Twelve Monkeys

Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt

Directed by Terry Gilliam

Rating: B

Time traveling, an army of 12 Monkeys, and a virus set to kill five billion people makes for a promising movie. Oh yeah, and Bruce Willis plays the lead character in this mind-twisting sci-fi thriller.

Time traveling movies may be predictable but in this one, director Terry Gilliam has viewers guessing all the way up to the last twenty minutes. It may become a bit confusing when James Cole (Willis) is sent back and forth in time to feed information to future scientists about a rebel group called the 12 Monkeys. At first Cole is sent six years earlier than his set date of 1996 and finds himself in a mental institution for beating up police officers in a post-time jump haze. Add some mumbling and an insane Brad Pitt come the next scene, viewers may be questioning why they are still watching it.

It's not until a few time jumps later and a psychiatrist once held hostage by Cole that he starts to get help trying to prevent the destruction of mankind. It's up to the two to find the 12  Monkey's and grab a sample of the virus to prevent the oncoming apocalypse.

Similar to this movie is 2012's "Looper" where events come full circle, which seems to be the pattern in time traveling movies. In both movies, Bruce Willis comes back in time to change future events and what drives him to try doing so is to get his life back. In "Twelve Monkeys" Cole is a prisoner volunteering to reduce his sentence by going on a mission to find the 12 Monkeys. It shows a serious acting skill to see Willis in a role as a man who is sane but appears to be insane. Brad Pitt is equally frightening as a mentally unstable person in this movie, who gets worked up as he goes into a spiel about life.

While it may seem slow in the beginning and a little confusing, "Twelve Monkeys" is worth sticking out to the end. Chances are if you liked "Looper", "One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest", or "Children of Men", then "Twelve Monkeys" is the sci-fi thriller for you.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Dwayne Johnson, Josh Hutcherson, Vanessa Hudgens, Michael Cain, Luis Guzman

Directed by Brad Peyton

Rating: B

Having to pick up your life and start it somewhere new is never easy. Sean (Hutcherson) has a new step-father he would rather not take the time to know and a mission to accomplish. Sean is looking for a new journey and when he hears an encrypted message play over the radio waves, only his step-dad, Hank (Johnson), can help him out. The message is from Sean's grandfather who has disappeared for years and Hank agrees to let Sean go find him if he can come along. Reluctantly, he agrees and the two embark on a mission in addition with a pilot and his daughter to a mysterious island where things are not as they appear.

"Journey 2" brings new adventures and a mysterious island that is on the brink of going under water. I think this sequel pulled it off well and kept the excitement alive of watching the main characters find an uncharted island. While the characters may have some cheesy lines, like Hutcherson trying to impress the pilot's daughter and Johnson making his pecks 'dance', the movie has a decent plot to keep it interesting.

It might be necessary to watch "Journey to the Center of the Earth" before watching the sequel because there are a few moments that make you wonder what you missed. Sean repeatedly mentions how the men in his family don't stick around and it's been a while since I last saw the first movie. I can't remember what happened to the father and it's mentioned that the grandfather has always been searching for an adventure rather than being there for his family.

This sequel brings along new scenery, new animals (large animals are small and small animals are large!), and a volcano that erupts gold. The characters are put in danger and take to flying bees to reach their destination. "Journey 2" is not just a movie for children, but for those who are fans of classic literature like "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" or "Gulliver's Travels". This film brings a different kind of thrill that you can't get from repeated plots such as the over-done vampire movies or action films. I would recommend giving this movie a try if you can handle some cheesy lines and enjoy lost continents (Atlantis!).

Dead Bodies

Andrew Scott, Kelly Reilly, Darren Healy. Katy Davis

Directed by Robert Quinn

Rating: D-

Tommy (Scott) is going nowhere in life. He lives in an abandoned house, can't hold a job down, and just as things couldn't get worse, his ex-girlfriend moves in. Jean (Davis) wants to give the relationship another try but  Scott doesn't. When Scott's annoyance with Jean escalates they argue and Jean falls back, hitting her head on the coffee table. Scott doesn't know what to do so he buries her but when the police are informed about a dead body in the park, they start digging. Not only do they find Jean's body but another one, long decayed since. Tommy is under suspicion but he claims he's innocent.

"Dead Bodies" does not give a very promising start. It tries to hard in the beginning to be a suspenseful thriller but in reality the first forty-five minutes are boring. It's very tempting to stop watching then and there but the end makes up for it. It doesn't mean it's a great movie all of a sudden but at least it gives you some suspense. The plot is very weak and Tommy's boring life bores the viewer.

The movie takes a new direction when Tommy becomes the suspect for the second found buried body. A woman missing eight years ago turns up in the same grave as Jean's and the original suspect, her husband, turns on Tommy. Tommy and his friend Noel decide to take care of this problem which results in a suspenseful and unexpected ending.

