angelicardour Reviews

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013)

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[8/10 · 11 August 2014]

Just a couple of hours ago, Flint saved the world! Sure, it was from one of his own inventions, but that's cheese under the bridge. Now, he's on top of the world! He's got plans with his friends to open a company! That's when his childhood idol comes into the picture and offers him a dream job as an inventor.

The first movie isn't on Netflix. It's a shame, but not necessary. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 is kind enough to give viewers a recap of what happened in the first movie. Not a bad idea, since there were four years between the first and second one.

I wasn't necessarily in love with the first film, but I thought it was cute and the plot had some merit. There was a good message for kids in it about dreams and accepting people as they are. Good stuff, honestly. It was definitely weird, but not necessarily in a bad way.

I much prefer the second one. The sneaky jokes geared just toward the adults were appreciated and made me believe that parents would likely be happy to watch Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 with their kids. At least the first twelve times. Then the DVD might well get lost or "accidentally" broken. I think that goes for most movies though.

Like the first film, this one had a message for the kidlets. Any version of "don't judge a book by its cover" or "don't believe everything you hear" would aptly describe the main lesson, though there was the obvious push to trust one's friends. Personally, I liked the way they handled the former. It made me think of the plight of pit bulls, a cause that's very near and dear to my heart.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 is a cute and funny movie that does its best to appeal to adults as well as kids. To me, it's the purest definition of "family film."

Sharknado 2: The Second One (2014 TV Movie)

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[8/10 · 30 July 2014]

When Sharknado 2 premiered, you're damn right I was watching it with a group of equally insane friends. I liked the first one and had been looking forward to the second one.

OK, it's not a masterpiece. It won't be viewed as amazing cinema in the future, or at all for that matter. It may not even technically be a "good" movie – but it is entertaining and amusing. In the end, that's what most viewers are really looking for.

As fun as the first one was, I think the second one was even better. Obviously, I'm not factoring in the terrible representation of science or the fact that critics apparently felt like they were smacked in the face by a fin (they hated it).

First of all, the plot was more confident. The writers didn't have to wonder if anyone would watch; they knew that people would be tuning in to the premiere and then sticking around to watch the encore, possibly even recording it. So they had the freedom to be silly and punny, which brought up the "campy" factor quite a bit.

Secondly, the celebrity cameo's elevated the interest level. Wil Wheaton, Kurt Angle, there was even Pepa from the 90's rap duo Salt n' Pepa. It was like a smorgasbord of awesome!

Third, the references were spectacular. I don't know if they were on purpose or not, but there were a ton of Evil Dead/Army of Darkness references.

If you enjoyed the first Sharknado then, by all means, watch this one. Even if you don't like creature features, you might enjoy it. A friend of mine avoids them like the plague and still enjoyed Sharknado and Sharknado 2.

Cat Run (2011)

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[6/10 · 28 July 2014]

Anthony has done his best to distance himself from his family. He even moved out of the U.S. and opened a restaurant on another continent. Business wound up kind of sucking and when his best friend finds him and gives him the idea to start a detective agency he folds. Their first case, though, takes them further into danger than they ever expected.

I hate the word "derivative." In fact, the only time you'll ever see it used in one of my reviews is when I'm making fun of it. Why? Well, when a critic uses the word to describe a movie, they're basically just saying that the film was imitating another one. In a lot of cases, I find that it's less imitation and more inspiration. I mean, directors grow up watching movies and honed their styles in the memory of their favorites, right? So almost every one of them has been inspired by something someone else made. If a critic simply means the movie is cookie cutter or unimaginative – then they should just say that. I feel like it's just a word those people use to sound more elitist.

Cat Run was not well liked by critics. I think the lot of them were watching the wrong movie or something, because I thought the film was hilarious.

There's a lot of sex and nudity, but considering the main plot it makes sense for there to be a lot of sexuality. There was also the buddy- detective aspect because of the two main characters. Most of Cat Run actually seemed like an episode of Psyche with different actors. It did have some relatively original parts, though, and I thought the characters came alive through the actors.

There were some plot holes. The only one that I can mention without adding a spoiler alert, however, is that it's never explained why Anthony has such superior observation skills (his skills are revealed roughly 10 minutes into the movie). I would have liked to know the story behind it.

Overkill (I) (1996)

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[4/10 · 25 July 2014]

First of all, I need to get this off my chest. The way "Norris" is printed on the cover makes me believe they wanted people to think that it was Chuck and not Aaron in the movie. Cheap move I think, but after actually watching it, kind of fitting. Overkill had all of the Norris, none of the Chuck.

Don't get me wrong, I like my share of B movies, but my favorite B movie is the kind that doesn't try to be anything else. This movie was certainly nothing else, but tried to be. Undoubtedly, they thought having a Norris in their movie would sell tickets. However, I expect an actor to react to a nice hard kick to the face. Not stand there for a few and then jump backwards in a very obvious way.

At the beginning of the movie, things are pretty much cut and dry. Uncontrollable cop screws up a raid and is told to get their sh*t together or resign. Cop goes on vacation and gets wrangled into helping out some nerdy tech guy who looked into the wrong computer file. That's the storyline. Not much more to it really…. Until you start hearing about the shadow people out in the jungle. That touch of the supernatural in a movie like this was definitely unexpected.

