Star Trek Into Darkness is a strange hybrid of a movie. Unlike its predecessor, which was extremely accessible to a general audience, Star Trek Into Darkness is a Star Trek movie for Star Trek fans. Full enjoyment of the film requires at least a passing knowledge and appreciation of the classic Star Trek II: the Wrath of Kahn.
Star Trek Into Darkness is so replete with references to, winks at, and juxtapositions against Star Trek II that it is hard for this Trekker to evaluate it apart from its inspiration. If you are a fan of the original series and
Iron Man 3
by Ronald A. Rowe May 7th, 2013 | Action, Movie Reviews
Iron Man 3 is an intelligent, funny, and charming take on the Superhero Action genre. The third (and final?) installment in the Iron Man franchise is a worthy -- although altogether different -- successor to the previous blockbusters. Iron Man 2 was in the rare class of sequels that many considered equal if not superior to the original. Iron Man 3 isn’t better than its predecessors. It isn’t worse, either. It is decidedly different.
The main premise of Iron Man 3 is that Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) -- not Tony Stark in a super high tech suit of armor
The main premise of Iron Man 3 is that Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) -- not Tony Stark in a super high tech suit of armor
Pain and Gain
by Ronald A. Rowe April 30th, 2013 | Comedy, Movie Reviews
Pain and Gain, a most un-Michael Bay-like Michael Bay movie, tells the putatively true story of the Sun Gym gang and their bumbling attempts at a criminal career. Daniel Lugo, played by Mark Wahlberg, is a muscle-bound fitness instructor who dreams of a better life. After participating in an empowerment seminar (presented with great flair by Ken Jeong) Lugo decides that his three part plan for success involves kidnapping a rich but unpleasant acquaintance, Victor Kershaw (Tony Shalhoub) and forcing him to sign over all his assets.
Lugo is joined in his scheme by his friend Adrian (Anthony Mackie) and
Lugo is joined in his scheme by his friend Adrian (Anthony Mackie) and
Oblivion
by Ronald A. Rowe April 23rd, 2013 | Movie Reviews, Sci-Fi
Oblivion is a new science fiction film starring Tom Cruise. The film is, in a word, complicated. Not “complex” as in a multi-layered narrative that requires the viewer to pay sharp attention to detail. “Complicated” as in there’s a whole array of strange and sometimes disjointed story points bumping together. Sometimes complicated works. Other times it doesn’t.
If at all possible, try to avoid watching the trailers for the film if you are planning to see Oblivion. Some of the clever plot twists were completely and irrevocably spoiled in the commercials. The marketing department of Universal Studios did not do
If at all possible, try to avoid watching the trailers for the film if you are planning to see Oblivion. Some of the clever plot twists were completely and irrevocably spoiled in the commercials. The marketing department of Universal Studios did not do
Olympus Has Fallen
by Ronald A. Rowe April 10th, 2013 | Action, Movie Reviews
In the two and a half decades since Die Hard pioneered a sub-genre of action films, the “40 stories. Twelve terrorists. One Cop.” formula has been copied over and over again. We’ve seen Die Hard on a Boat, Die Hard on a Plane, Die Hard on a Bus, etc., etc. The latest entry in the long line of Die Hard knock offs is Die Hard in the White House, better known as Olympus Has Fallen.
One of the enjoyable facets of this category of film is the cleverness of the villain’s plan to take over the office building, battleship, airplane,
One of the enjoyable facets of this category of film is the cleverness of the villain’s plan to take over the office building, battleship, airplane,