Director: Marc Webb
Writers: Alex Kurtzman (screenplay), Roberto Orci (screenplay)
Stars: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx

Synopsis: Peter Parker runs the gauntlet as the mysterious company Oscorp sends up a slew of supervillains against him, impacting on his life.

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INTRO
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is better than Captain America: The Winter Solider. No mistake you read that right. This critic believes Spider-Man is a more entertaining film in which you never have to ask the whereabouts of the Avengers. Spider-Man is one of my favorite superheroes because he has had some of the most enjoyable storylines in the comics and I think The Amazing Spider-Man reboots so far, are off to a better start than the original. I especially praise the character development of Spider-Man.

DIRECTION
Marc Webb knows how to tell a Spider-Man story in a way that many might find boring but based on my knowledge of Spider-Man comic lineage, I find it intriguing and well thought out. The fight scenes between Spider-Man and Electro are an Oscar worthy performance for CGI. The cinematography by Daniel Mindel uses various slow-motion sequences to help us get a sense of Spider-Man’s spider sense. We also get nice up close shots of Spider-Man when he is swinging through the city again putting us right in the action. The story is inteweaved well and we get several villain teases which was pretty fun throughout. Overall, Webb gets good Amazing (no pun intended) acting from his actors and the fight scenes are well shot and action packed.

Grade: A

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SCRIPT
Webb along with new screenwriters Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Jeff Pinkner, up their game for this sequel as the script is able to expand Spidey’s universe without overshadowing this movie. AMS2 on the surface looks like it suffers “over-villain” syndrome, as potentially we have three villains in this film. The opening scene is merely an introduction for Aleksei Sytsevich (Paul Giamatti), who later will become the Rhino. Clearly Sony is simply planted the seed of interest for the Sinister Six spin-off future film as Rhino is simply just introduced here without much depth. The Green Goblin is another villain that is used to setup future installments as Harry was only the Goblin no more than 10 minutes. Webb and his team where effective in teasing the spin-offs within the scope of the film. The main antagonist of the film is Electro (Jamie Foxx). Electro’s motives for anything are not really clear in this film. As Max Dillon, he loves and adores Spider-Man but after his accident we never really get a full explanation of why he hates Spider-Man like an awful ex. Electro is simply the start of more things to come for Spider-Man so having a villain with powers this strong succeeded in making Spider-Man smarter. Much like Iron Man 3, Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) is seen more as himself rather than the web-slinger and I thought every scene as Peter shaped to make him a better hero. Most of the film is taken up with Gwen (Emma Stone) and Peter’s relationship but seemed very natural was executed very well. AMS2 is a very long movie but it tells a nice story that will shape the future of the franchise.

Grade: A

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PERFORMANCES
Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone’s chemistry could not be more real (credit them being a real-life couple). Their scenes together were really good. Garfield is not a better Spider-Man than Toby, but rather a different version as both Peter Parkers/Spider-Man were portrayed differently. Garfield fits this Spidey well because he has that natural humor that Spider-Man had in his early comic days and he can also play the goofy teen and the serious minded wall-crawler with ease. Stone is a natural at every role she does and Gwen Stacy is no exception. Stone shows that Gwen is more than just a brainy scientist and she is her own woman and doesn’t crap from anybody inlcudind Spider-Man. Harry Osborn is also a constant figure in the Spider-Man films and Dane DeHaan played Harry ten times better than James Franco so I had no issues there. Franco just didn’t play the “I own a big corporation” role as he probably should have. I like how Harry is this film is an old friend rather than a stable because it puts the focus where it needs to be on Spider-Man.

Grade: A

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SCORE
The score is pretty unique in the sense that it was done by Hans Zimmer with the help of Pharrell Williams and the Magnificent Six. Most of the tracks don’t seem much like Zimmer as we hear tones of dubstep and hip hop in a film that feels more digital. While this isn’t Zimmer’s best work, it’s much better the the first Amazing Spider-Man and is more than serviceable.

Grade: B+

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FINAL THOUGHTS
Comparing this film to Winter Solider is really unfair because both movies are in two completely different worlds. The events in Captain America changed the landscape of the rest of the films as well as a TV show, while Spider-Man has also changed its landscape as well. OSCORP is the movie equivalent of HYDRA/SHIELD and the events that occurred in AMS2 will also affect OSCORP (Sinister Six) likewise. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is not a perfect movie and in fact, it took me several viewings to really come to understand what they are trying to and trying to expand the world of one character is very hard but Sony is going in the right direction with this film.

