World War Z

I love when celebrities whom were HUGE box office draws do one or two movies a year every few years and knock it out of the park...like Brad Pitt.

Another zombie movie? Yes! What's different? These zombies are terrifying. Why? Because they can run. Simple as that. 

The premise of the movie is much like any other epidemic the "zombie virus" gets out affecting billions turning everyone into biting, running machines. Unlike "Night of the Living Dead" or any other movie these creatures aren't physically scary. Yes they are decaying from the inside out and it shows, but the truly terrifying part is they can catch you. They are primal creatures that serve one person: to infect. The virus takes over and suddenly all hell breaks loose. They want nothing more than to tear into flesh spreading their virus till everyone is infected. The better question is...then what? Which will lead to a sequel.

Brad Pitt stars as former UN Employee Gerry Lane whom experiences the zombies firsthand while taking his wife and two daughters out of Philly for a family road trip. After many things occur Gerry realizes he must either find a cure or a way to stop them. I won't give away any spoilers other than to say I scratched my head a bit at his resolution.

All in all 4 stars. It wasn't perfect for me, but it was very good. I was scared and entertained. Brad is back! And close to 50 he ain't going NOWHERE! Which is more than I can say for the two muppet brothers whom sat behind me. UGH they were two old white guys that kept talking in their normal voices. I finally had to call in an Usher. PLEASE no talking while I'm trying to watch a star reclaim his throne.

The Purge

 

The year is 2022. The President 10 years prior decided to help the economy by initiating a 12 hour period on one day per year where all Americans can commit sanctioned crime. Caveat is you can't use a certain class of weapontry. 

James Santin (Ethan Hawke) lives in a gated community; he also is the top seller of home security systems that are purge-proof. When armed the systems cover windows, balconies, and any entry doors with steel bullet-proof shields. Only on this particular purge their stupid son played by the annoying Max Burkholder decides to rescue someone in distress by disarming their home security system allowing this stranger to take refuge. Having the stranger stay with James, his wife, son, and teenage daughter puts them in danger when it becomes aware this stranger killed a band of crazies' friend. Now the crazies demand James and his family give up the stranger so they can purge kill him or they will unlock his home security system and kill both the stranger and James plus his family. Dilemma.

Here's the thing have you ever hated someone and they don't know? I HATE Max Burkholder. EVERY SINGLE ROLE IS ANNOYING! On "Parenthood" he's the most annoying Aspbergs Syndrome patient ever. On "Grey's Anatomy" he was this kid whom didn't want lifesaving surgery so he pulled a fire-alarm. Now in this movie he's the moron kid whom put his family in danger by sheltering a stranger. WHY does he pick roles that annoy me and make me hate him? WHY?! And in the movie the stranger further endangers his family and he STILL protects him. DRIVES ME INSANE! I wanna purge on him and punch him in the nose.

Back to the movie (sorry for the digression) it's 4 out of 5 stars. Clearly Max ruined it for me and other things that happen in the movie (not giving away spoilers). The movie was made for $3million and has so far grossed $61million so a sequel has been greenlit. I have an idea if only I was heard grrrr. I will see The Purge 2! 

It's not scary; it's a psychological thriller with suspenseful moments. The most terrifying thing is villain called "The Polite Stranger" played by Rhys Wakefield. This 24 year old Australian is blond haired and blue eyed and the creepiest hot guy in movie history. He looks like what a Ken Doll would personified yet his character is E.V.I.L. with zero redeeming qualities. I was let down by the climax and the ending but overall good movie. It's not perfect but originality and execution alone I think it's a solid A. 

I'd advise watching this at home as we had GET-TOE talkers behind us explaining whom people were...after we already knew. And actions in the movie...as they were happening. Plus it'd be way creepier watching a movie about a secure home...while you're at home :)

rapper Bishop's latest album

I just listened to local MA rapper Bishop's album. I give it 4 stars out of 5.

