The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

In my opinion, this was the best movie of the Hobbit Trilogy and a worthy prelude to Lord of the Rings. It was truly the "Defining Chapter". As always the visual effects were stunning, and the cast was magnificent, but something that struck the most in this movie was Peter Jackson's vision. There were many shots in this movie that were just beautiful, and I would like to congratulate Peter Jackson on that. And also the song at the end sung by former cast member Billy Boyd was fantastic as well. 8/10.

Director: Peter Jackson

Music: Howard Shore

Cast: Martin Freeman, Ian Mckellan, Richard Armitage, Luke Evans, Lee Pace, Evangeline Lily, Orlando Bloom, Aidan Turner, Dean O' Gorman, Graham Mctavish, Ken Stott, Ryan Gage, John Bell, Mark Hadlow, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Peter Hambleton, James Nesbitt, William Kircher, Stephen Hunter, with Manu Bennet, Benedict Cumberbatch, Billy Connolly, Stephen Fry, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Sylvester McCoy, Michael Persbrandt, Hugo Weaving, and Cate Blanchett

Release Year: 2014

Rating: PG-13

Into The Woods

Into The Woods

With 3 Oscar nominations and a nomination for Best Comedy-Musical at the Golden Globes, Into The Woods has already been regarded as the best musical of 2014 and the best musical since 2012's Les Miserables. Adapted from the hit Broadway musical, this film interweaves many different fairy tales to create one big fairytale. Meryl Streep leads the ensemble cast that has astounded audiences around. Great singers, wonderful acting, fantastic costumes and set designs. 7/10

Director: Rob Marshall

Music: Stephen Sondheim

Cast: Meryl Streep, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Emily Blunt, Chris Pine, Daniel Huttlestone, Lilla Crawford, Billy Magnussen, Mackenzie Mauzy, Tracy Ullman, Christine Baranski, and Johnny Depp

Release Year: 2014

Rating: PG-13

Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy

The highest domestic grossing movie of the year, the highest opening weekend in August in box office history, and the highest rated Marvel Cinematic Universe movie lives up to all of these qualities. Directed by James Gunn, the film stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and others as it takes the Marvel Cinematic Universe to a whole new level. With great humor, an awesome storyline, and amazing visual effects, this movie was great. One of the best Marvel movies by far. 9/10.

Director: James Gunn

Music: Tyler Bates

Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, John C. Reilly, Djimon Hounsou, Sean Gunn, Peter Serafinowicz, with Glenn Close and Benicio Del Toro

Release Year: 2014

Rating: PG-13

X-Men Days of Future Past

X-Men Days of Future Past

Being one of the best received and highest grossing films of 2014 X-Men Days of Future Past is a hit. Combining the casts of both generations of the X-Men, audiences were well rewarded with a lot of humor, amazing action sequences, and a quick shot of Hugh Jackman's rear. The music is amazing, and the writing is well done. Visual effects were some of the best, and with many surprising moments, this is definitely a must see superhero movie. 8/10.

Director: Bryan Singer

Music: John Ottman

Cast: Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Halle Berry, Ellen Page, Peter Dinklage, Shawn Ashmore, Evan Peters, Omar Sy, Josh Helman, Daniel Cudmore, Anna Pacquin, Bingbing Fan, Booboo Stewart, Adan Canto, Lucas Till, with Ian Mckellan, and Patrick Stewart

Release Year: 2014

Rating: PG-13

The Amazing Spider Man 2

The second of four from the huge batch of superhero movies this year, The Amazing Spider Man 2 brings back Andrew Garfield as the reboot Spider Man and his real life girlfriend Emma Stone to save the city yet again. The movie had good special effects and though most people didn't like it, I don't think that it was as disappointing as the public believes it to be. It was a nice edition to the Spider Man universe. 6/10.

Director: Marc Webb

Music: Hans Zimmer

Cast: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jaime Foxx, Dane DeHaan, Colm Feore, Campbell Scott, with Paul Giamatti and Sally Field

Release Year: 2014

Rating: PG-13

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

The film that took three years to make a sequel and comprising a huge cast ranging from Marvel movies, this movie was honestly the best superhero movie since The Dark Knight Rises. Chris Evans and Scarlett Johanson return to their Avengers roles, while Sebastian Stan returns as the titular figure The Winter Soldier.
This movie also introduces new player The Falcon, played by Anthony Mackie This movie caught most peoples eyes by the fact that it is more of a political thriller than a superhero movie. The storyline was one of my most favorite of the Marvel movies. Wonderful movie. 8/10.

