The Dark Knight Rises

This summer, the final installment of the Christopher Nolan directed and written Batman trilogy will be released.  "The Dark Knight Rises" will take place eight years later after the events of "The Dark Knight."

Before Nolan took over the Batman series, the last Batman film ("Batman & Robin") came out to negative reviews and did poorly at the box office.  In 2003, Nolan came in and got Warner Bros. to entrust him (a relatively unknown director) with the Batman series. The first film, 2005's "Batman Begins," was a box office hit and received very positive reviews from critics.  In the summer of 2008, the sequel, "The Dark Knight," was released.  This movie is regarded as the greatest comic book movie ever made.  It is also one of the highest grossing movies worldwide of all time.

Christopher Nolan has successfully turned the Batman movie series around with his 2 movies so far.  He has brought a darker storyline to each film, and has also given us a understanding of how Bruce Wayne had become Batman.  

"The Dark Knight Rises," is by far one of the most anticipated films of 2012, and from what early trailers of the film has shown, it will not disappoint.  Below is the link for the official trailer of "The Dark Knight Rises."  Look for the last installment to be released on July 20, 2012.

"The Dark Knight Rises" Official Trailer

Across the Universe

 "Within the lyrics of the world's most famous songs,  

 lives a story that has never been told.  

   ...Until now."  

Across the universe (2007) is one of my all time favorite movies; without a doubt, top 3.
It’s an incredible love story brought to life by the timeless music of The Beatles.

The movie takes place in the 1960’s and follows the charming Jim Sturgess (Jude) as he starts off his journey from Liverpool, and travels all the way to America to find his father. He ends up running into a new friend, Max who is played by Joe Anderson. The two new friends go on a excursion to the Lower East Side Manhattan where their story ultimately begins; Jude falls in love with Max’s sister Lucy, and Max gets drafted and is sent overseas.

The movie brings to life many different historic events; Vietnam, the Detroit riots, drugs and anti-war protests are all a major themes throughout the film, all shown beautifully through rock and roll. There are also a lot of different connections made using the friends that Jude and Max make including, Sadie who is supposed to represent Janis Joplin, and Jo-Jo whose character symbolizes Jimmy Hendrix. There are dozens of different connections to different Beatles songs as well, take for example the names of some of the characters; Jude, Lucy, and Prudence.

This really is a phenomenal movie. From the storyline, and casting, and most importantly the music; this is one of those movies that I can watch again and again, and it will still never get old. The different and unique ways that The Beatles songs are performed are amazing, and although the movie didn’t get great reviews when it came out- any fan of The Beatles and their music will really love this movie. Please take my word and enjoy!

-Samantha-

Taken

"Taken" is one of my favorite movies. First of all, I think Liam Neeson is a fabulous actor, especially in an action/crime thriller movie such as "Taken". This movie is about a retired CIA agent whose daughter goes on a trip to France and gets kidnapped. The people who kidnap her end up giving her drugs and making her a prostitute. This is known as sex trafficing.

The way the movie is filmed and the scenes which lead Liam Neeson on his journey to save his daughter keep you entranced. The action and thrill of the movie creates an intensity to it.

Liam Neeson's character, Bryan Mills, is divorced and rarely gets to see his daughter, Kim, who is played by Maggie Grace. Maggie Grace's character in this movie annoys me but is the typical ignorant teenager. First, she doesn't spend alot of time with her father because she has a rich stepdad whom buys her a pony for her birthday. Second, she goes to France alone with one friend after her father tells her she shouldn't go. And worst of all, she talks to strangers the second she lands in France. The only good decision she made throughout this movie was calling her father right before she is kidnapped. The kidnappers are members of the Albanian Mafia whose specialty is kidnapping teenagers and sell them into sexual slavery.

I love how tough and determined Liam Neeson is in this movie. I don't go for older men but he definitely made me wish I had a retired CIA agent for a boyfriend.

" If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you."

-Danielle


Waiting...

I wasn’t sure what movie to do this week- I haven’t seen any truly good movies lately and I feel like I should only write about movies that have something special to offer. So I was watching TV last night and came across Waiting…, Starring Ryan Reynolds, Anna Farris, Justin Long, and Dane Cook. Now I’ve seen this movie about 100 times, its on TV all the time- but it was on kind of late last night so since this movie is rated R, it didn’t censor any of the extremely foul language! Which is the only reason to watch a movie like this, or every other word is bleeped out. I think I honestly forgot how funny this movie is, I caught myself laughing really hard at some points, and I quote this movie all the time. It just seemed silly to me that this movie came out in 2005 and still makes me laugh so hard, and I am really in need of a good laugh after my weekend and week from hell. So although I am almost positive that everyone has seen this raunchy movie, for those of you who haven’t, here is a quick summary of what your missing out on.