Started out with the rating first I know. So let me break it down a bit more: the lead song "Crazy Beautiful" WILL MAKE YOU POP YOUR FINGERS! I love love love this song. It's radio friendly and hip hop in its purest. Featured singer David Cancel's voice is relaxed and soulful. Bishop's rapping is strong. The beat is up-tempo. It's the type of song you sing at the top of your lungs while driving into work while blasting. Basically the song is about a girl who's BEAUTIFUL but insanely CRAZY. The message is about how women move too quick in relationships and end up being possessive and could potentially scare a guy off with that personality. I love everything about this song. The other song that sticks out is "Running Scared" I LOVE the fast talking rap. I love it! "Kings of Summer" is good too; the beat is insane! "Lullabye" featuring David Cancel again is a mid-tempo song you just fall in love with. It's so cool and relaxed. This song is about a guy telling his girlfriend he will devote himself to her no matter if he's working, no matter where he is, no matter what girl throws herself at him. I can see this as an AMAZING video! Second fave song on the album.

I love the songs on the album. The reason I give it 4 out of 5 stars is because...well let me say this. There are some Hip Hop songs (mid and up-tempo) then there are some hardcore gangsta rap songs about dark topics, swears, and you just can feel like he's been through ALOT! But here's the thing an artist like Madonna will typically have hit albums. People don't get why when artists like the late Whitney Houston and Toni Braxton have far superior voices. It's because of the concept album. Most artists don't realize it's not about committing to a character like Garth Brooks did Chris Gaines or Beyonce did Sasha Fierce; it's also about committing to a genre throughout the entire album. Madonna's "Confessions on the Dance Floor" is contemporary disco from beginning to end, "Ray of Light" is electronica, "Music" is electropop, and "Like A Prayer" is pop. MDNA as you can see did not have a full commitment throughout. She wanted dance, electronica, and pop in different songs and the album didn't fair as well. See my point? Had Bishop did one sound throughout the album I'd definitely label this a 5 out of 5. I love the hip hop songs, I love the gangsta rap songs, but together I don't love. When I listen to "I Am...Sasha Fierce" by Beyonce I get angry because the "I Am" portion is on the money; the "Sasha Fierce" portion isn't fast enough. "Single Ladies" was amazing the rest of the double album fit more into "I Am." Had Bishop put more Hip Hop songs like "Lullabye" and "Crazy Beautiful" throughout the whole album then put the remaining songs into another album I would love it. 

But be clear I love the songs on the album! The break in genres isn't jarring nor should it not discourage you from buying. Just want you to be prepared if you don't like gangsta rap but do like hip hop.

the one about "The Minister's Wife"

So since last week my friend Mark told me about being an extra on a lifetime TV movie filming in MA called "The Minister's Wife." He told me to contact a Production Assistant Lynnie. I called her, and we had the most AMAZING conversation. I clicked with her better than most of my dates!

I let her know I wasn't able to do the two days of shooting required for the courthouse scene (Monday and Tuesday) as I was housesitting, but could do Tuesday. As I came in on Tuesday the crew is so friendly saying hi to me and ushering me into the Extra's Holding Room. Everyone from the director to the Makeup Artist and Production Assistant was SO friendly. We were mainly handled by two PA's Lynnie and Aiden.

Lynnie and I met in person and clicked yet again (I consider her a new friend not a contact/connection; I'll tell you about that in a minute). Aiden was remembered EVERYONE'S name. He has this photographic memory that's just brilliant. 

Back to Lynnie. Our friendship is just so effortless, and I feel like I've known her my entire life even though we literally just met yesterday. Well onset unlike "Here Comes the Boom" or "Ted" the extras are engaging with the actors, bringing their cell phones on set, and talking nonstop. Yes it's a non-paid gig, but it's WORK! The actors are being paid. I was sickened by their unprofessionalism. And don't get me started on how some people were trying to use this opportunity to further their careers. I was using it as experience not a launchpad. One kid I call the white version of Chris Rock (he looked just like him) was going up to actors and overacting in scenes. This one lady (we're told NOT to speak) was so loud and overemoting. I was embarrassed to be in her category of extra. 