Directors: Joe and Anthony Russo
Music: Henry Jackman
Cast: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johanson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Frank Grillo, Cobie Smulders, Emily Van Camp, Hayley Atwell, Toby Jones, with Robert Redford and Samuel L. Jackson
Release Year: 2014
Rating: PG-13

The Monuments Men

The Monuments Men

Well the directed/written by, starred in, George Clooney war movie was quite good. It was the first movie of 2014 I thoroughly enjoyed. It stars a great cast, one that was perfectly put together. I hummed the music of the movie out of the theater that night, so I call that a thumbs-up to Alexandre Desplat. 7/10.

Director: George Clooney

Music: Alexandre Desplat

Cast: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Bob Babladan, Jean Dujardin, Hugh Bonneville, Dimitri Leonidas, and Cate Blanchett

Release Year: 2014

Rating: PG-13

Pirates of The Caribbean Series

         

Pirates of The Caribbean Series

Starring the huge ensemble cast, it was based on the famous ride at Disneyland and Disneyworld. Starring Johnny Depp and Geoffrey Rush in every film the movies have become a huge success over the years. Most known for the iconic Jack Sparrow, the theme, and the stunning visual effects, it is truly one of the biggest franchises on Earth.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of The Black Pearl

Director: Gore Verbinski
Music:Klaus Bedelt
Starring: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightly, Jack Davenport, Kevin R. McNally, Lee Arenberg, Makenzie Crook with Zoe Saldana and Jonathan Pryce
Release Year: 2003
Rating: PG-13
Grade: 8

Pirates of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Director: Gore Verbinski

Music: Hans Zimmer

Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy, Jack Davenport, Stellan Skarsgard, Kevin R. McNally, Tom Hollander, Lee Arenberg, Makenzie Crook, Naomie Harris with Jonathan Pryce and Geoffrey Rush

Release Year: 2006

Rating: PG-13

Grade: 8

Pirates of  the Caribbean: At World's End

Director: Gore Verbinski

Music: Hans Zimmer

Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush, Bill Nighy, Stellan Skarsgard, Tom Hollander,Jack Davenport, Kevin R. McNally, Naomie Harris, Lee Arenberg, Makenzie Crook with Chow Yun Fat and Geoffrey Rush

Release Year: 2007

Rating: Pg-13

Grade: 8

Pirates of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Director: Rob Marshall

Music: Hans Zimmer

Starring: Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Ian McShane, Geoffrey Rush, Sam Clafin, Astrid Berges-Frisbey, with Richard Griffiths and Kevin R. McNally

Release Year: 2011

Rating: PG-13

Grade: 7

Saving Mr. Banks

Saving Mr. Banks

Starring Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks the First PG-13 Disney Documentary hit big with ratings as well as acting, music, and writing. I thought it was great. It was a very good take on the nearly 50 year old movie that changed the world. Absolutely magnificent movie. 8/10.

Director: John Lee Hancock

Music: Thomas Newman

Cast: Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, Annie Rose Buckley, Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman, Bradley Whitford, BJ Novak, Melanie Paxson, Kathy Baker, with Ruth Wilson and Colin Farrel

Release Year: 2013

Rating: PG-13

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

After a long time of pre-production the Ben Stiller directed movie has been made, and was, to me, a success. It was hilarious as well as very entertaining to watch him go on a journey to save his job. Great Film. 7/10.


Director: Ben Stiller
Music: Theodore Shapiro
Cast: Ben Stiller, Kristin Wigg, Shirley Mclaine, Patton Oswalt with Adam Scott and Sean Penn
Release Year: 2013
Rating: PG-13

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Academy Award Winner, Jennifer Lawrence returns to the sci-fi series with the return of the supporting cast Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Liam Hemsworth, Stanley Tucci and Donald Sutherland. It also brings in new characters played by Sam Clafin, Jeffrey Wright, Jena Malone, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The special effects and makeup/costumes are good as usual. The music is well done also, as is writing. Pretty good. 8/10

Director: Francis Lawrence

Music: James Newton Howard

Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Sam Clafin, Jena Malone, Jeffrey Wright, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Hemsworth, Lenny Kravitz, Amanda Plummer, Lynn Cohen, Willow Shields, Paula Malcomson, Toby Jones with Stanley Tucci and Donald Sutherland

Release Year: 2013

Rating: PG-13

The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

The predecessor of last years "An Unexpected Journey", The Desolation of Smaug is sure trying to beat out Gravity for visual effects this year! The film picks up where the last left off, and introducing a love triangle while adding back in supporting cast member Orlando Bloom as Legolas, the film ends with a major cliffhanger. The sequel brings back Ian Mckellan, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage and the dwarf clan for some dragon sleying, and introduces new characters, most notably some elven characters. The visual effects were stunning, as well as makeup(as usual), the music was phenomenal and Peter Jackson has successfully made a blockbuster again. 7/10

