The Words: morally interesting

This was an enjoyable watch.  Founded on a simple premise, it chronicles the life of a budding writer as he confronts the decisions he makes to be a prominent writer.  While I found the female roles in this film utterly useless, they come across as filler really, the central internal struggle of Bradley Cooper's character was really interesting to see. Not only do we watch from his perspective, but we also follow the fictional stories that were written as well.  Winding in literature and flashbacks to the present and reality is novel and keeps you engaged throughout.  As always, I appreciate when I can't predict what will happen in the end.  This story takes an interesting approach to a timeless story of guilt and success.
Verdict: Netflix/Amazon prime it (Rent it)

Ted: Peter, meet Brian

Seth MacFarlane has a schtik.  A very good schtik, but a schtik nonetheless.  It's crude and extra (as in over-the-top for no particular reason) with a hint of intelligence.  This movie is no different, and I guess I don't know why I expected it to be.  But seeing some of the scenes that are normally reserved for his 'toons play out in real life was were a bit disturbing (e.g. cartoon violence is funny... in a cartoon).  However, the actual story of the movie was decent.  Starting with a novel concept of a "Pinocchio"-esque wish fast-forwarded 25 years, we see a man unwilling to grow up and a toy that never has to.  It's a mash-up of all of the Family Guy characters (less the never-interesting Meg) learning to be decent people.  In short, it's a good buddy movie... for the most part.
Verdict: Wait if you've ever seen an episode of Family Guy (rent it)

Magic Mike: 50-50

So, of course, the only reason why I wanted to see it is for the gorgeous bodies.  It happens; I'm human and easily swayed.  And I had very little expectations for the actual plot/storyline.  I think it barely met that expectation.  This is the classic veteran-rookie story where the rookie learns the craft and the veteran learns what it means to be a better person.  But with strippers.  I appreciated the coordinated openning dance numbers and the shirtless men, but yeah...not much else to it.  I wouldn't say it was the worst movie ever made, though that has been said, but I can't say much else for its favor.
Verdict: Wait for Redbox (Rent)

21 Jump Street: intentionally cheesy

It makes fun of itself, so I figured I have the right to do so as well.  What makes this story so great, is how it contrasts the stereotypes of high school kids from 1987 to 2012.  Granted that is a 25 year evolution, so there are bound to be some differences, but the revelation that smarts are in and jocky is out was beautifully executed.   It's also worth noting the girl-power counter duo kicking ass at the station.  It both acknowledged and defied its original roots, even with a new take on the war on drugs.  It's the new aged bromance where we learn to appreciate what everyone can bring to the table, the loyal and the jackasses,the smart and the stupid, the athletic and the not.
Verdict: enjoyable (...when you're in the mood)

Red Tails: good... enough

I was definitely one of those people who jumped on the pro-black stories band wagon (similar to the rationale I used to see the Help).  And given that it was a pseudo-war movie, I figured it would naturally lend itself to drama beyond issues of race.  I was wrong.  From the angry one to the wise-crackin' southern one, we have every one-dimensional black man you can find.  The film is also chock-full of unbelievable death-defying acts (... not in a good way), that both undermine the spirit of the film and belittle the struggle of the soldiers.  And it felt soooo long.  So while it ends with a triumphant victory for the novel and groundbreaking endeavor of the Tuskegee program, the charactured journey presented in the film left it wanting.
Verdict: A Nice-to-have (Amazon Prime)

The Descendants: almost forgettable

I appreciate a good human story as much as the next person, with one simple crisis to face.  The focus in this film shifts from a chain of events to the characters and how they react and evolve to the simple problem.  In this case, it's about a man struggling to unite his family, discovering what paradise in Hawaii truly means.  Of course you have the disgruntle teenager, the offbeat adolescent, and the absent workaholic father, trying to define how to get along in the world.  At the end of the day, it's a good family story, but not re-inventive enough to stand the test of time.
Verdict: when you're in the mood (Rent)

Super 8: scary and endearing

It really is like E.T. for the 21^st century.  Though movie kids today are more skeptical and rebellious than they were 20 years ago (no one befriends an alien and hides it in the closet), it is similar nonetheless.  This was a surprising revelation since I knew nothing about this film when I saw it (a practice I highly recommend—thank you J.J. Abrams).  The one thing I appreciated the most about this film was the lack of deliberate killings.  Yeah, accidents happen when something breaks lose from a  military train, but things started disappearing more so than dying, making it even more appropriate for the kiddies who enjoy a good suspense.
Verdict: Novel enough (Netflix)

Larry Crowne: somewhat relevant

For something written by a middle-aged man, it was surprisingly hip.  Kudos to Tom Hanks.  It highlighted many of the generational differences between his character and the twenty-somethin’s of America.  Focusing on the somewhat capricious nature of kids today, when it rubs off on Larry and he finds his true passion, it’s a victory that everyone can enjoy. Though I’m a bit confused on the actual point of Julia Roberts’ character, the rest of the story was touching.  Not my favorite, but cute enough.