At the end of the day I went up to Gail and congratulated her on her work today (it was emotionally charged) as well as her work on "NYPD BLUE" (she was nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys). She said "You're new here. Yesterday I don't remember looking around seeing your face." I was floored. And Taylor Cole I thanked for being amazing on "The Event!" I said "At first I hated Vicky Roberts then at the end I loved her. But WHAT HAPPENED? The show got cancelled UGH!" She laughed.  What I did not do is get their autograph or take pix with them. That's NOT what we are suppose to do. We aren't even suppose to go up to them. But I had to say thank you. Had I thought about it I woulda thanked James McDaniel for his performance on "Law & Orders SVU" but he left.

It's funny this movie shoot was lower budget and non-paying for me, yet the experience was much more amazing that the two bigger budget Hollywood films. I also made some very decent friendships (I'd say I met 4 people I generally will stay in contact with and even hang out with), and it deepened a friendship I wasn't really familiar with. All in all I had an amazing time. And I didn't feel like it was cutthroat like on HCTB and Ted. People weren't out to get their face on screen and step on you to do it. I was pretty impressed not gonna lie.

In any event if you ever want to test the waters of acting sign up with CPCASTING.com or BOSTONCASTING.com or even check craigslist.org and become an extra. Don't go into it thinking you will instantly become a celebrity and be discovered. Take the gig for the experience and go into it with a job mentality. This is work paid or not; be professional, arrive on-time, and BE PROFESSIONAL!

Man of Steel

Let me first say I am a huge Henry Cavill fan. Yes he's got THE BEST butt in Hollywood. Yes he's a great actor. Yes he's beautiful, but I think he was miscast as "Superman." And this is the opinion of a non-comic book reader. I've seen all the Superman movies (from Christopher Reeves to Brandon Routh).  I even watched EVERY episode of "Smallville." I am also open to reboots (ie. "The Amazing Spider Man"), but this movie didn't feel right.

The beginning started off the same: his parents living on Krypton ship him off the planet because it's dying. Bad guy General Zod is introduced. We got that. But then instead of giving us a quick rundown of Clark's life on Planet Earth we get him as a drifter, we see him trying to hide his powers (which is explained later why he must do so), and we see him trying to find his true parentage. In other movies we see a basic linear of his life from baby landing on Earth, quick high school, and then now. It's jumbled and muddled. The love story of Lois and Clark is...forced. And one thing which is a huge for me is the destruction of Earth. It's not original blowing up NYC or downtown. The battle scenes destroy every city they land in. AND THEY ARE LONG! It feels like the fight between the chicken and Peter Griffin on "Family Guy."

I know it's minor, but Henry's Clark Kent/Superman has a hairy chest and crooked teeth. I KNOW it's minor, but these are Godlike creatures. Hell J. J. Abrams gave Ben Affleck new chompers and he was just an astronaut. I really wish they had committed to those small details.

I think unfortunately this franchise has been done SO MANY TIMES there really aren't any surprises. This is how the movie should've bene written: show Krypton destroyed and it's main villain, quick shot of the Kents discovering Clark, raising him, his struggles in school trying to hide his gifts, him being inspired to become a journalist, then flash his dad's passing and he loses his way and stumbles on his true identity, the villain enters into the picture, Lois gets wind of the story, she and Clark meet, together they try figure out what the villain wants, Superman is introduced and Lois suspects something's up between him and Clark, they get closer to the truth, a battle ensues, and Lois figures out the truth while Clark/Superman saves the day. 

The scenes in the movie are amazing; just not put together properly.  I will say Amy Adams as Lois Lane is perfectly cast. Typically whenever I see movies with her except for "Enchanted" she seems like she is about to cry. I dunno if it's her eyes or expressions. This movie her Lois was very reminiscent of Margo Kidder's interpretation (strong female not just after a story, but the greater good). Kate Bosworth's Lois felt like she would do ANYTHING for a story and step on whomever. I really liked Amy in the role. And the brilliant (and seductive) Michael Shannon as General Zod is inspiring. He's not the typical bad guy; he has a purpose and in the end you understand why he's doing what he does. Terence Stamp as General Zod was all bad and it worked. I didn't care WHY he was the way he was (amazing actor), but this Zod has a point and purpose which I loved.