Director: Peter Jackson

Music: Howard Shore

Cast: Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Orlando Bloom, Luke Evans, Evangeline Lily, Ken Stott, Aidan Turner, Graham McTavish, Dean O' Gorman, James Nesbitt, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher with Manu Bennet, Benedict Cumberbatch, Steven Fry, Sylvester McCoy, Lee Pace, Mikael Persbrandt and Ian Mckellan

Release Year: 2013

Rating: PG-13

Ender's Game

Ender's Game

After 28 years, the Orson Scott Card book was turned into a movie with an all star cast. I liked this movie quite a bit, though other reviews are seeming not to like it. The visual effects for this movie were quite outstanding, since almost all of this movie is set in space, as well as the movie is set in 2086. I also liked the music, writing and acting for this movie. As usual I appreciate Asa Butterfield's acting very much, as he is one of the best child actors in the world. I couldn't imagine Ender being played as anyone else. 8/10.

Director: Gavin Hood

Music: Steve Jablonsky

Cast: Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford, Hailee Steinfeld, Viola Davis, Aramis Knight, Nonso Anozie, Suraj Parthasarathy, Moises Arias, Khylin Rambo, Conor Carrol, with Abigail Breslin and Ben Kingsley

Release Year: 2013

Rating: PG-13

Star Wars: The Compete Series

Star Wars: The Complete Series

Although the prequel trilogy is quite recent, the Star Wars Series did start in the 70s. These films have been considered one of the best film series of all time. The series was nominated for 25 Academy Awards, of which they won 10, 3 of which were Special Awards. Overall the film series has accumulated well known attention with the score, and some of the lines from the film being still used in media today. As most people do, I prefer the Original Trilogy over the Prequel Trilogy.

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace

Director: George Lucas

Music: John Williams

Cast: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ahmed Best, Pernilla August, Samuel L. Jackson, Kenny Baker, Anthony Daniels, Andy Secombe, Terence Stamp, Ian McDiarmad, Keira Knightley, with Ray Park and Frank Oz

Release Year: 1999

Rating: PG

Grade: 7

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Director: George Lucas
Music: John Williams
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Kenny Baker, Anthony Daniels, Ian McDiarmad, Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee, Pernilla August, Joel Edgerton, Bonnie Piesse, Andy Secombe and Frank Oz
Release Year: 2002
Rating: PG
Grade: 6

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

Director: George Lucas
Music: John Williams
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Ian McDiarmad, Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Christopher Lee, Matthew Wood, Peter Mayhew, Ahmed Best, with James Earl Jones and Frank Oz
Release Year: 2005
Rating: PG-13
Grade: 7

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

Director: George Lucas
Music: John Williams
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fischer, James Earl Jones, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, Peter Cushing, Denis Lawson, Phil Brown, Shelagh Fraser and Alec Guiness
Release Year: 1977
Rating: PG
Grade:8

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

Director: Irvin Kershner
Music: John Williams
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fischer, James Earl Jones, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, Billy Dee Williams, Denis Lawson, with Alec Guiness and Frank Oz

Release Year: 1980
Rating: PG
Grade: 9

Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

Director: Richard Maquand
Music: John Williams
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fischer, James Earl Jones, Ian McDiarmad, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, Billy Dee Williams, Denis Lawson, Warwick Davis, with Alec Guiness and Frank Oz
Release Year: 1983
Rating: PG
Grade: 8

Indiana Jones Trilogy

The Indiana Jones Trilogy

One of the other greatest trilogies of the 80's is the Indiana Jones Trilogy. As most of you know, there are 4 movies in the franchise, but since I'm doing a back in time segment for my reviews, I decided to only do the original three. As one of the most well known Spielberg creations of all time, Indiana Jones has been seen as one of the best. Starring Harrison Ford as the archaeologist, it is one of the most unique characters there is. With 14 Academy Award nominations(including Best Picture, and Best Director), it won 7 of them. It was nominated for Best Original Score each time, and won a Special Award in Sound Editing. This is truly one of the things that made the 80's and 90's films masterpieces.

