Monthly Archives: July 2013
R.I.P. Dennis Farina
Dennis Farina passed away today in Scottsdale, Arizona at the age of 69. The cause of death is unknown, but what is known is that the world lost a superb character actor. (It was released later on that he died of a blood clot in his lung.)
Farina was in television and movies for 31 years. He is probably best known for his parts in Snatch. (2000) and Saving Private Ryan (1998). He was also in 46 episodes of “Law & Order” from 2004-2006. I especially liked his characters in Snatch. and Stealing Harvard (2002). He usually played a tough-guy character, but he had a way of being funny at the same time. It was a sort of charm that most people don’t possess and he will be missed.
Rest in Peace Dennis Farina.
Now In Theatres Movie Reviews July 19th – 25th
Now In Theatres Movie Reviews July 19th – 25th
Click here for Now In Theatres Movie Reviews August 23rd – 29th
I have not seen all of the movies that are currently in theatres right now, but I have seen and reviewed 24 of them. Some of the films have been in theatres for a while now and others are newer releases. If you are having trouble deciding what movie to see in theatres, I hope that you will consult my list for help. Movie ticket prices are pretty expensive these days, and I might be able to help save you some of your hard earned cash. My ratings will help you decide what are the best movies currently in theatres and what are the worst movies currently in theatres. Also, at the bottom of the list I have provided you with previews of movies that are out that I have not seen yet.
Click on each title below for a preview, poster artwork, and my full review of that movie:
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
Oz The Great and Powerful (2013)
The Place Beyond the Pines (2013)
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013)
Click on each title below for a preview and poster artwork of that movie along with my opinion of whether or not I think that film will be any good:
I hope that you find my reviews helpful. I will continue to update this list when I have seen more movies, so feel free to check back regularly. Also, I plan on making a new list each week as more films are released. Happy movie watching from www.brockingmovies.com
Click on this link for Now In Theatres Movie Reviews July 26th – August 1st
Movie Picture of the Day 7/21/13
The always lovable legendary John Candy as Uncle Buck in the film Uncle Buck (1989).
The Conjuring (2013)
The Conjuring (2013)
For those of you that you know me, you know that I am a horror movie skeptic. I get fed up with the endless slasher films and b-rated crap out there, so I usually only watch a horror movie if I think that it has potential. With that said, I showed up to watch The Conjuring on opening night in theatres.
The film is supposedly based on a true story. It follows Ed and Lorraine Warren who are known as demonologists, or paranormal investigators. The couple is called upon for help from a family who are experiencing horrific unexplained events in their new house. The movie tells the story of the case that turned out to be the most disturbing during their entire career as investigators.
The movie was directed by James Wan and the noteworthy cast includes Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor, Shanley Caswell, Hayley McFarland, Joey King, Mackenzie Foy, Kyla Deaver, Shannon Kook, and John Brotherton.
The Conjuring was spooky. The film does a wonderful job of gradually building the tension until the creepy climax of the story where horror is all over the screen. You’ll be able to feel the tingling down your spine from the chilling images scattered throughout the movie.
I think that I expected the film to be scarier. However, it did have a good amount of horror throughout. It was very tastefully made. It definitely didn’t feel like it tried too hard. It turned out to be just the right amount of freaky. Any more might have made it less believable.
For a horror movie, the acting was pretty decent, especially from Farmiga and Taylor. This was a major contributing factor to the quality of the film because more often than not, scary movies have poor actors.
The movie was slow at times, but that didn’t really take away from it. It just took its’ time building the tension.
The special effects were spooktastic and very haunting. It’s amazing what they can do these days.
Overall, if you are looking for a good creepshow, then look no further than The Conjuring. It could quite possibly be the best horror movie of the year.
I rate this movie an 8.5 on a scale of 1-10.
Buy, rent, or run? Buy.
Movie Picture of the Day 7/20/13
Russell Crowe fought with strength and honor in probably the greatest epic film ever made, Gladiator (2000).
Happy Birthday to Ray Allen
Happy Birthday to Ray Allen! The greatest 3-point shooter to ever live turns 38 years old today.
Allen acted opposite Denzel Washington in the movie He Got Game (1998). Apparently he was also in Harvard Man (2001), which I have not seen.
Ray is an okay actor, but an amazing basketball player. Most recently he can be credited for winning the 2013 NBA Finals for the Miami Heat. The San Antonio Spurs had the Heat backed into a corner. Lebron James couldn’t finish, so it took a real superstar (Ray Allen) to knock down a 3-pointer at the buzzer in game 6, that ultimately won the Championship. It was a dagger through the heart of the Spurs and Allen did the stabbing. If it weren’t for Ray, the Heat would have lost.
Ray Allen has probably the purest shot that I have ever seen. I will never forget the 2008 NBA Finals when he helped the Boston Celtics claim victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
It was tough to see him leave the Celtics and go over to the darkside. In my mind he will always be a Celtic. He definitely Got Game!
Movie Picture of the Day 7/19/13
Will Ferrell rocking the jazz flute like nobody else ever could in the comedy Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004).
I’m looking forward to Anchorman: The Legend Continues (2013) later this year. I’m amazed that it took them 9 years before they made a sequel.
Movie Picture of the Day 7/18/13
John Malkovich stealing the show in the movie Red (2010). Do you think that he will do it again in Red 2 (2013)? (Click on the title to find out what I thought)
Stoker (2013)
Stoker (2013)
Stoker is a well-made, bizarre dysfunctional drama that is difficult to like, yet hard to stop watching. The acting was very solid. The dialogue was very delicately written. The editing was fantastic. However, the story was bitterly perverse. It was fine writing, but twisted subject matter. The filmmakers took a pretty messed up story and through the art of storytelling, they dressed it up and made it almost hypnotic.
Some parts of the movie were predictable, while others completely took me by surprise. For the most part, the film keeps you guessing throughout.
After the death of her father, India (Mia Wasikowska) and her mother (Nicole Kidman) are visited by his brother (Matthew Goode) whom she never knew existed. He decides to move in with them. Why she had not met him before is a mystery in itself. Why he waited to visit until after her father died is puzzling. His presence is disturbing and India becomes obsessed with learning more about him and what he wants.
The film is directed by Chan-wook Park and the rest of the noteworthy cast includes Dermot Mulroney, Jacki Weaver, Alden Ehrenreich, Lucas Till, and Phyllis Somerville.
In Stoker, Wasikowska proves that she has the ability to carry the majority of a film by herself. She is an excellent actress and I wouldn’t be surprised if she gets an Academy Award nomination in the near future.
Kidman continues to choose darker roles and this one turns out to be one of her better performances in recent years. Given her recent movies, that might not be saying that much.
This is the first film that I have seen Goode in and I thought that he was superb.
When the credits rolled, it was hard to tell right away if I liked or disliked the film. In that sense, it sort of toyed with my emotions. It does a great job of being disturbing.
If you are looking for a positive and uplifting movie, Stoker is not for you. If you like twisted dysfunctional stories, then you will probably enjoy this film.
I rate this movie a 7 on a scale of 1-10.
Buy, rent, or run? Rent.
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