Overall Grade: A

Director: Nick Cassavetes
Writers: Melissa Stack
Stars: Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, Kate Upton

Synopsis: After discovering her boyfriend is married, Carly soon meets the wife he’s been cheating on. And when yet another affair is discovered, all three women team up to plot mutual revenge on the three-timing SOB.

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DIRECTION
The Other Woman automatically will get praise amongst most women because it is about female empowerment. Before every person with no Y chromosome comes after me, I will say that I love romantic comedies as About Time was on my top 10 movie list of last year. My favorite film series is Underworld, so I respect and admire films that show female empowerment. The Other Woman is the perfect film that personifies the chick-flick genre as one man learns that you need to make sure you check your side-chicks Facebook and Twitter profiles because you never know how connected they are. Essentially, the direction of this film was horrendous. The Other Woman tries too hard to push sentimental moments in this film but they were quite frankly too long and boring. One particular scene that drove me nuts was towards the end when all three ladies are sitting on the beach. The scene felt like it was 2 hours long and was simply used to stretch the running time.

Grade: F

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SCRIPT
Carly (Cameron Diaz) is seen being courted by her lovely boyfriend Mark (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). Carly and Mark are shown having a joyous time and Carly feels like she has found the perfect beau. As we learn from a well-dressed-must-be-that-Young-Money success Nicki Minaj (Lydia) that Carly has had some trouble in the dating scene lately. It is pretty quickly that we meet Kate (Leslie Mann) bubbly, dutiful, housewife who in her own terms needs to go to “brain camp”. Carly one night shows up at Mark’s residence in high heels, hot-pants and a tool belt to “fix his plumbing”. Carly is shocked to find out that Kate is Mark’s wife and in one of many desperate jabs for laughs breaks a heel and destroys an urn. Before you know it, these circumstances lead to these two what I feel are perhaps the most “entertaining” scenarios in the film; namely, Mann freaking out about her life crumbling before her eyes and seeking out Diaz at every waking moment, who wants absolutely nothing to do with this raving lunatic. The film drags on and on until we learn that there is a third woman in Amber (Kate Upton). Amber has nothing to offer in this film except be eye candy for the male audience. Eventually, Amber joins the two women and all three set out to destroy Mark in the most non Tarantino way possible. I am kind of ashamed that the script was written by a female because she has zero respect for her own characters. In addition to Barbie, Kate is a brainless Stepford wife and Carly is reduced to tripping over heels and face planting into bushes (twice).

Grade: C-

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PERFORMANCES
Mann and Diaz do the best they can with the script that is dryer than a bum’s elbow. There is only enough of their antics that you can take before you become bored and while Upton was okay, her character added nothing to the film. Surprisingly, Nicki Minaj was actually half-way decent in this film and Coster-Waldau did a great job of drafting his team. Mann was not nearly as good as she was in other films but her performance and actor was a result of the script. Diaz is an actresses that makes me cringe every time she is onscreen but I was able to tolerate her most of the film.

Grade: C

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SCORE
The score is pretty generic here and is mostly just noise. Also, playing the Mission Impossible theme during a “spy” mission is so cliched. Overall, the music here is not very good.

Grade: D

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FINAL THOUGHTS
I did not expect a great ending but the ending this film gives is pretty embarrassing and a slap in the face to the audience. The lone bright spot in this film was the dog, Thunder. Thunder was on point and hilarious.

Overall Grade: D+

Director: Gareth Evans
Writers: Gareth Evans
Stars: Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, Arifin Putra

Synopsis: Only a short time after the first raid, Rama goes undercover with the thugs of Jakarta and plans to bring down the syndicate and uncover the corruption within his police force.

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DIRECTION
Gareth Evans once again brings us an action-packed martial arts action film, the directly follows up his 2011 film, The Raid: Redemption. The fight choreography is nothing short of spectacular once again as you feel every kick, punch and stabbing that happens quite frequently throughout The Raid 2. The action in many sequences is not for the faint of heart, where the violence is harrowing and intense. The last 30 minutes of this movie alone is worth the price of admission, as the final fight sequences are some of the best ever captured on film.

