Also there was a bit of nice humor in this and a few nice jokes
but there was more action and battles with some slick effects
then comedy. but in the end I enjoyed the movie it was
fun and exciting and pretty much how I seen Green Lantern in
my head so that is all good for me.

Also Watch after the credits, for a bit of a tease.

Super 8 (2011)

Now I wanted to see this being that the trailers looked
amazing and it just captured my attention. I must say that
if you go into this looking for a straight out Horror film you
might be somewhat disappointed. I can't really say that
this is a Horror picture I know it might seem that way from
the trailers and that but what it actually is...Is a
Thriller/Mystery that becomes
a out of this world adventure.

The film itself takes place in the 60s-70s and revolves about
a group of preteens/teens who are trying to make a monster
movie in there small sleepy little town
after the tragedy of the main characters mother. Its gets his mind off his loss
and spends time with his friends doing this project. This is all going as planed
until they are filming at the wrong place at the wrong time... when a train
is detailed caring a alien creature who just wants to go home and has some
sort of Electrical powers to go with its impressive size is accidentally unleashed
on the unsuspecting town. the young film makers go from making a monster movie
to being in one, as the military rolls in to try to capture the creature.

While at the same time the small group of friends must race again time to
save one of there own who was taken by unknown being from beyond the stars.

I must say I did enjoy film quite a bit it had that spookiness about it
with some jumps and scares along the way but also had some wonderful humor
that was all in the writing as well as some very nice action
it also had some nice touching scenes also having to do with understanding,
forgiveness and letting things go so that you can move on.

This was indeed very well crafted nicely shot and edited. The music was
prefect where it needed to be. The acting was very good and very believable
these kids were absolutely perfect. the action was fast and quick
and the effects were truly impressive.

The train crash I think was the main set piece of the movie itself and
that alone carries the wow effect. I was so amazed by that alone.

As for the creature you don't get to see it much at the start you
see a flash here and a glimpse there, a reflection or a swish of a
tail (it looked like it had some sort of tail) but as the movie rolls
on you get to see more and more an arm, the torso I think that this
piece by piece was very good way of doing this. You don't get to see
it close up pretty much until the very end. The only problem I thought
was its color its a smoky black and its usually in low light that you
see the creature. sure that makes it more mysterious and would hide
any possible imperfection in the creature design but on the other hand
it makes it harder to see it in full detail.

but you see enough were your satisfied with what you saw so its not
a real dower. But with that said this movie was fun, fast had humor and
heart. I don't want to say to much if you haven't seen it and you should.

Also stay and watch the credits you actually get to see the completed
film the kids made which is funny and adds to this films over all charm.