The only reason I spent eighty-five minutes watching this movie was for Andrew Scott, who plays the criminal mastermind "Moriarty" in BBC America's "Sherlock". Scott plays a lethargic role and it's a little hard to feel sympathetic for his character. He keeps digging himself in a hole and by the end of the movie there is no way out. "Dead Bodies" is definitely worth watching once, if you really like Andrew Scott as I do, but only once. I doubt I will be watching this again because there are better movies out there.

The Adjustment Bureau

Matt Damon, Emily Blunt

Directed by George Nolfi

Rating: 4 stars

David Norris (Matt Damon), the youngest politician who has an actual chance of getting somewhere in his career, unexpectedly meets Elise (Emily Blunt) in a mens bathroom. Elise inspires David to change a speech he has to give within the next few minutes. David starts to fall for Elise. However, that is not supposed to happen according to "the plan". The Adjustment Bureau is a team of men who follow certain people making sure that their lives follow what has been predetermined for them. David tries his hardest to make sure Elise stays in his life, despite The Adjustment Bureau trying to prevent them from being together.

The Adjustment Bureau was a pretty great movie. While watching the trailer, it may appear to be appeal to girls because it is a love story. However, it's a film both genders can go see and like. Matt Damon and Emily Blunt make a good cast and Anthony Mackie, who plays the man who watches over Matt Damon's character, has a bit of a Morgan Freeman flare when you hear his deep voice. What I liked about this movie is that it has some action and an interesting plot. Though this movie is highly unrealistic (like how the Bureau make sure others follow their "plan"), the relationship between Damon and Blunt's characters could have been made more like real life. For example (spoiler), an extended amount of time goes by where David Norris stops talking to Elise because he doesn't want to ruin what could be her future career as a famous choreographer. Then he sees Elise again, realizes he wants her back, and she accepts because she likes him just as much. This happens at least two or three times. This shouldn't stop you from seeing the movie though because other than that, it was a really good movie. What would have made this film five-star quality is if the time gaps from when David meets Elise again after losing her number was shorter and then from when he stops talking to her. Other than that, I would recommend this movie for almost anyone to see.

Watchmen

Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson

Directed by Zack Snyder

Rating: 4 stars

"Who watches the Watchmen?"

In an alternate 1985 where superheroes existed, someone is killing off the vigilantes one by one. The second generation of Watchmen were forced to retire under a law banning masks. Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) is suspicious that someone is killing off the Watchmen and goes on his own to find the culprit. On the other hand, Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup) is helping Adrian Veidt (Matthew Goode) on a secret project while America is counting down on the clock to Doomsday, where America is under a nuclear missile threat by Russia.

Watchmen is a movie brilliantly put together. From the special effects to the plot, the director, Zack Snyder, did an overall great job. Though the film is missing some parts from the graphic novel, it stayed pretty faithful to the book. I read the graphic novel after watching the movie and it was so easy to picture it. I would recommend going to the library or buying it. The cast was picked pretty good and they look close to how the characters are portrayed in the novel. Though Watchmen might feel like a bit of a long movie (about two and-a-half hours) it's not a painful length. I really liked it and I would recommend this movie to people who liked 300 or the Dark Knight. Watchmen, for the most part, is full of action and keeps the dialogue going. However, it is rated R for a good reason. The violence is a bit too strong for anyone under sixteen and there are two sex scenes as well as language. Overall, the movie was really good but I would be careful as to letting anyone younger than sixteen view this film.

I Am Number Four

Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant, Diana Agron, Callan McAuliffe

Directed by D. J. Caruso

Rating: 4 stars

I Am Number Four follows the story of a teenager who has abilities no human could have. John (Alex Pettyfer) has been used to moving from town to town with his guardian Henri (Timothy Olyphant), always on the run to keep from being noticed. There are very few people like John and enemies who have taken over his home planet are scavenging for the last of John's kind. So far they have killed the first three and as the title says, John is number four. In Ohio, John must learn how to use his powers to keep himself alive and battle those after him.

Overall, I Am Number Four was a pretty good movie. It had action generally throughout it and an interesting plot to keep you watching. John is used to being the new kid but when he moves to Ohio, he is tired of trying to keep a low profile. It's sort of hard when a girl, Sarah (Diana Agron), who carries a camera around school keeps taking photos of you. When the jocks pick on a smaller kid, John does his best to help Sam (Callan McAuliffe) which makes him the new target. What makes I Am Number Four good is the action and the cast was picked well so that helps. The end of the movie suggests a sequel and personally, I probably will go see it if it is made. Though the movie has a rating of PG-13, I don't think anyone younger then eight years-old should see it because it might have some scary scenes. Other then that, I think most people might enjoy this film if you enjoy action, thriller, or sci-fi kind of movies. I went into this movie with the mindset that it wouldn't be that great but left the theater feeling like it was money worth spent.