Verdict: you can wait (Netflix)

Transformers 3: 3>2 but…

So, after the second failed installment of this franchise, I seriously wanted to boycott this film on principal alone.  But I must admit, this installment’s attempt at redemption did add some goodwill towards robot cars.  While casting a super model female lead and having excessive body shots of her was unnecessary at best (she stays miraculously clean while running through a decimated Chicago), I was still amused by everything else.    While I teeter between amused by its ridiculous nature or by its entertaining qualities, at least it touches entertainment (which I could not say for the sequel).

Verdict: See at some point in time (Rent it)

X-Men—First Class: nostalgic fire

So, I found this one a 75/25; 75% rad, 25% unnecessary.  The rad part is the origins piece: dedicating an entire movie to backstories is always a good idea, and the fact that it tackles four well-known characters just adds to the awesomeness.  First Class explores Magneto’s hatred of humanity by demonstrating our shortcomings multiple times throughout the film.  The only downside of the film is the historical aspect (i.e. WWII).  One of the cool things about the X-Men saga is that it takes place in a non-descript time and place.  By placing this story firmly in our timeline, from the 40s to the 70s, forces us to evaluate the plausibility of the story rather than enjoy it in its own element (like Star Wars in a galaxy far far away…). 

Verdict: only if you’re a fan of the franchise (rent)

Adjustment Bureau: refreshingly old-school

I love titles that provide insights to the movie that you don't realize until the movie's over.  Even though it flirts with the ever elusive concept of fate, the premise of the movie is really about a bureacratic establishment intervening in our affairs.  And what's funny is the whole concept sounds ominous and odd, but really it's like "It's a Wonderful Life," less the "if I was never born" spin. Well, not exactly-- there was some major deus ex machina going on that ruined the illusion for me that was not a factor in Stewart's film-- but I'mma roll with it; it definitely felt like the 50's though: from the fedora hats to the way they referred to their bosses, Mr. Richardson and Mr. Thompson.
Verdict: Don't spend anything on it, but not a complete waste if you did (Netflix it)

Hall Pass: ineffective delivery

I'm not really sure who this was targeted to: the man or woman of the marriage.  I like to at least try to make some sense out of who this movie was supposed to speak to, becasue it surely wasn't me.  Though, to be fair: I don't think I was the intended demographic.  The overall theme of the film was "I love my marriage" after understanding the shortcomings of acting like a 20 something when you are nearly 40.  It's like a toned-down raunchy man movie mixed with soft womanly messaging, which made for a sub-par combo.  Note to the Farrelly brothers: you can't please everyone, so don't try.
Verdict: Don't pay additional money to see this (Netflix Queue)

The Green Hornet: Sufficiently entertaining

I really like buddy movies where the two friends probably should have never been friends in the first place... and would probably shank each other in real life. This film mimics the Chris Tucker/ Jackie Chan relationship from "Rush Hour," only to substitute an offensive black guy with an obnoxious white guy, and add talents to the asian (instead of just kung-fu skills). While the 3D effects rarely enhanced the action scenes themselves (in fact, the action scenes rarely helped the movie), the writing and acting itself was decent... though not enough to supplement the $15 price tag.
Verdict: 3D doesn't do discount (Rent)

The Tourist: Unexpectedly off-putting

An innocent man gets tangled up by a beautiful woman and all hell breaks loose. This is the classic tale of mistaken identity and unnaturally fast lovers… almost. At this point in time, I expect every new movie to follow some type of formula (I’ve seen enough where I can guess nearly every storyline). However, this one does have a new and unforeseen twist of events that is just odd, leaving the audience perplexed and, at least with my experience, slightly angry.
Verdict: Wait for Netflix (Rent)

Love and Other Drugs: Randomly disconnected

It was not exactly what I expected. Yes it’s a love story… but the title gave away more than I thought it did. There is a large dose of prescription drugs in this movie-- more so then I would have expected—that both Jake and Anne’s characters are dependent on… too bad I didn’t have some to numb me out through this movie. I do hate when trailers set you up to expect one thing and it turns out to be quite another. In this case, what masquerades as a light-hearted romantic story (doesn’t even guarantee comedy, which I respect) turns out to be more of a heavy and depressing story with romantic bookends.
Verdict: Just wait to see that much of Jake Gyllenhaal (Rent)

Morning Glory: Predictably decent

It is rather hard to reinvent the triumph of a woman. Start: a determined, but faulted, woman. Give her the opportunity to prove something. Enter male love interest. Struggle, struggle, struggle. Exit male love interest. Triumph! Male love interest returns. End. While the movie didn’t veer from the formula, it did put it in a new setting: a TV studio. And add socially awkward as the fault, rather than an underutilized brain (Elle Woods?) I don’t fault the unoriginality; if it ain’t broke…
Verdict: Only when you’re in the mood (Rent)