THE HUNGER GAMES MOCKINGJAY PT 2 REVIEW

Its over! The epic finale to the "Hunger Games," saga is here! One of the most anticipated movies of 2015 has finally arrived. Now is it explosive conclusion we were all hoping for ? Here's the story.

When we last saw Katniss, she was being hospitalized for a deadly attack by the newly freed Peeta. Part 2 starts off right after that event. Katniss is bruised and afraid and Peeta, who has clearly been poisoned, reminds her that his life would not be this bad if he hadn't chosen to help her all those years ago. Ouch. Katniss chooses to be a part of the invasion squad to the capital as what the president did to Peeta and her family make it impossible for her to choose anything else.

 The movies a bit too long. I found myself saying the words, "get to the point, get to the point," over and over. Which isn't good. As for the acting, for the most part the performances are excellent, and what we've expected, but Juliane Moore's president Alma Coin, is written about as generically as you can get. Moore seems "pulse less." Like nothing phases her. It makes her transition in the end ring false.  Lastly because of the instance on doing two stories out of one book, characters seem under developed which makes in some cases their eventual deaths seem harder because we didn't get enough screen time with them.  However I did enjoy Lawrence, Hutchenson and Hemsworth. They have been playing these characters for so long, their performances are very layered. Sutherland and Harrelson also turn in good solid performances. And as for Phillip Seymore Hoffmans last  performance, this movie is a good movie to end on. Although the sight of him is quite melancholy. Harrelson delivers a speech in reference to Hoffmans character Plutarch Heavensbee,  a section filled with references to making better choices, and you could think they were talking about Hoffman himself.  

The action was superb. It seemed very real and you can see the danger they were all in very well. It also gets very intense. While I had a few problems with the first act, the second act is the weakest.  I loved the entire third act. Sure some people will say they could've cut the ending down, but overall I enjoyed it. 

THE VERDICT

"The Hunger Games; Mockingjay Part 2" may seem long and generic at times, but its acting and action keep you entertained. I give it a B. 

SPOTLIGHT REVIEW

"Spotlight," is a movie that when I heard about it,  the cast alone excited me. It has great charachter actors like Michael Keaton, John Slattery, Mark Ruffalo, Liev Schrieber, and Rachel McAdams.  The fact that the movie is based on the events that led to the arrest of abusive priests in the catholic church left me even more intrigued. How could something like that happen? Well heres the story.

" Spotlight," is the investigative section of the Boston Globe news paper and when we first meet the team, they are on the verge of getting a new editor. One who is liable to cut jobs, and who does not seem impressed by how long it takes for Spotlight to do a story. It can take up to a year to investigate a story. The new Editor, played by Schrieber, challenges Spotlight to take on a case involving Father John Gagan, an abusive priest who seemed to get away with abusing hundreds of children because once the church found out, they would just move him to a new parish. Spotlight starts to dig, and discovers that 6% of the priests in Boston were abusers. At first they cannot believe it could be. Then they cannot believe that given the abuse, and how big it was, that the people in power continued to cover it up.

I loved this movie. For the bravery of telling this story. For the way these men and women went after the abusers and made sure that there was a "Spotlight," on it so that it wouldn't get swept under the rug. I loved the cast, especially Stanley Tucci, who plays the plantifs lawyer, and Mark Ruffallo, a reporter who seems most affected by the church's keeping this quiet. " They did this to kids!" he shouts. It seems only till then in such a plain and simple way, do we realize these men were monsters. And the ones who covered it up, accomplices. It will probably win a boatload of awards. The script is well written and moves at a good pace. And Keaton, as the SPOTLIGHT editor, shines as he realizes how little people did for these poor children. It is a terrific film, but it is not a walk in the park. You will feel angry and sad and frustrated that people used religion so easily to cover up crime.

I also started thinking, given the bombings this week in France, people are lucky to have social media. Its been a way of confirming to loved ones that they are safe. What would these abused children been able to do if they could report to all they knew on Facebook, or Twitter that the priests in their church were vipers? Thank god the paper took up the cause.

                                               
                                                        THE VERDICT
Spotlight is incredible, from performances to writing, to directing. I give Spotlight an A.

BRIDGE OF SPIES REVIEW

Tom Hanks? Steven Spielberg? In their 4th film together? Sign me up! Now I was excited for Bridge of Spies jsut based on that. Now how is Bridge of Spies? Does it live up to the hype? Story here. 

Bridge of Spies is the true story about how a lawyer named Jim Donovan  was hired to defend a russian spy and was also hired to negotaite a spy trade swap in Russia. Russia had an American spy and they wanted a negotioator.  Now I love this movie. Out of the 4 movies the've done together this is number 2. This is a Excellent film. The screenplay keeps us highly entertained. Spielbergs directing is also fantastic. Tom Hanks and Mark Reylance give great performances, and the cinematography is beautiful. My only 2 complaints with Bridge of Spies are this. 1. its slow in the very begining and the 2nd one is the 2nd act drags on a bit. Other than that this is a great movie. 

                                                             THE VERDICT 

While Bridge of spies is a little slow in a couple of parts, its acting , and directing keep you very entertained. I give Bridge of Spies an A-. 

STEVE JOBS REVIEW

Steve Jobs was a man who essentially changed the world by thinking of things he knew we would need. He realized that with ease, we could put a computer in a phone and change the way we do everything. When I heard that Aaron Sorkin had written a script about him, and that an excellent cast was attached I got super excited.  Now how is the movie? Story here.

Steve Jobs is about his life through 3 openings of 3 big Apple Products ;The victories and struggles he went through. This movie stars Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, and Jeff Daniels. Its directed by Danny Boyle and written by Aaron Sorkin. Now I love this movie. I do, its amazing. The acting, directing, writing, cinematography, score, everything else. I love this, no complaints at all.

                                                                    THE VERDICT
                Steve Jobs is a terrific biopic with, amazing writing, great acting and excellent directing. I give Steve Jobs an A.

SPECTRE REVIEW

Spectre is one of my most anticipated movies of 2015. and its another Bond flick that continued to look more awesome as time went by. I loved Casino Royale and Skyfall. So how is Spectre and its talented cast? Here's the story!

Spectre takes place many months after Skyfall and is about how James Bond comes across an organization called Spectre. Bond begins to investigate and discovers he has a past connection to the main villain played by Christophe Waltz.  Most of the performances in the movie are fantastic. Daniel Craig, Ralph Feines and the others from the previous films are good. Lea Seydoux is a decent Bond girl and Dave Bautista in addition to Waltz are great . The action is fantastic, and most of the story is very good. Direction from Sam Mendes is usually always first rate.  But I do have a couple of complaints. Sam Smiths opening title song, Is a disappointment, and the intro they put it into emphasizes that. The love relationship between Craig and Sedouyx you don't fully buy. Andrew Scott and Monica Belucci are both wasted. She's not in it  that much and he is given generic dialogue. The second act is a bit slow. But other than that Spectre is a fun Bond flick that I highly suggest you see.

                                                               THE VERDICT
Though not as good as Casino Royale and Skyfall, Spectre is a very fun bond movie with great action and a good story. I give Spectre a B+.