By Renee’ Collins Rating: 2.5 (Out of 5 Reels) I went into this film expecting a testosterone festival and I got exactly what I expected. As a war between humankind and monstrous sea creatures wages on, a former pilot and a trainee are paired up to drive a seemingly obsolete special weapon in a desperate… Continue reading Review: PACIFIC RIM
Category: Film Reviews
Review: GROWN UPS 2
By Mark Saldana Rating: 1 (Out of 4 Stars) I received some grief from friends and fellow critics for actually enjoying the first Grown Ups and for giving it a favorable review (3 Stars). The humor in that Happy Madison movie is juvenile and sophomoric, but what can I say? It made me laugh. I… Continue reading Review: GROWN UPS 2
Review: PACIFIC RIM
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) As a kid I grew up watching animated stories of robots or robot-like machines operated by people (mecha). In fact, my first exposure to Japanese anime came courtesy of cable television which would broadcast the Force Five episodes that inspired the Shogun Warrior toys. As a… Continue reading Review: PACIFIC RIM
Review: THE WAY WAY BACK
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) After reading a synopsis of this film or watching a trailer, one might question the need for another coming-of-age summer vacation movie. Especially after watching and enjoying The Kings of Summer quite recently, not to mention years of countless other films I watched in my youth,… Continue reading Review: THE WAY WAY BACK
Review: DESPICABLE ME 2
By Renee’ Collins Rating: 4.5 (Out 0f 5 Reels) I truly enjoyed the first Despicable Me film and looked forward to seeing the latest installment. What drew me into liking the first film was the dynamic between Gru (Steve Carell) a master villain and three orphans who come to his door to sell him cookies… Continue reading Review: DESPICABLE ME 2
Review: DESPICABLE ME 2
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Despicable Me 2 is one of those rare sequels that manages to deliver more laughs and entertainment than its predecessor. While I enjoyed the first film, I left this sequel feeling nostalgic as this film obviously channels the spirit of Tex Avery who made his mark… Continue reading Review: DESPICABLE ME 2
Review: THE LONE RANGER
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Humor, realism, heroic action, peril, fantasy and drama are all elements that a good hero story should have. As with my review of Man of Steel, I will delve into these elements and how the right mix/balance of all these ingredients can make or break a… Continue reading Review: THE LONE RANGER
Review: THE LONE RANGER
By Laurie Coker Rating: C+/B- “Hi-Yo, Silver away!” Leaping on to screens for a long 149 minutes of run time, The Lone Ranger, starring Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp, annoys as much as it unabashedly entertains. For year, in my youth (in reruns and in black and white), The Lone Ranger and Tonto fought crime… Continue reading Review: THE LONE RANGER
Review: DESPICABLE ME 2
By Laurie Coker Rating: B There are simply still not enough kid and adult friendly films out there for my taste. As a grandmother, I am constantly working to find creative and engaging ways to entertain my favorite little people. As my youngest grandchild nears the two and a half year mark, she’s actually getting… Continue reading Review: DESPICABLE ME 2
Review: THE HEAT
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Bridesmaids director Paul Feig tackles a buddy-cop comedy bringing back his Bridesmaids break-out star Melissa McCarthy, but the results are a bit mixed. Actually, this comes as a relief to me as I felt somewhat burned by how bad McCarthy’s Identity Thief turned out. On… Continue reading Review: THE HEAT