For the majority of the movie I found that added other-worldly plot just as corny and predictable as their dialog, but the ending really caught me off guard. I was actually really impressed with it and that's what saved this movie for me. In fact, it jumped it up from what would have been an overall opinion of one.

If you do decide to watch it, watch it with the knowledge that you are watching a B movie. Don't expect a blockbuster or you will be disappointed.

The Karate Kid (2010)

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[8/10 · 25 July 2014]

This, actually, wasn't the first time I had seen this movie. As a bona- fide child of the 80's, I was in love with the old Karate Kid movies. First Daniel Larusso moved and found a buddy and karate sensei in Mr. Miyagi, then they took the trip to Okinawa, followed by Daniel buying the Bonsai shop for him and finally, Mr. Miyagi found a new student in Julie Pierce – I was there for it all. Needless to say, I went to see this one in the theater when it came out.

I was nervous as all hell though. I both dreaded the remake and wished I would see the old "wax on, wax off" scene and the final uber kick from when Daniel hurt his knee. Why did I dread it? Because if they had been there, it would have been the same movie and, there-fore, there would be no point for it.

Now, don't get me wrong, the plot was the same thing, just with a different script and different actors. With a younger main character, you also find it hitting a younger demographic. If I were thirteen though? I'd be pretending to be a kung-fu master all over my school halls because of this movie. However, there was plenty in there for those of us coming in from the old movies, enough to keep us entertained. The signature scenes were there, but they had different content which made them seem a bit fresher without losing the message for those new to the story.

I'm a huge fan of Jackie Chan. I love him in just about everything he does, even if I'm not so fond of the movie. This movie was no exception. He fit into that part so easily I almost wondered if he just goes around in his off time helping out bullied little kids and teaching them kung- fu.

As for Jaden Smith, this was the first movie I saw him in and, I have to say it, I can see his father in him. I hope he doesn't just get labeled as some kid riding on his father's coat-tail though, because he's got some serious talent.

There were some minor issues I had with the movie, nothing really worth mentioning here – except one. It seems so minor and stupid, but I can't seem to get over it. For a movie called "The Karate Kid" there was a distinct and total lack of karate. It was Kung-fu. There's a difference. I shall here-after refer to this movie as "The Kung-fu Kid."

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

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[10/10 · 25 July 2014]

If you're a fan of old school video games (Zelda, the first four Final Fantasy games, etc) you're going to definitely notice a couple of references. In fact, the movie itself is like one long reference – though mostly to comics.

It's designed like a comic, which shouldn't come as a shocker since it's based off a series of graphic novels. However, Spiderman was also based off of comics and that was one continuous story. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World almost seems to be cut up and filmed in panels. I can understand why the critics flamed it, but I also think they were resistant to difference and, quite frankly, closed minded jack-offs. As you may be able to tell already, I can also tell why there's a cult following for the movie.

It's different, it's fun and entertaining. Tell me, what more do you want from a movie?

The best part is that not only does the movie do it without throwing an underlying lesson in your face, but if you search deep enough you still find that meaning there. I mean, what would you rather do when meeting your significant others ex? Have that awkward meeting/conversation where you're trying not to say too much and sizing each other up or bust out some wicked magical powers and start zapping each other in the ass until one of you bursts into coins and gives the other some massive life- points? The latter is just so much more fun.

Starship Troopers (1997)

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[9/10 · 25 July 2014]

There's not much I can really say about this movie. I am a big fan of it, but it's not really for everyone. It starts out with a group of high school friends deciding to join the military in order to become citizens or follow their crushes around… either way they wind up in the military fighting the forces of bugs that are threatening their way of life. It sounds a lot more stupid than it actually is.

My favorite part of the movie is the beginning, where they're catching you up to speed through website new reels. They explain the threat and the war without making you feel like the writer thinks you're stupid and you can't figure things out.

It's a campy kind of movie, but it's cute. I hear the sequels leave much to be desired… but we'll see.

Game Box 1.0 (2004)

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[7/10 · 25 July 2014]

So, Harvey Kinkel from Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Topanga Lawrence from Boy Meets World meet and fall in love. Sabrina hears about it and casts a spell…. Wait… sorry… that's just how I looked at the movie because of the VERY familiar characters I saw. Relax, I kid – I kid.

Honestly? Rated 1.9 on Netflix and 14% on Rotten Tomatoes, I expect nothing short of bullsh*t from this movie. I severely underestimated it, and I think I know why. Netflix went all sorts of crazy with the labeling of this films genres. This is not, I repeat NOT, a horror movie in anyway-shape-or form. If you are expecting to see a horror, quickly pick up your remote and skip this film. Whatever moron sat through this and said "Oh, hey, this is a horror movie!" was on way too much LSD that day. I hope you had a bad trip douche-bag.

If I were to categorize this movie I would keep the Sci-Fi & Fantasy, trash the rest and add "Indie Film," "Video Game Movie" and "Psychological Thriller"… then find the guy who labeled it a horror and kick him square in the nuts.