This movie is set in a restaurant called Shenanigans, and shows all of the crazy things that the people who work there do and discuss on a daily basis. It makes you wish your job was this cool, or maybe the people that you work with were that cool; from waiters, bartenders, cooks, hostesses, and even bus-boys, the different vulgar and gross antics that go on in that restaurant are incredible.

Ryan Reynolds plays a sexy waiter who is as equally clever with his words and more importantly knows how to flirt with all of his girl customers. Each of the other waiters, and staff all have their own different conflicts and resolutions throughout the movie, and shows how each person deals with the stress of working in this popular restaurant. The movie has numerous quarrels on the subject of love believe it or not- most of the staff are dating one another, so the different love triangles and dating issues that go on really puts a spin on things.

Hopefully this movie has made more people always want to leave a good tip and remain nice and polite to their wait staff, because if you’ve seen the movie- you know what happens. Not to say that kind of disgusting behavior actually goes on, but you never know what could happen if you snap at a waiter or waitress. Enjoy this movie if you haven’t already, and if you have make sure to put it on if there is ever a day where you need a good laugh, because believe me- this movie isn’t considered a classic or anything but it will really put you in a better mood.

-Samantha-

Titanic

"I'm the king of the world!"

It has been 100 years since the RMS Titanic took it's maiden and only voyage.  To help commemorate the tragic event, the critically acclaimed movie "Titanic" was re-released in 3D and IMAX.  The remastering of the original film to become 3D took 60 weeks and $18 million to produce.

The 3D element surely didn't disappoint.  In my opinion, I felt that the 3D intensified many important scenes throughout the movie, like when the water started to rush towards Jack and Rose as the last of the ship was going under.  Any part that had to do with the ship wreck or the ocean, the 3D came across extemely well.

To see this movie in it's entirity for the first time in many years and in 3D gave a larger than life aspect.  At certain points you feel that you're moving along the decks of the ship yourself.  You don't tend to be fixed on the love story playing out before you as much.  Once Titanic hits the iceberg, Director James Cameron brings you for the ride of your life.

-Katie-

Bridesmaids

"Female fight club. We grease up, we pull in. Lillian doesn't know so it's suprise! We're gonna fight! We beat the shit outta her."

"Bridesmaids" is known as the female version of "The Hangover". Starring Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph from Saturday Night Live, this movie is about Annie's journey of being a maid-of-honor for her bestfriend Lillian. Annie is played by Kristen Wiig and does an amazing job in this movie along with Melissa McCarthy who plays Lillian's future sister-in-law. Throughout the movie, Annie is jealous of Lillian's new bestfriend, Helen, whom appears to be perfect and competes with Annie to win Lillian's trust.
As a whole, I did not think it was a good story line. For example, I didn't think Annie's relationship with the cop was that good...they could've chosen a much cuter actor than Chris O'Dowd. But certain parts of this movie I could (and do) watch over and over again and laugh every time.
If you are in the mood for a "slap your knee, pee your pants and cry all at the same time" kind of laugh, this is the movie to watch. One of my favorite parts of the movie is when Annie is on the airplane and goes crazy. She does stupid things including cursing at the flight attendant. And my other favorite part of the movie has to do with poop...I will say no more. I do not want to give anything away so I will leave it up to you to choose to watch this movie.
I believe that "Bridesmaids" will open up new doors for Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy, whom I believe both did a phenomenal job. Melissa McCarthy is nothing short of hillarious in every scene and brings this movie to a whole 'nother level.
-Danielle-

The Vow

"The Vow" is based on the actual relationship of Kim Carpenter, who wrote a book about his marriage to his wife Krickitt, also known as The Vow.  Ten weeks after their wedding, the couple were in an automobile accident in which Krickitt suffered brain trauma, which erased memories of her romance with Kim as well as their recent marriage.

 Starring Rachel McAdams as Paige Collins, and Channing Tatum as her husband Leo, the movie

is a romantic tale of courtship, marriage and domestic bliss that is rudely interrupted by a car crash which leaves the Paige unable to remember anything at all about the her husband Leo.  To complicate matters Paige can remember most of her life before meeting Leo, but none of it involving him.

He dedicates all his time to woo her and make her fall in love with him, even if she cannot remember him. His chances are hampered when her estranged and wealthy family, start pulling her back toward them, not to mention her ex-fiance.

Though critic reviews have been mixed on the film; I won't give out any spoilers, but I was pleased how the ending wasn't cheesy.  If you're a fan of either McAdams or Tatum, I recommend seeing it.

-Katie-