Raiders of The Lost Ark

Director: Steven Spielberg

Music: John Williams

Cast: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, John-Rhys Davies, Ronald Lacey and Denholm Elliot

Release Year: 1981

Rating: PG-13

Grade: 8

Temple of Doom

Director: Steven Spielberg

Music: John Williams

Cast: Harrison Ford, Kate Capshaw, Amrish Puri and introducing Jonathan Ke Quan

Release Year: 1984

Rating: PG-13

Grade: 7

The Last Crusade

Director: Steven Spielberg

Music: John Williams

Cast: Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Denholm Elliot, Julian Glover, Allison Doody and John Rhys-Davies

Release Year: 1989

Rating: PG-13

Grade: 7

Gravity

Gravity

So right now I am stopping my 90s and 80s tribute so I can do a review on Gravity. This movie was just one of the best of 2013 so far. There were three things that absolutely made this movie great. The first was the script. It just was good. The second was the special effects. Unless if they actually put Sandra Bullock and George Clooney in space, then these special effects did just about everything for this film. It looked real, and so for that I give a well deserved round of applause to the special effects team. Finally the acting. Sandra Bullock was great and probably will be nominated for best actress this year. George Clooney as well did a marvelous job. 9/10.

Director: Alfonso Cuaron

Music: Steven Price

Cast: Sandra Bullock and George Clooney

Release Year: 2013

Rating: PG-13

Back To The Future Trilogy

  

Back to the Future Trilogy

One of the best trilogies of all time is most definitely the adventures of Marty McFly, and should most definitely be included the group of older movies that I'm doing. Starting in 1985 and ending in 1990, this movie takes you to the future, the past, and even the old west. It is all about time travel, but had some of the best visual effects for that age of special effects. It was nominated for 5 academy awards winning only one sound mixing award. It follows the hilarious adventures of Marty and his friend Dr. Emmett Brown, and what happens when they mess up time. Each film will get its own rating below.

Back To The Future

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Music: Alan Silvestri

Cast: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, Thomas F. Wilson, Claudia Wells, and James Tolken

Release Year: 1985

Rating: PG-13

Grade: 8

Back To The Future Part II

Director: Robert Zemeckis
Music: Alan Silvestri
Cast: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Thomas F. Wilson, Lea Thompson, Elizabeth Shue, Jeffrey Weissman, and James Tolken
Release Year: 1989
Rating: PG-13
Grade: 7

Back To The Future Trilogy Part III

Director: Robert Zemeckis
Music: Alan Silvestri
Cast: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Mary Steenburgen, Thomas F. Wilson, Elizabeth Shue, James Tolkan and Lea Thompson
Release Year: 1990
Rating: PG-13
Grade: 7

Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump

Robert Zemeckis brings the drama-comedy Forrest Gump, off the pages of the book and onto the big screen, which snagged him Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and Best Visual effects. It is a very well scripted film balancing the drama and the comedy. Tom Hanks really is shown for his greatness in this film. Definitely a must see. 9/10.



Director: Robert Zemeckis
Music: Alan Silvestri
Cast: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson with Haley Joel Osment and Sally Field
Release Year: 1994
Rating: PG-13

Independence Day

Independence Day

To people who read these blogs, I have mostly done newer films, so I'm going back in time a bit, and doing some 80s and 90s films. So to start it off I'm going to do the 1996, doomsday blockbuster, Independence Day. This movie is one of those movies that should be looked back upon as one of those great older movies.

The film with a huge cast, really touched me, making me think of a lot of things, but I felt there emotions and so I give this film a sincere thumbs up. It did quite well at the box office, with the highest grossing film of the year, as well as hitting 38th highest grossing film of all time. And I like the writing and directing that went on with the film, how it put it on three separate days, with all these different stories, intertwining at the end. 8/10.

Director: Roland Emmerich'

Music: David Arnold

Cast: Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Margaret Colin, Vivica A. Fox, Judd Hirsch, Randy Quaid, Robert Loggia, James Duval, Harvey Fierstine, Mary Mcdonnel, James Rebhorn, Brent Spiner, Harry Connick Jr, Mae Whitman, Kiersten Warren 

Release Year: 1996

Rating: PG-13

The Way, Way Back

The Way, Way Back

This film by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, have created another hit. Young star, Liam James, portrays young depressed teenager Duncan. With an amazing cast, and an amazing script, this film brings comedy and drama, and combines it into a good mix. Steve Carell plays something other than his normal comedy self. Sam Rockwell was very good also. This movie was one of the good ones of 2013. 8/10.

Directors: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash

Music: Rob Simonsen

Cast: Liam James, Toni Colette, Steve Carell, AnnaSophia Robb, Allison Janney, Maya Rudolf, Amanda Peet, Rob Corddry, River Alexander, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash, Robert Capron and Sam Rockwell

Release Year: 2013

Rating: PG-13