Now, as for the movie, don't go into it expecting an A class movie, it's definitely a B movie, but it's done really nicely. A video game tester getting over the death of his girlfriend receives a free virtual reality game in the mail and assumes he's meant to test it. He does and gets locked inside. It's an interesting concept – true it's something I've seen done before – but it was done well in my opinion. The acting was good, not great, but good and the storyline was great. I happen to especially love the ending.

My suggestion? This is one of those movie you need to say "fuck the critics" to, watch and judge for yourself. And for the love of the dice, don't expect it to be a horror.

Anger Management (2003)

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[6/10 · 25 July 2014]

We all know that some of Adam Sandlers movies can be… well… childish. There's no denying that. And in watching this movie it is easy to see some of that floating around. But, opposite Jack Nicholson, a bit of growth is given to his comedy and it finds a happy medium.

I had the benefit of having watched the last half of the movie a while back before today, when I watched it from the beginning. Normally that would hinder ones outlook on the movie – but not this one. I watched today with my boyfriend and my best friend. My best friend and I knew the ending, but my boyfriend had never seen it before. About a half hour in he was staring at the screen with a weird look on his face. When I asked him what was wrong he said something along the lines of "I thought this was supposed to be a realistic type movie… I'm not sure what's going on."

Now, my boyfriend is a bright man so I tried to see it from his point of view. That's when the epiphany hit. If I had watched this from beginning to end I would have hated it. I would have thought it was a dumb and dumber rip off only worse. Yet if they had made the movie any differently it would have sucked. Interesting, right?

So here's my advice to you. Go find the movie. Rent it, watch it on TV, buy it, whatever. Then before you watch the whole movie, watch just the ending. Then you'll figure out what I mean.

Chicago (2002)

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[8/10 · 25 July 2014]

Chances are, if you haven't seen some version of this movie, you've still heard a song or two. Maybe caught a quote from somewhere. There is no doubt that the script and base of Chicago is a classic. Attractive women dancing in near-nothing and killing jerks – all to a catchy musical score? What's not to like?

Personally, I liked Catherine Zeta-Jones much better than Renee Zellweger. For the basic casting, her body type is just better for the time the script is supposed to be set in. I also think she has a better range throughout the movie where Zellweger has her moments but is otherwise flat.

I wish I had something to compare this version to. I'd love to say I've seen it on Broadway or in one of the older movie adaptations, unfortunately I haven't. After seeing this one, however, I will. It may have had its flatter parts, but I still absolutely loved it.

Double Dare (2004)

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[6/10 · 25 July 2014]

I'm not really all that big on documentaries. I find they have three possible outcomes: Interesting, boring or bad. They can have a mix of any of the three (oddly enough I've seen ones that I would categorize as interesting and bad). This one would be interesting in my eyes.

Though it claims to be about a few different stunt-woman, they really mostly follow Zoe Bell around. It followed her from her days as stunting for Lucy Lawless on the set of Xena to more recently when she was the stunt girl for Uma Thurman in Kill Bill. It was interesting to note the struggles of female stunt people in a predominately male occupation. Not to mention interesting to see what happened to at least one of the people from behind the scenes of one of my all-time favorite TV series when I was younger (Xena!).

Honestly, if you curious about the subject, it's a good movie to watch. Not really re-watchable in my eyes but, then again, few documentaries are.

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009)

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[4/10 · 25 July 2014]

I want nothing more than to say how much I loved this movie. I want to be able to say it was epic and it did the name "G.I. Joe" proud… but I can't. Not honestly anyway.

I will say that I didn't hate the movie. It had its good parts. For instance, some of the action sequences were ridiculous (in a good way). The main characters were played really well. Channing Tatum was a perfect choice for Duke and did his best to breathe life into the character. Marlon Wayans managed to bring out the action with Ripcord without losing that funny edge that suits him. As for Christopher Eccleston… the ninth doctor definitely made the switch from light to dark side seamlessly – though I often found his "accent" a little hard to believe. Joseph Gordon-Levitt was on screen a bit too little for my taste, but I still love him none-the-less. He also shows a great deal more depth in his acting ability than I've seen up until now.

As good as the acting was though, there were parts of this movie that I just couldn't get past. There's a point where there are some people who are not supposed to be able to feel fear or have any use of self- consideration. Yet those same people are pictured screaming in terror and trying to pull something out of their chest in panic rather than going after their target.

If that wasn't enough to make one double glance at the screen, the storyline was flat. I knew just about everything that was going to happen within the first twenty minutes of the movie.

I think, perhaps, my problems with the script and direction is a case of too many cooks spoiling the pot. I checked IMDb for the Writer credits and there were five different people listed. I've been writing a book with ONE other person and it's often difficult for us to be on the same page about where we want sh*t to go.

In the end, the movie didn't suck. Perhaps I would have had more appreciation for it if I had been an avid watcher of the cartoon series, but even then – my problems still had to do with continuity more than anything else, so maybe not. I don't regret watching it, but I doubt I'll be watching it again either.