Grade: A

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SCRIPT
The story literally picks up right after the events of The Raid: Redemption, where we see Rama (Iko Uwais) taking Wahyu to another trustworthy cop, Bunawar (Cok Simbara), since the police force seems corrupted. At the same time, rising gangster Bejo (Alex Abbad) assassinates Rama’s brother and thus things are set in motion. In order to expose the police corruption, Bunawar knows they must infiltrate the Bangun gang, who is the core foundation paying off the police. Bunawar sends Rama into prison to infiltrate the gang and get on the inside, which lands Rama in prison for a year and half, much longer than he promised. When he’s released, Rama tails Bangun’s son Uco to get further on the inside and to eventually take them down. What made the first Raid so great, was the fact that it was simple. It was mostly, “here there’s a bad guy in this building, let’s go kill him,” and that was pretty much it. While the action, again, is great here, the script is way overly complicated, introduces many villains and a few subplots that were unnecessary. It’s almost as Evans felt he had to explain what was going on in the first Raid to give it more context and make this story seem more real. However, while well-intended, I found it too convoluted for a story like this. It’s the action we want, which made the film seem dry at times. Overall though, if you can follow, the action is worth it.

Grade: B-

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PERFORMANCES
Iko Uwais once again is fantastic as Rama, and not just in the big action moments, but makes us feel the humanistic side of him, as we see him struggle with just wanting to go home and be done with this. However, he’s forced into this situation and has to fight is way out, which Uwais showcases masterfully. Arifin Putra and Tio Pakusodewo, who run the Bangun family, have some really great moments together and helped keep the story moist when it felt dry at times. Yayan Ruhian, who was in The Raid: Redemption, plays a different character here because he’s too badass to not have in this film. Do I need to say more?

Grade: A-

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SCORE
Much like the Americanized score from the first film, Joseph Trapanese gets the nod to score here again, alongside Aria Prayogi and Fajar Yuskemal. The score is subtle but add a great deal of intensity to the action sequences, which is obviously the big focus in a film like this. It’s not one you’ll remember per se, but it fits this film very well.

Grade: B+

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FINAL THOUGHTS
Forget the script and it’s over complicated plot, the action is awesome. It alone, as you could imagine, is easily worth the price of admission. There’s an action sequence toward the end between Rama and the villains Hammer Girl, Baseball Bat Man, and the Assassin, that is just jaw dropping, martial arts awesomeness. Go see this film.

Overall Grade: A-

Director: Denis Villeneuve
Writers: Javier Gullón (screenplay), José Saramago (novel)
Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mélanie Laurent, Sarah Gadon

Synopsis: A man seeks out his exact look-alike after spotting him in a movie.

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INTRO
A Man walks down a long, dark corridor. The man is one of many, gazing wide-eyed as women dance naked for their pleasure. One women masturbates onstage as the men watch impassively. The dance ends and two more women make an appearance, one carrying a silver tray, placing it on the floor and lifting the lid. A brown tarantula is revealed and it slowly crawls off the tray as one of the women moves to squash the arachnid under her heel. One of the two Gyllenhaal characters is there. Enemy begins.

DIRECTION
Right from the start Enemy is clearly a different web from the one Gyllenhaal and Villeneueve shot at almost the same time, Prisoners. Enemy is a film that will stick with you well beyond the credits and for that, I admire this movie. The imagery and tone of this film is remarkable and from the opening scene we see just how great the imagery is. Enemy is a film that you will not be able to figure out right away, in fact it took me a couple weeks to even be able to write this review. If you enjoy films that are very cut and dry with no arguing on what this or that meant, Enemy will not be something you enjoy. I challenged everyone to watch the film anyways because it is a visual masterpiece. Villeneueve chooses a unique way to shoot the film to get us to feel uncomfortable and comfortable at the same time through medium and close up shots. Being uncomfortable in this film puts your mind right in the psyche of the film. Villeneueve hopes that the imagery, eerie score, yellow palette of the film entrances us and enables us to piece together the web.