Overall I would give it 3 out of 5 stars; it was okay, but it wasn't "The Avengers." I didn't feel a clear path of what was going on and some parts I got really confused by. And the ending made me roll my eyes (given the events in the movie prior it's weird no one else recognizes him or his name but Lois). The movie wasn't horrible it just was a shell of it's former self. The special effects were amazing; I just wish the movie was just as amazing!

White House Down

 

Me: How is "White House Down" different from "Olympus Has Fallen?" Anyone? Because OHF was an amazing movie. What is Channing Tatum doing? And Jamie Foxx? UGH

I went to see this movie, and I must eat my UGH! Well at least I know how the two movies are different: story.

Yes they are both about the White House being taken over. Where OHF is about foreign terrorism WHD is about treason. That is the only spoiler you get. Which is better? You can't compare. It's like comparing a raisin to a grape. Yes they are derived from the same thing, but their textures are very different.

You can certainly reread my review of OHF, but where this movie differs is truly it's heart. Being directed by the megadirector Roland Emmerich whom brought to life "Independence Day," "2012," "10,000 B.C.," and "The Day After Tomorrow" as well as more HUGE blockbuster is just short of amazing. 

The plot of the story is President of the US Jamie Foxx (you read that right) is under siege while at the White House. Coincidentally Channing Tatum is there with his daughter for a Secret Service job interview. All three must make it out alive while also trying to figure out whom is behind this.

Three words: Ah-mah-zing! I'm done! If you want a summer blockbuster this movie is it. Not only is Channing now more of an action star than ever, but this movie is fast-paced, funny, and smart! 

"Olympus Has Fallen" is the smarter or serious version of "White House Down." Both are amazing in my mind. But you NEED to see "White House Down" on the big screen. It resonates better!

I give it 5 out of 5 stars! The perfect summer movie!

The Heat

The director of "Bridesmaids" reteams with Melissa McCarthy for this movie. He directed her into a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award nomination...this will be Best Lead Actress nomination. If you thought Melissa was funny in "Bridesmaids" you've seen NOTHING yet. 

Sandra Bullock is of course the Queen of Comedy, but Melissa is nipping at her heels. She steals EVERY scene from Sandra and they are a perfect Vince Vaughn/Owen Wilson female duo. I laughed from beginning to end and the only other movie that made me laugh this hard was "The Internship" (which critics hated).

Sandra is a NYC FBI agent tracking a known killer to Boston where she meets Boston cop Melissa McCarthy...yes I said that correct. Sandra is very much a cross between her roles in "All About Steve" blended with "Miss Congeniality" while Melissa is a Boston version of her role in "Bridesmaid" with a badge. She's really brilliant! And I can't forget the funny and incredibly sexy Adam Ray (another addition to my crush binder)!

The movie is shot almost entirely in Boston I think and my only complaint was they only showed the "gross" side of Boston. Littery, sloppy Boston. That was disappointing. Otherwise I kept seeing places I frequented while I lived there and it made me giddy lol Best part is Jane Curtin as  her mom, Michael Rappaport and Joey McIntrye as two of her brothers. Boston accents and all. There is a subplot with her stereotypical Boston family! Even Marlon Wayans is in it playing...a romantic lead! He's not goofball funny and it kinda makes him hot!

If you want a chick flick that's more along the lines of a dude movie with female leads see this movie. You will laugh and laugh and laugh. The plot is great too.  5 out of 5 stars. 

The Internship

The premise is 2 40-somethings lose their jobs in Sales (which they have had since probably college) and have to find new jobs. One stumbles an internship at Google where spending a summer with the internship program can award them a full-time job...only catch these two 40-somethings have to form a group with 20-somethings whom are FAR more advanced than they are technology-wise.

Sounds like a funny premise right? Well it is. What makes this more funny is the comedic duo from "Wedding Crashers" aka Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson. For all of you WC fans whom have been waiting for them to reteam THANK GOD they did. This movie works on so many levels. Vince Vaughn plays the same character from WC, but refreshingly enough Owen Wilson does not. He's far more upbeat and funny. 

