Knight & Day

When I first saw this trailer I knew immediately I wanted to see this film. The Story is all about a woman's world colliding with a CIA operative. Let the hilarity ensue. I felt this movie had some laugh out loud moments where I could keep laughing if I didn't restrain myself due to wanting others to enjoy the film. It was just fun through and through. I saw an interview that claimed Tom Cruise does most of his stunts which always adds something to me in a film. I even enjoyed Cameron Diaz performance where sometimes she misses the mark, in my book she did fairly good going up with Cruise himself. Chemistry was pretty good between the two when ever it didn't feel like it connected I would justify it by the two characters have really only known each other for a couple of days. All and all a pretty good film that will get you laughing out loud for one moment where Cruise constantly drugs Diaz for her own protection. 4 out of 5, this would have received an extra .5 but there was a little cheesiness.

Karate Kid

If we had any doubts that Jaden Smith was the product of Will Smith all your doubts would be set aside from this film. Jaden does an excellent job in this classic remake. I thought the pacing was a little slow but thought to myself well the pay off will just have to be bigger and it was. Through the well choreographed fighting to the emotional character choices by Jackie Chan it all came together. I easily can say this is Jackie Chan's best acting in any film he's done to date. We know Chan can fight but he also proves his depth to his acting. I believe this heartfelt movie should be seen by the whole family.
Now if you're trying to save some money you can also rent it as I don't think much will be lost to the small screen, as it is so story driven. But it is a must see even if it's only to compare it to the orignal, p.s. it matches up to the original really closely. 4.5 out of 5.

A-Team

This is one of those films that could have gone either way, been really well done or a sad knock off of the original. I completely loved this movie. This movie let me know that Summer of 2010 had finally arrived. The action wasn't to overwhelming they made sure to move the story along and kept you guessing the whole time. I felt like it was a perfect blend of action, story, and comedy.
The only lacking thing was perhaps Quinton Rampage's performance. He turned Mr. T's iconic character "B.A." into a whinny little punk. Although my take could be effected do to his loss from Rashad Evans. Now Rampage's performance wasn't the worse it just seemed to not be as strong as Mr. T's. I will point out an excellent performance by Sharlto Copley as Murdock. Copley is one of those actor's you don't even recognize from one film to the next. He had the leading role in District 9 and in A-Team it was neat to see him as someone completely different, I believed him the whole time. I would easily say 4.5 out of 5. A Must See Summer Blockbuster now you must like Action and plenty of Green Screen!

Killers

Now My wife and I had our first outing in town without the boy child and naturally we went to the movies. This summer seems to have a couple movies that seem a little reminiscent of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. This film and Knight and Day being the two that stand out.
I was actually pleasantly surprised with this film. I loved the chemistry between Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl. When it comes to any two people on screen you want there to be this believability between the couple. They have just that. There seems to also be a couple other stand out characters from Tom Selleck and Catherine O'Hara mainly known from Home Alone as Kevin's mom. But I prefer her from her Mockumentary fame with Christopher Guest and the slew of other comedians. Although small characters there are a few that are pretty funny people. Now as much as I liked it I usually save romantic comedies for rentals but this film did have some stuff blow up so I felt compelled to watch it on the big screen. Overall it wouldn't Kill you to wait for this at Red Box. I give it a 3 and 1/2 out of 5.

Graduation...

Well as I sit on the eve of Graduation from Ozark Christian College. I wrestle with so many different emotions Joy for the continuing of full-time ministry sadness to leave an institution that has challenged me in my walk with God every day I walked onto her campus. But overall I am thankful for the people I've met. I've been blessed with so many amazing professors like Mark Scott, Andrew Kirschner, Brian Brubaker (the list should contain every prof. I was in contact with). Then there's the churches I served at Christ Church of Oronogo, Humansville Christian Church, First Christian Church of Lamar and Commerce and even took a chance on a great church in Memphis that challenged me to rely on my wife more. So many people so many blessings. I love the God I serve and hope that I will continue to love and adore who he is and how he used a church from Clovis, Ca to pay for my education. What a blessing and encouragement. Praise the Lord.

Iron Man 2

Well we were able to have a nice date night. Including Red Onion Cafe and followed with a movie with 5 of my favorite people.

Now this is easily one of those movies that you automatically know is going to be a solid film with few issues. Now as a fan of comics (I'm more of a DC guy) I know some of the history of Tony Stark. In this rendition you have to allow Comic Book movies to be movies and Comics be comics. So I've read a few people had issues that Mickey Rourke's character was never called by his comic book name (Whiplash). But I don't know if you need that for this film. Batman Dark Night did an excellent job with Two Face but he wasn't walking around telling people, "My new name is, TWO FACE!" Sometimes these things that work with your comic book audience doesn't work with you film audience. I'm fine with them not calling him by his Whiplash name.

Now when ever I see these new Superhero movies of course we like to identify with these Characters. And since Tony Stark is Marvel's version of Batman (if you ask me) rich and uses wealth to fight crime. You have to find his human element in the whole thing. And the underlying story is Tony Stark having daddy issues. Which overall worked pretty well. If more movies would allow you to connect with these distant characters by human emotion you'll see audiences drawn to well done Superhero movies. I loved this film. I still believe Robert Downey Jr. is one of the best actors out there. Is it because he's had a life of drugs and addictions who knows? The guy is just a solid actor. Earlier this year I wanted to see more of his work and watched Chaplin as he played Charlie Chaplin, the film itself is a little slow at times but when there's a solid actor you will watch them do anything. Robert Downey Jr. is that type of actor. He completely understands the Psyche of Tony Stark.

Now my final review is this, if you're looking for a movie that outshines Iron Man 1 well I don't think it does that but it completely meets the same excitement and freshness of the first one. I thought it was just as good as the first. Which I loved the first one. Originally I expected this movie to be my favorite film of Summer 2010 but I'm thinking there's still some excellent potential with this Summer. (I'll share in another blog about movies I'm expecting to be one's I don't want to miss.) I give Iron Man 2 a Must See in Theaters (if you liked the first one).

Date Night

Now I probably haven't laughed as hard since Pineapple Express and I loved that film. As many film involving any Second City Alums you have the idea that filming the movie itself was probably even funnier than the film. Which in this case is okay as the on screen chemistry helps the humor along. The film seems to be self explanatory as 40 something couple decides to have a long overdue Date Night, then a moment of mistaken identity causes the Night to take a hilarious turn. Surprise cameos from Mark Wahlberg, Ray Liotta, and Common adds a little something to keep those you wouldn't expect in a comedy to help the humor along. When it comes to the comedies involving mistaken identity ala Three Amigos and Tropic Thunder I think this one is just a step under Three Amigos and quite a bit above Tropic Thunder. Go see this movie on a Date Night!