The World’s End: Review

From the creators of Shaun of the Dead (2004) and Hot Fuzz (2007) comes the comedy film that not only brings a fitting end to summer, but a hysterically dramatic end to the incomparable Cornetto Trilogy.
Twenty years ago, 5 friends began a quest at The First Post to achieve the epic pub crawl better known as The Golden Mile. Needless to say, they never made it.

Gary King (Simon Pegg) the once great king of Newton Haven has grown up to become The Famous Cock, but he still lives in the past. The King’s Head is not quite in the right place as he still yearns to finish The Golden Mile. Andy Knightley (Nick Frost) once The Trusty Servant and best friend to Gary “the King”, has moved on to being a big shot lawyer after a falling out with his friend and works to erase the memories of Newton Haven. Oliver Chamberlain (Martin Freeman) The Two Headed Dog, a blue tooth addicted realtor who seems to have his head in two places at once. Then we come to The Old Familiar, Peter Page (Eddie Marsan) the childhood scarred weakling who still works for his father at the family car dealership. Steve Prince (Paddy Considine) The Hole in the Wall who has had a lifelong crush on Oliver’s sister, but who has always lived in Gary’s shadow. Finally, we acquaint ourselves with Sam Chamberlain, (Rosamund Pike) The Mermaid and sister to Oliver who is also visiting Newton Haven, unaware that the prodigal sons have returned. All The Good Companions reunite to reattempt the completion of the pub crawl of all time. The Cross Hands of camaraderie empower them in their home town, little knowing they all have walked Into The Beehive of a robot armada. Even after figuring out the mind turning truth that has plagued the town for years, the five musketeers keep trying to complete 12 pubs and 60 pints all the way to The World’s End.

This uproarious and witty cast of characters fused with an original and cunning story makes for the best of summer. Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg have outdone themselves in the glory of the final installment of the Three Flavored Cornetto Trilogy.

Each film in the Three Flavored Cornetto trilogy is unique. All three films stand out in their own inventive way, but The World’s End has set a new bar for sci-fi comedies. All things as sensational as this must come to an end. It is always hard to see the conclusion of something, especially a terrific movie franchise. The World’s End is the proper ending to an exciting trilogy of films. The World’s End is the motion picture event of the summer.
4 stars

Hot Fuzz: Review

From the creators of Shaun of the Dead (2004), comes the new hit comedy that is a "No holds barred, adrenaline fueled, thrill ride."1 that will have you ensnared in its cunning, yet sidesplitting story. This hilarious cast includes Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Academy Award winner Jim Broadbent, and Timothy Dalton.

Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg reunite to write this crazy, inventive and very enjoyable action-packed buddy cop comedy that puts other action movies to shame. Not since Shaun of the Dead has British humor been as explosively entertaining and original.

Super cop, Nicholas Angel's (Simon Pegg) entire life revolves around his job on the force. He has been reassigned from the dangerous streets of London to Sanford, the quaint and quiet, village of the year holder. Danny Butterman (Nick Frost) a constable of Sanford is also the son to Chief Inspector Frank Butterman (Jim Broadbent), is a movie fanatic who lives vicariously through the action films he adores and wouldn’t mind to stop for a Cornetto. This most unlikely pair brings comical chemistry to the already sidesplitting story.

Timothy Dalton was malevolently Machiavellian as Simon Skinner the owner of Somerfeld supermarket. Not for years has Dalton been as mesmerizingly cunning.

Hot Fuzz has definitely left its mark in cinemas everywhere. This film is the epitome of British humor. Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg have perfected yet another genre that filmmakers and audiences alike can see how a sensational film is made or as the NWA of Sanford says the greater good.

4 stars

Shaun Of The Dead: Review

British humor takes a cricket bat in the right direction, straight into a zombie's head. Shaun of the Dead delivers romance, comedy, and of course, flesh eating zombies. This film is guaranteed to give you a horrifying good time.

Recently dumped, Shaun (Simon Pegg) is a Mummy's boy whose job and love life are as dead as a zombie. Ed (Nick Frost) is his lazy, unsophisticated closest friend and roommate whose brain is as lifeless as the undead. Together they would rather sit on the sofa, drink beer, eat a Cornetto and play video games, or head to their favorite pub, The Winchester, for a night of beer and darts than take any kind of responsibility in their lives. This quirky pair is the comedy duo of the film's impending apocalypse. These ne'er-do-wells are sidesplittingly and comically clever in their inept attempt to save the two women that Shaun holds dearest to his heart.

The story and screenplay is crafted and executed to perfection; conceived by the cunning collaborative minds of Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg. Reanimating the lifeless genre to perfection; the king of the zombies, George A. Romero, calls Shaun Of The Dead "An Absolute Blast!"

Take car, go to the theater, buy popcorn and your favorite beverage, and enjoy zombie induced, throat ripping laughter in the zombie comedy that is breathing fresh life into the horror comedy genre. Shaun of the Dead creates a new standard for all horror comedies, or as the British say "how's that for a slice of fried gold?"

4 Stars

Pacific Rim: Review

Guillermo Del Toro, the director of Hellboy and the Oscar winning motion picture Pan’s Labyrinth, brings us the action blockbuster hit of the year, Pacific Rim. Pacific Rim has you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire film.

Humanity had always thought extra terrestrial life would come from the stars but they came from deep in the Pacific. These creatures are known as Kaiju. Humanity's last hope for survival was to create monsters of their own which they call Jaegers. These Jaegers are piloted between two humans who together merge into what they call the D.RI.F.T which allows a team member access to each other’s memories. The stronger the bond, the more efficient a fighting team they become in the fight against the Kaiju.