Inception

Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Marion Cotillard, Cillian Murphy

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Rating: 5 stars

"You're waiting for a train, a train that will take you far away. You know where you hope this train will take you, but you don't know for sure. But it doesn't matter. How can it not matter to you where that train will take you?"

A dream within a dream within a dream. How does one begin to explain Inception? Inception is a story about a man, Cobb (DiCaprio) in exile from the United States. Cobb breaks into the minds of people to steal information and earns his money that way. Saito (Watanabe) wants Cobb to plant an idea in the mind of Robert Fischer (Murphy), this is what Inception is. Saito wants Fischer to split up his father's empire after his father's death. If Cobb can pull this off, Saito will make a phone call that will allow Cobb to go back to the U.S. and live with his children again. In order for the operation to work, Cobb has to assemble the right team to be able to go deep into the subconscious.

Inception is yet another masterpiece movie created by Christopher Nolan. This movie deserves five stars because of the brilliance of this confusing yet attention-grabbing film. There's no doubt this movie was made well and the plot is so mind-bending. Inception blows your mind. What I don't understand is how can some people not like it? The script was well written, Hans Zimmer has yet again made a great soundtrack that fits this movie perfectly, the actors really get into their roles, and the plot is attention grabbing. Yet not everyone likes this movie. Christopher Nolan was definitely snubbed at not being nominated himself for best director for the Academy Awards.

What I loved about this movie is that it is pure genius. A team of people have to break deep into the mind of a man all to plant an idea without going into limbo. To do this, Cobb's team has to create a dreamworld with layers. When Cobb brought Ariadne (Page) into the dreamworld to show her what she would need to do, it was amazing to see the design. It can't be easy to make that scene with the world folding in on itself and then have everything explode. Cobb is motivated and desperate to see his kids again yet every time he goes into someone's mind, he brings his dead wife Mal (Cotillard) with him. Mal is a tough obstacle to avoid since she keeps harming the team in each layer. Another thing that is so good about this movie is the ending. I love movies with a twist and it leaves you wondering what really happened. You can watch this movie multiple times and still find something new you didn't pick up on the first time you saw it.

If you're a fan of Christopher Nolan's films (The Dark Knight, The Prestige, Insomnia, Momento) then you will continue to be amazed with Inception. I wouldn't recommend this movie for those who don't like thrillers or movies that make you think (like Shutter Island). Please give Inception a chance. It is truly amazing and if you find it boring, then please admire the structure of the movie and how well-put it was made.

The Black Swan

Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel

Directed by Darren Aronofsky

Rating: 4 stars

In this twisted tale of The Swan Lake, Nina (Natalie Portman) strives to be perfect. Her dream is to play the lead of the Swan Lake and so she practices and practices and practices. Perfection is her ultimate goal. The choreographer, Thomas (Vincent Cassel), casts Nina as the Swan Queen where she has to dance both as the White Swan and the Black Swan. Nina's "White Swan" is perfect, as it reflects her personality. But as Nina tries to be too perfect, her "Black Swan" suffers. Lily (Mila Kunis) is new to the dance studio and is seen as a threat to Nina. Lily seems nice as she tries to be friendly to Nina. What's threatening is that Lily is the new girl and would be perfect as the Black Swan. Thomas sees this. So Nina is under pressure to break out of her good-girl mold and try to loosen up a bit. However, it costs her life to reach it.

The Black Swan is truly a great movie. The symbolism in it is what makes this movie so amazing. You see Nina, this young woman (her age is never revealed but I'm guessing she's in her early 20's), who dedicates her life to ballet. She's the image of innocence. All she wants is to be perfect. When she gets the role of the Swan Queen, all her dedication to dancing has paid off. However, Thomas keeps telling her she needs to loosen up a bit in order to be the perfect Black Swan. The White Swan represents innocence and precise moves. The Black Swan is flirtatious and full of experience. Nina, being as innocent as she is, can't achieve the perfection to be the Black Swan. She tries too hard, Thomas says. But as the movie progresses, you see Nina transforming herself into the Black Swan, losing that innocence you see her as in the beginning. By the end of the movie, she kills herself because she has done it: reached perfection in her own eyes.

The reason I think this movie deserves four stars instead of five is because it's a little disturbing. The thing is, it was necessary in order to make this movie beautiful. The symbolism, the transformation from White Swan to Black Swan, that makes this movie amazing. Yet, seeing Natalie Portman go crazy and imagining things (like the bedroom scene with herself and Mila Kunis), the hospital scene with Winona Ryder, the murder of Mila Kunis in her dressing room, this was all a little too much. Obviously she had some mental disorder. I wouldn't recommend this movie to those who like a happy ending, the faint-hearted, and the sensitive. If you're going to watch this movie, be prepared that it is hard hitting. It's an amazing movie but also on the dark side too. Don't say I didn't warn you.