This movie works because it speaks to older audiences that can identify with Vince and Owen but also interjects the younger set without making them feel talked down to or stupid. Generation X meet Generation Next! 

There are some scenes in the movie that feel....like a movie. But mostly I laughed so hard I was crying. One part snorting. Think "Wedding Crashers" meets "Breakfast Club." If you like these two movies then you'll love this. There are no cheap laughs or dump jokes. Everything is original and funny...belly laughing funny.

This is the perfect summer comedy and follow-up to WC. Check this one out. You won't be disappointed.

Star Trek Into Darkness

Brilliant is the only word I can use to describe this movie.

I'm not a Trekkie; I'm into movies. I saw/loved the first one. I was drawn in by the storyline and acting having not seen the TV show or previous movies. Sitting down watching the second installment I can tell it's grown. 

The first set up James Kirk as the captain of the Starship Enterprise who has a way with the ladies. This one shows he is more captain than ladies' man. He still is a player, but he's matured. He has honor. He has friends. I was THOROUGHLY impressed.

Lemme also say this I went to the movies with my brother-in-law whom is married to my sister with two children. Most masculine man I've met. He got SO into the storyline and acting I look over and this man shed a tear at one scene like it was "Titanic 2." In the 9 years I've known him, been to funerals with him, and asked about how the birth of his first child was have never seen or heard he cried. I was SHOCKED!!!!! What's that mean? This movie is amazing. To get someone as macho as my brother-in-law to shed a tear means this movie did what very few sequels can do: surpass the original.

I highly recommend this movie. You will be entertained from the beginning to the end. It's better you see the first because it makes this movie FLOW, but it's not necessary. And what I love is it's not necessary to see the first set of films/TV series. 

the one about Kim Kardashian

So my friends that know me know I'm obsessed with "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" and their spin-offs.  The question they always ask is why?

"The Osbornes" was a fun show on MTV because it was so unapologetic, and from that show Ozzy still makes music; Kelly had one or two albums but now is into fashion commentating; and Sharon is on a talk show panel "The Talk." Jack hasn't found his way yet. The one thing they always argue is "Well Ozzy is talented; Kim is famous for a sex tape." DISAGREE!

I didn't see the entire sex tape, but the clips I did see Kim was MAD boring. She just laid there. UGH I think I may have fallen asleep at one point during the clip. But I digress I think what happened was Kris Jenner said to herself "Ok my ex Robert would've killed Kim. He always took care of these kids, and I don't want his legacy of Kim to be a sextape. How can I divert attention from the sextape? Well people have always said my family should be on TV. Lemme talk to Bruce and the girls and see what we can do." 

Honestly I don't believe their personalities are exactly like they are on TV. Some situations are just so over-the-top, but I do think Khloe is exactly how she is off-screen as she is on-screen. Everyone else I think it's a heightened version of themselves. I love that they "go there" even if sometimes I get uncomfortable! And although I know Rob is a bad boy (he cheated on his gf of 2 years), he's a really good guy deep down. Sensitive and just wants to find his way. But I think the TV series was borne out of a response to the sextape NOT from it. And Ray J was not famous enough to "make her famous" in any way shape or form. He had ONE hit song and is known as "Brandy's little brother." And how did the tape get out in the first place? PLEASE! He walks around like he did something awesome when Kim is worth $40 million and he's worth about $6 million ummmm right! Say what Ray J?

What I loathe, despise, and hate are the bullies and the "haters." To me a hater is someone that says negative comments about someone out of jealousy. If you don't like the show because you think they are all talentless twits you're a hater; people have probably told you your family should be on TV, but you didn't have the balls to go after it. If you don't like the show because you don't like reality TV shows then that's fine. But hating on someone because they had the motivation and the means to do what you couldn't is just silly.

The Bullies. That'd be anyone in Hollywood that says "they are talentless twits with no future." Excuse me? Some of these A-Listers need to take a look at how they got in the business. Some have worked their way up from acting school to making their dues on soaps to struggling in bit parts while waiting tables. Now they are Academy Award nominated/winner actors/actresses. THIS IS NOT THE STORY FOR EVERYONE! Some of these "thespians" slept their way to the top, were waiters for a certain producer/director, happen to be in a park or diner when someone spotted them, walked into an open casting call, the list goes on. It's all by chance. There are enough roles and enough scripts that EVERYONE can act in. 

