RED TAILS (Jan 20, 2012)

Starring:  Cuba Gooding Jr., Gerald McRaney, David Oyelowo, and Andre Royo

Director:  Anthony Hemingway

Rated: PG-13  -  Runtime: 121 min

Genre:  Action | Adventure | Drama | History | War

This film is a Hollywood depiction of a true story.  Even though I'm not old enough to know the actual events this was a great film, and hopefully it depicts the events to a "T".  You'll want to take the whole family to see this one.  
Lots of excitement, good 'dogfighting' scenes, and an epic story of how an Afro-American squadron of pilots fought during WWII.  With all odds against them ever taking the skies, only faith in them from Col A.J. Bullard got them there wish and were allowed to fight as equals against the Nazi's.

Bottom line,  The entire audience gave an applause when the film ended.  Hmm, I'm going to take that as a big plus on the side of the movie goer!  Very seldom does a movie draw an applause such as this one.  To the writer and director, Great Job!  Excellent content, and good acting for the most part gives this film a thumbs up!

My Rating: 4 Mugs of Guinness - aka; 4 Stars for those not enjoying the better life with Irish Ale.

“Let’s Talk Movies” All input is appreciated, and I hope you come back here after every movie and let us know how you rate it.  Don’t forget to become a fan, and use the boxes below to give your reaction to it - Good, Bad, or Ugly...  Also, please help in getting this site greater recognition by clicking on the box “Recommend this on Google” (it’s the +1 box).

AZ-Tom

HAYWIRE (Jan 20, 2012)

Starring:  Gina Carano, Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender, and Michael Angarano

Director:  Steven Soderbergh

Rated: R  -  Runtime: 93 min

Genre:  Action | Thriller

This film has an energy that exceeds Ms. Carano’s appearances in previous movies that I’ve seen.  You’re gonna find Excitement, Action, and Drama in nearly every scene and a draw to her performance that leaves you wanting for the sequel.  Just wait for the final scene, you can’t miss it!

Malory (Gina Carano), having been sent out on a mission to bring one man to freedom, or so it appeared, is immediately sent on another....one to be a “paid vacation” for her.  Instead she finds herself in the midst of a upside down operation.  Finding herself to be the intended victim, and vengeance is her only option.  Find the reason,  and kill those in charge of this set-up.

The acting was great, the action was better, and the fight scenes were awesome!!!!!

She brings to the screen yet another woman in a list of others who is not only good looking, but can kick some serious ass!   Action Junkies, You’re gonna love this one!!

My Rating: 4 Mugs of Guinness - aka; 4 Stars for those not enjoying the better life with Irish Ale.

“Let’s Talk Movies” All input is appreciated, and I hope you come back here after every movie and let us know how you rate it.  Don’t forget to become a fan, and use the boxes below to give your reaction to it - Good, Bad, or Ugly...  Also, please help in getting this site greater recognition by clicking on the box “Recommend this on Google” (it’s the +1 box).

AZ-Tom

EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE (Jan 20, 2012)

Starring:  Thomas Horn, Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, and Max von Sydow

Director:  Stephen Daldry

Rated: PG-13  -  Runtime: 129 min

Genre:  Drama

Initial release date: Dec 25, 2011

Here is a movie you will enjoy completely!  The content is extremely interesting and the acting throughout the movie is superb.  If you have a question about the child playing the part and how Thomas Horn (Oskar Schell) won the Critics Choice Award for Best Young Actor/Actress, all your questions will be answered!  The performance by Horn in this movie was outstanding.  I think we should look forward to seeing more from this young actor in the future.

I left the theater pleased with everything about this film.  My only regret was that we didn’t get to see this sooner, and that the Oscar Nominations didn’t agree with me in that Horn’s performance was worthy of the Oscar nod.

My Rating: 4 1/2 Mugs of Guinness - aka; 4 1/2 Stars for those not enjoying the better life with Irish Ale.

“Let’s Talk Movies” All input is appreciated, and I hope you come back here after every movie and let us know how you rate it.  Don’t forget to become a fan, and use the boxes below to give your reaction to it - Good, Bad, or Ugly...  Also, please help in getting this site greater recognition by clicking on the box “Recommend this on Google” (it’s the +1 box).

AZ-Tom

UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING (Jan 20, 2012)

Starring:  Kate Beckinsale, Michael Ealy, India Eisley, and Stephen Rea

Director:  Mans Marlind, and Bjorn Stein

Rated: R  -  Runtime: 88 min

Genre:  Action | Fantasy | Horror

This is going to very short, and for all you UNDERWORLD followers you will like it!!

ACTION, ACTION, ACTION......IT’S AWESOME, WORTH EVERY MINUTE OF WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR, and SHE’s AS GREAT AS EVER!  Welcome back to Underworld Kate... 