The Stepfather

Dylan Walsh, Sela Ward, Penn Badgley, Amber Heard

Directed by Nelson McCormick

Rating: 4 stars

Michael Harding (Penn Badgley) comes home for his senior year from military school to find that his recently divorced mother, Susan Harding (Sela Ward), is engaged after a year of knowing her fiance. David Harris (Dylan Walsh) is a murderer, looking to settle down with a new family after killing his last one. Throughout the movie, Michael is suspicious of David and puts together that something is not right. He tells his latest theories to his girlfriend, Kelly Porter (Amber Heard), who tries to get him to stop obsessing over this. Nobody seems to listen to Michael, though we do see that Susan's friend is suspicious as well. David "eliminates" those who are suspicious and as the ending unfolds, we can only wonder what suitable ending is appropriate.

I would rate this movie four stars. This movie has its suspense moments (well put together) and it's a good thriller. It's perfect for those who enjoy the suspense but hate to be scared because it's not a scary/horror movie. I would recommend this to those who like thrillers such as Secret Window or Disturbia. This movie seemed more along the lines of Disturbia such as one of the leading male characters having suspicion over someone and doing what they can to get to the root of the mystery.

There was some things that could be improved to make this movie better. For example, the ending should be re-written. Sure, we can't always have a "happy ending" but it's also cliché for a movie to end with "the killer mysteriously got away" and we see who his next target is. Another example would be that in the beginning of the movie, you see how the police have an open investigation on David Harris but they don't get any more involved.

Overall if you take this movie as it is, then you'll find it pretty enjoyable. However, this is not the ultimate thriller and suspense film as there have been better ones out there. So if you have nothing better to do on a Friday night or want to have a thriller marathon, I would suggest adding this to your list.

Paranormal Activity 2

Brian Boland, Sprague Graydon, Molly Ephraim, Katie Featherston

Directed by Tod Williams

Rating: 4 stars

A prequel to the first Paranormal Activity, this second film gives us a little more insight to the demon haunting sisters Katie (Katie Featherston) and Kristi (Sprague). In the first Paranormal Activity, we are spooked by a demon with no explanation as to why it's bothering a nice, suburban couple. All we know is that when Katie was young, something "paranormal" seemed to be going on in her household that her sister noticed too. In Paranormal Activity 2, we find out why the demon goes to Katie. After first "disturbing" Kristi, the demon moves on to Katie (which we see in the first movie). In a desperate attempt to get his wife back to normal after being in a "possessed" state, Daniel (Brian Boland) has no choice but to consult someone who would know how to fix this. It comes down to passing the "disturbance" to a blood relative and that relative happens to be Kristi's sister, Katie.

I would give this movie five out of five stars. Though slow at first, the director, Tod Williams, has to build up the storyline. However, when the "paranormal activity" starts to act up, it is a scare that will leave you shaking. First it starts subtly, with the pool vacuum always ending up outside the pool by morning, and doors opening wider. As Kristi and her step-daughter Ali (Molly Ephraim) start noticing something strange going on the activity gets worse. Doors slamming, people being dragged by an unseen force, pots falling from hooks and kitchen drawers simultaneously slamming wide open are enough to make you jump in your seat and cower. Paranormal Activity 2 is so well made that while you're watching it, it feels real. Almost as if you could go home and find that it's happening to you.

This is a great example of a suspenseful horror film and perfect for nights at home when you want to be spooked. Paranormal Activity 2 gives you the sense how not even during the day can you feel safe. Involving a one-year old also brings something different to the feel of realism, showing this could happen to anyone. [SPOILER:] Having Hunter -Kristi's baby- be the possible target of the movie (he doesn't get hurt!), makes it a little bit scarier. For example, did you notice how at one point during the movie you couldn't see Hunter's reflection on the mirror?

Paranormal Activity 2 is a great scare and ties up the loose ends from the first film. Like where did Katie go after murdering Micah? But leaves you asking, where did she take Hunter? I hope there will be a third movie -a final installment- to resolve this paranormal phenomenon once and for all. Paranormal Activity 2 proved to be a success and not a flop like some sequels are; though I'm not really sure how a third Paranormal Activity would play off. I would recommend seeing this movie if you like a good thrill and enjoy being spooked. If you get scared easily or are superstitious, I would stay home and watch a comedy or something else a little light-hearted.

Coincidence or not? As I was driving home after seeing this movie, the license plate in front of me said "Hunter 1". Scary...