Halle Berry for example has been an AMAZING actress since she played a crack addict in "Jungle Fever." That was her first role after being crowned Miss Teen All American in 1985 and being a front-runner in Miss USA pageant. She was nominated for a Chicago Film Critic Award for Supporting Actress. She SHOULD'VE been nominated and won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal in "Losing Isaiah" as a drug addicted mother who cleans herself up and wants custody of her son back from his white adoptive parents. SHE WAS AMAZING! Flawless. Better than in "Monster's Ball" if you want my honesty. But she didn't have the team of campaigners on "Losing Isaiah" as she did on "Monster's Ball" which is how she won her Oscar. Since then she's been cast in movies that have failed at the box office until "The Call." But view her acting from "Jungle Fever" to "The Call" and she's consistent. My point is Halle had the right people to get her the right opportunity.

Now take Guiliana Rancic. She is an amazing newsjournalist on E! News. One day while interviewing Bill Rancic (winner of "The Apprentice") she flirted with him and they went on a date. They got married and got a reality TV show of their own. She also became a fashion consultant. Then she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and had a double mastectomy. Then their struggles of having a child via surrogate. Now all we see whenever she's on E! News or on vacation are pictures of her son and stories about him. My point Guiliana used her opportunities to further her career as well.

Hollywood is such a hypocrite in that way. Not all of it, but the ones that call themselves "great thespians" need to STFU! And guess what some of them do. That's why you have "Monster-in-Law" with the legendary Jane Fonda coming out of a semi-retirement to star alongside Jennifer Hopez. And Robert Deniro in The focker movies; Barbra Streisand in "The Guilt Trip." When you are trying to brighten your star the best way is to hop on what's hot.

The Kardashians wouldn't be popular unless people weren't watching the show. And they have fashion lines, fragrances, and books. Kim has tried the most. She's trying to find her way in Hollywood whether it be (non)singing, modeling, acting. Whatever it finally is just let her friggin be folks. And Jon Hamm shame on you. You are the biggest bully of them all. Remind me again how you got into acting? Oh that's right you dated an ACTRESS because you always wanted to act. Gotcha! I get it. You're SOOOOOOOOO much more deserving of being in Hollywood than anyone else. SIT THE EFF DOWN! UGH I really can't stand the snobbery of some actors.

And now people are making fun of her cuz she's pregnant? So first you make fun of her for being single, then for dating, now while she's pregnant? WTF can she do right?! Seriously! Is this what you are teaching your kids? To be hateful towards things you disagree with. Granted if I met Jon Hamm I'd likely ignore him. I would rather keep my opinions about him to myself than scream and yell at him. And PETA can eff off. If I met anyone at PETA I would tell them they are wrong what they do. One of their supporters flour bombed Kim. Yes she wears fur. Yes it's morally wrong. But as my brother-in-law said to my nephew "Use your words." And when they finally released a statement they said "Well we didn't contract that woman to do what she did to Kim, but she deserved it." WHAT?! How about peacefully protesting things? Signs and saying something's wrong is one thing. Saying "you deserved what you got" is another. What if that wasn't flour but something worse? UGH!

What I think they should focus on is their TV shows and ventures. Kim started off as a closet organizer to celebrities (going into their closets and helping arrange, organize, and style). They should focus on fashion and fragrances and accessories and books. The things that made them famous. The newer generation Kendall & Kylie will be huge fashion models especially Kendall. Kylie will probably get into music I bet. But I think Kris as their momager should tap into the great parts of each of them and help pull that out of them and not have them all do the same thing. Did you know they own 3 Dash stores (LA, NYC, & Miami) that do very well?

So let me be clear I love the show; Khloe is my favorite; and if you don't like them that's fine, but root it in something you yourself believe after researching them not being a follower regurgitating something you've heard. POW!