Don’t waste any time getting out to see this one, You won’t be disappointed. p.s. Don't miss it in IMAX 3D if you have the opportunity - The Wow Factor!.

My Rating: 4 1/2 Mugs of Guinness - aka; 4 1/2 Stars for those not enjoying the better life with Irish Ale.

“Let’s Talk Movies” All input is appreciated, and I hope you come back here after every movie and let us know how you rate it.  Don’t forget to become a fan, and use the boxes below to give your reaction to it - Good, Bad, or Ugly...  Also, please help in getting this site greater recognition by clicking on the box “Recommend this on Google” (it’s the +1 box).

AZ-Tom

CONTRABAND (Jan 13, 2012)

Starring:  Mark Wahlberg, Giovanni Ribisi, and Kate Beckinsale

Director:  Baltasar Kormakur

Rated: R  -  Runtime: 110 min

Genre:  Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Great action movie, and for any of you that are Wahlberg fans in my estimation this is one of the best movies in which we have seen him in some time.  I was pleasantly surprised with the content, and the acting in the movie.  So many times we see a movie with a lot of action but simply lacking in plot.  This movie draws you into the story in so many ways and keeps your attention throughout.

Delivering plenty of action from the very outset of the film and continuing throughout, ending with the unusual ending of the good guy turned bad guy gets away with the crime in a very unusual manor.  I didn’t like the scene where Beckinsale gets the crap beat out of her (unlike the Beckinsale we’ll see shortly in Underworld:Awakening), but it’s the part she had... And she played it well.  You will enjoy it all from start to end!  Guaranteed!

My Rating: 4 Mugs of Guinness - aka; 4 Stars for those not enjoying the better life with Irish Ale.

“Let’s Talk Movies” All input is appreciated, and I hope you come back here after every movie and let us know how you rate it.  Don’t forget to become a fan, and use the boxes below to give your reaction to it - Good, Bad, or Ugly...  Also, please help in getting this site greater recognition by clicking on the box “Recommend this on Google” (it’s the +1 box).

AZ-Tom

JOYFUL NOISE (Jan 13, 2012)

Starring:  Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton, Keke Palmer, and Jeremy Jordan

Director & Writer: Todd Graff

Rated: PG-13  -  Runtime: 118 min

Genre:  Comedy | Music

The movie overall was fairly good, I can’t quite bring myself to get both thumbs up but I did manage to get one up.  The Queen (Vi Rose Hill) has played better parts before this one, Dolly (G.G. Sparrow) is showing her age and her acting hasn’t improved.  With that said, the singing in the movie will grab you if you are a gospel kind of person.  If gospel music isn’t your forte then I think you aught to pass on this one.

Keke Palmer (Olivia Hill) and Jeremy Jordan (Randy Garrity) bring to the screen some great vocals and both show alot of talent in that.  Their acting skills are present as well and bring to the film a persona that we can look forward to in the future.

Good ole Kris Kristofferson (Bernard Sparrow) managed to make it to the screen again, this time they gave him cameo intro and then he dies.  Bummer, Kris is gone..... We will miss you now that your gone Mr. K.

My Rating: 2 Mugs of Guinness - aka; 2 Stars for those not enjoying the better life with Irish Ale.

“Let’s Talk Movies” All input is appreciated, and I hope you come back here after every movie and let us know how you rate it.  Don’t forget to become a fan, and use the boxes below to give your reaction to it - Good, Bad, or Ugly...  Also, please help in getting this site greater recognition by clicking on the box “Recommend this on Google” (it’s the +1 box).

AZ-Tom

CARNAGE (Dec 16, 2011)

Starring:  Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, John C. Reilly, and Christoph Waltz

Director:  Roman Polanski

Rated: R  -  Runtime:  79 min

Genre:  Comedy | Drama

Finally it opened in the Phoenix area.... Now I can tell you what I thought about the movie.  

I am still wondering where the money went, it had a budget of $25 million and they managed to film the entirety of the film in 3 rooms of an apartment or condo. Penelope Longstreet (Jodie Foster) looked like she has just been through a nervous breakdown and if this is what the script writer had in mind here then it was portrayed excellently.  I need to say that the acting from the 4 actors in this film worked together quite nicely to bring to the screen a portrayal of 2 sets of parents each looking out for their own child.  In the end, they all get drunk and the story ends... No closure whatsoever, leaves the movie goer wanting more.

It’s one you should go and see if you have 79 minutes to waste, and some money you want to throw away.  Otherwise, don’t bother, and whatever you do, don’t feel that you missed out on a stellar performance by either Ms Foster or Ms Winslet.  The best scene in the entire film is when Nancy Cowan (Kate Winslet) “looses her cookies” all over Penelope’s irreplaceable art books that are on the coffee table.  Wow, it looked way to real...

Note: The two actresses in the film (Kate Winslet, and Jodie Foster) received nominations for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy from the Golden Globe Awards, neither won the category, but hey, they got nominated!