Lee Daniels, the Director who blew up on the scene with Halle Berry’s Oscar winning performance in Monsters Ball, brings us another noteworthy movie in The Butler.

Forest Whitaker plays Cecil Gaines and Daniels shows how he serves eight presidents during his tenure as a butler at the White House, the civil rights movement, Vietnam, and other major events affect this man's life, family, and American society.

There is a lot of history that is covered very quickly (similar to Forrest Gump) with “A” List actors in supporting roles.

The editing is crisp and suited to Melinnials who will seek out any additional information they need on the numerous historic figures in the movie via the internet.

Daniels does not give you time to get bored because he intersects Gaines life with his wife who is portrayed by Oprah Winfrey who gives a non Oprah like performance suitable for

an Oscar nomination.

 

Verdict:

The Butler is a good history movie. Think of Director Daniels as the serious Tyler Perry (who was suppose to direct this flick, thank God he didn’t). Madea may have shown up at the White House.

Jobs

This film is about Steve Jobs' ascension from college dropout into one of the most revered creative entrepreneurs of the 20th century. For those of you who know Jobs career this movie will be a letdown.

There is nothing new that you will learn about Jobs. The story follows the ones you heard before. There is no explanation on why he was the enormous jerk he was to his friends and associates. No information on how he meets his wife and why he decided to have a family.

Ashton Kutcher tries as hard as he can but fails to nail the role.

 

Verdict:

Wait until the next Steve Jobs movie comes out that has input from people who were his friends. 

Elysium

Well the wait is over and this was not what I expected. Elysium turned out to be another “Tentpole” flop.

Set in the year 2154, where the very wealthy live on a man-made space station while the rest of the population resides on a ruined Earth, a man takes on a mission that could bring equality to the polarized worlds.

Jody Foster’s who has 2 Academy Awards, has been away from the screen for a while and it shows. Her acting muscles are rusty. She plays the head of Defense on Elysium.  Her acting is forced and her accent comes and goes throughout the picture. In a way this is similar to the SyFy flick Oblivion which also had a high level female defense person in actress Melissa Leo.

Matt Damon does his best with what is given to him but he comes off as a 2^nd rate RoboCop.

Verdict:

Predictable and disappointing. Oblivion was not great but it was the better Sy Fy flick of the two

We’re The Millers

This movie is way better than I expected. A veteran pot dealer creates a fake family as part of his plan to move a huge shipment of weed into the U.S. from Mexico.

The comedy style is similar to the movie Identity Theft but better.

I am not a big fan of Jennifer Anniston but she plays a stripper the best she can and comes across likeable. At one point when she is stripping in the movie Jason looks into the camera (similar to Eddie Murphy in Trading Places) and gives the audience a look to let us know that she can’t strip but let’s play along.

Star making role for Jason Sadakis who comes across as a young Bill Murray.

Writing is crisp and the jokes are fresh. Think of this movie as one long episode of Saturday Night Live and the majority of the skits are good.

Verdict:

Stupid premise but funny movie.

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa Official Trailer #1 (2013) - Jackass Movie HD

Blue Jasmine

After Midnight In Paris who would have thought Woody Allen could deliver another Oscar worthy flick?

Cate Blanchett stars as a woman in a life crisis who heads to San Francisco, where she reconnects with her sister.
All of the supporting actors are good including Andrew Dice Clay who delivers. Don’t get it twisted, this is Cate’s film. Sure the direction is a bit uneven with the flash backs but for me they worked because they kept me wondering when the next layer of Cate’s character would be revealed.
The story will remind you of a modern day Streetcar Named Desire but this is not a reboot. I also didn't care for Woody Allen marrying his step daughter but he is a genius when it comes to film, period.

Verdict:

This is an Instant classic and a performance from an actress that will be reviewed for years.

Cate Blanchett is Magical, Outstanding, Legendary!! I can’t wait to see it again.

2 Guns

I never thought that there could be another franchise similar to Lethal Weapon but I was wrong, this is it.

2 Guns is about a DEA agent played by Denzel, and a naval intelligence officer played by Mark Wahlberg, who find themselves on the run after a botched attempt to infiltrate a drug cartel. They later learn the secret of their shaky alliance: Neither knew that the other was an undercover agent.

The chemistry is solid between Denzel and Walberg and the supporting cast of actors are top shelf. Mark Walhberg has grown as an actor from when he was talking to plants in the movie The Happening. My only concern with this movie  is the casting of Paula Patton. When will Paula Patton take acting lessons?? She is horrible and I have said this before. She is a stunning beauty but that’s it. SHE CANNOT ACT!

She should go see Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine and realize how far she has to go to before she takes on another role.

Verdict:
One of the most entertaining summer popcorn action flicks I have seen so far this year.

Fruitvale Station

I live in California and I had never heard of this true story of a handcuffed young black man that gets shot in the back by a cop.

It’s the story of Oscar, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident, who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family, and strangers on the last day of 2008.

What happens to him will make you wonder why this was not a National story similar to what happened to Trayvon Martin.

Michael B. Jordan who plays Oscar is excellent and the supporting cast delivers a great job as well.

The first hour of the movie is slow but the last 30 minutes will sweep you with various waves of emotion. Grown folk were crying and you can hear a pin drop in the theater. I maned up and was able to not cry.

Verdict:

A Must See movie.

The Wolverine

The 2nd Wolverine movie is good but not great.
Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman, is summoned to Japan by an old acquaintance, He becomes embroiled in a conflict that forces him to confront his own demons.

There is not much of a story and the movie is very violent. Jackman does an excellent job but everyone else pails in comparison. Wolverine has a love interest but the chemistry between the 2 does not exists. There is one great action scene that takes place on top of a train, other than that there were no surprises.

Verdict:
This movie is just ok, it didn't dazzle me.
If you don’t like movies set in Japan and violent movies than skip this one. If you like X-Men than wait for the next X-man movie and don’t go see this.

American Hustle Full Movie Trailer 2013 - Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Coo...