Every scene when the Jaegers and the Kaiju have a confrontation is an epic fight sequence, with heart pounding action that sends quivers and chills up your spine. The visuals that are used for these scenes as well as the whole picture are the best that I have seen all year. The colossal fighting is literally Godzilla on steroids!! No other film this year has come close.

In my opinion, the actor who really shined was Charlie Day (Its Always Sunny In Philadelphia) who was show stopping and comically clever. During the times that it wasn't a giant monster smack down I could always rely on Charlie Day to keep me entertained.

Ron Perlman was remarkably entertaining in his portrayal of Hannibal Chau, the ruthless black market businessman. He explains his name: “I took it from my favorite historical figure and second-favorite Szechuan restaurant in Brooklyn.”(Ron Perlman) I especially enjoyed when Ron Perlman shared the screen with Charlie Day; they were more than just D.R.I.F.T compatible.

Guillermo Del Toro has done a superb job in creating the perfect action film of the summer, scratch that, the perfect action film of the year. This is the blockbuster movie that this summer unquestionably needed. The ensemble is momentous and cannot go unnoticed. So I inform you all: Go see this movie! Oh, and don’t be in a rush to leave the theater. I urge you to watch the ending credits, it will be well worth the wait.

4 stars

LES MISERABLES: REVIEW

Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Samantha Barks, Golden Globe winner, Sacha Baron Cohen, Academy Awards nominee, Helena Bonham Carter, and Academy Award Winner, Russell Crowe star in this beautifully recreated award winning Broadway show, Les Miserables. Each scene is perfectly merged with superb music and drama, with a little dip of romance and a little touch of comedy. It is hard to compare the cast of the original Broadway Show to the cast of the motion picture but the ensemble in this film has proven more than worthy.

Not to mention each and every song was unquestionably mesmerizing from beginning to end. Only gifted actors like the Les Mis cast could pull off singing live throughout filming. I felt they were destined to play their roles. Hugh Jackman's performance of Jean Valjean executes the overwhelming drama, courage, and kindness of his captivating character. In the scene, Valjean's Soliloquy, Jackman, in undoubtedly the best performance of his career, exhibits enough charismatic emotion to bring him home the Academy Award.

Every protagonist needs an antagonist and Russell Crowe serves the role as Javert sensationally. Dogging Valjean's every step, Javert is relentless in his pursuit of justice. During Javert's final scene,Crowe emits a multitude of emotions that will make even a heart of stone tremble. Russell Crowe will surely get a nomination for best supporting actor.

In every drama there needs to be a character or two to balance and add a bit of comedy. Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter are fiendishly funny in their show stopping scene, Master of the House. You will literally be laughing out loud and singing out "Everybody bless the landlord, everybody bless his spouse" . Their performance makes you want to raise a glass to the Master of the House!

But the star who really shined the brightest and can't go unmentioned was Anne Hathaway. Her role of Fantine was unforgettable. The emotion she infused into that character could only be pulled off by such a mesmerizing actress. Anne Hathaway and her performance is destined for Oscar Gold.

Les Miserables is definitely one of the best films of the year. This emotionally captivating story nails everything from its A list cast to its musical talents. It is not a film to be missed by any cinema lover.

4 stars

The Lone Ranger: Review

Walt Disney pictures director Gore Verbinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, the crew that brought us the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise bring the beloved radio series, The Lone Ranger to the big screen in Disney’s Wild Western.

It is truly hard to remake such a cherished series especially one that’s been around since 1933 and Disney’s version of The Lone Ranger isn’t dreadful but it definitely isn’t high-quality.

The biggest letdown of the lone ranger was the transition between the 1800s where the lone ranger and Tonto’s quest is filled with the action and thrills to the 1900s where a young wannabe cowboy child is talking to the nearly 100 year old Tonto who is telling the story which takes more than you can believe out of the experience of this film. I do have to admit that throughout the whole movie I was always entertained, not once did I feel my price of admission was wasted.

Johnny Depp, yet again is breathtaking as the Lone Ranger’s faithful, and I use that term loosely, companion. Without Tonto the film would not nearly be as thrillingly entertaining and hilarious. Jay Silverheels, Tonto in the television series could not compare to the genius of Johnny Depp’s witty, quirky and unforgettable personality.

Armie Hammer has come a long way from student number 2 in Arrested Development and finds himself a star in a 250 Million dollar motion picture. He is remarkable as kemosabe A.K.A the Lone Ranger is a rigid character who can only see in black and white when it comes to the letter of the law. In short, he is a putz. No one could pull off Clayton Moore’s Lone Ranger in the television series but Armie Hammer works hard but doesn’t quite deliver. He does show that he has potential to be a remarkable actor given the right vehicle.

The Lone Ranger may not be the summer blockbuster people were hoping for, but it is entertaining and an exciting way to kill 2 and a half hours on a hot summer’s eve. It is awfully good to hear that Lone Ranger theme once again, it’s just unfortunate the film wasn’t as good as the music.


2 and one half stars

R.I.P.D: Review

Quite possibly the vilest movie of the summer gives us nearly everything we despise in any motion picture R.I.P.D the expensive disaster of a movie of the summer has officially R.I.P.D of the beloved series Men in Black. The humor is downright sloppy, the CGI is repulsive, and the story is horribly written but most importantly nothing works.

After the first half hour of listening to Ryan Reynolds whine and complain you just want to kill him all over again and be rid of him. It would have been much more entertaining if instead of always seeing Reynolds I would rather see his Chinese avatar.

The film’s only redeeming quality is Jeff Bridges, who executes the role of a “Lawman” cowboy from the 1800s every western word he utters, is comically clever. But even Jeff bridges couldn’t heal what has already destroyed a outright horrendous disaster of a film all I can say after watching R.I.P.D is why would they make something like that!?!

One star