Grade: A+

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SCRIPT
We are first introduced on screen to Adam Bell (Gyllenhaal), a university professor who pretty much does the same thing every day. Adam lectures of dictators, then goes home to his beautiful girlfriend Mary (Melanie Laurent). They have sex. He sleeps. He wakes. She’s gone. The web spins the same way until a co-worker randomly suggest a film. Adam watches the film one night and he is awakened by a recurring scene from the film, where a bell hop seems look just like him. Adam views the credits and lists all the bell hops. One by one he researches all the names and he is dumbfounded when he searches for Anthony Claire (Gyllenhaal). He eventually contacts Anthony’s also beautiful and pregnant wife Helen. (Sarah Gadon). Other than Adam/Anthony, Helen is the only person whose viewpoint we get to see. Helen’s scene either adds to the current web or spins its own web. Through Helen we are able to see the two shades of Jake. Bell is logical, and calm while Anthony is animalistic, and impulsive. How can she see both Jakes? Are you sure they are not lookalikes? The beauty of Enemy.

Grade: A

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PERFORMANCES
Jake Gyllenhaal delivers the performance of a lifetime playing both Adam Bell and Anthony St. Claire. Both men are identical down to a scar on their body, confirming that they are not doppelgängers, but rather the same person. The movie will give you no direct answer to who is real and who is the figment of the other man’s psyche. Gyllenhaal is able to keep “Adam” and “Anthony” separate through body language and facial cues. Even when the men take over each other’s identities, you can always tell them apart. Sarah only has a small amount of screen time but she is a standout in her role as well as Melanie Laurent.

Grade: A+

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SCORE
Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans create a vital score for this film which help elevates it’s dark undertones and ambiguous, thrilling narrative. Big, pulsating organ tones, as well as creepy strings help give it the creepy-crawler vibe we feel throughout the film. Great work here.

Grade: A

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FINAL THOUGHTS
Enemy is probably one of the best films I’ve seen in the last few years, as it is a total mind teaser and the acting by Gyllenhaal brings this movie to a level not even Goku could reach. The acting is equally matched by the fantastic script by Javier Gullón. Enemy will probably be my best film of 2014, as what this movie did for my mind I’m sure no other movie can challenge me like this one did. I cannot say this enough but please check out Enemy either on demand are in theaters.

Overall Grade: A+

Director: Jason Bateman
Writers: Andrew Dodge (screenplay)
Stars: Jason Bateman, Rohan Chand, Kathryn Hahn, Allison Janney

Synopsis: A spelling bee loser sets out to exact revenge by finding a loophole and attempting to win as an adult.

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DIRECTION
Jason Bateman has become one of those comedians that people have grown to like or really be annoyed, so people probably have made up their minds before going into this film. Bad Words has the material that is right up Bateman’s ally, which is always helpful for a first time director. Bateman, from the moment we first see him, sets the tone comedically, all while preserving a little something extra beneath the surface. This movie mostly hinges on the script and whether or not you buy into the logic and if you’re okay with abrasive, offensive dialogue. For a first time director, Bateman takes what he has and does a fine job with it, if you ask me.

Grade: B+

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SCRIPT
The story centers around Guy Trilby (Bateman), who has decided to enter The National Spelling Bee, and has worked his way through all the qualifiers in strong fashion to get there. Trilby, however, is in his mid 30’s, which is a little difference in age compared to his contenders. He’s bent the rules but has not broken them, thus he’s allowed to compete but has made just about everyone around him pretty ticked off. While on the way to the National Bee, he meets Chaitanya Chopra (Rohan Chand), a small kid with Indian descent, who is looking to befriend Trilby. From here, the racism and sexist behavior is amplified on levels we hope to never see our own children experience at that age. The dialogue is beyond offensive, but can be funny depending on your own personal outlook. As Trilby is working his way through the Bee, with amazing quality I might add, we see that he is extremely motivated. There are some very personal reasons as to why he is doing what he’s doing, leaving room for some actual intrigue. Most comedies are either slapstick or so superficial that the enjoyment is as it is, where Bad Words had a little something more. The comedy was mostly hit or miss, but for me, there was a little depth that was intriguing for me. Give me more of that, and you’ll sell me.

Grade: B

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PERFORMANCES
Like I said, you either like Bateman or don’t, at least for most people. Given the character, Bateman does a fantastic job of selling this character and his deeply rooted motivations. He’s a guy on a mission and uses offensive language to plow over anyone in his path, and Bateman really brought those elements to life here. Rohan Chand, for a first time actor, was incredible as well. The chemistry he has with Bateman is palpable and really serves this story well. Kathryn Hahn, whom I normally don’t care for, also added some layers that lifted up what would normally be a superficial comedy.

Grade: A-

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SCORE
Normally comedies don’t have scores that don’t mean much, but Rolfe Kent adds yet another layer that sets the foundation of the tone that carries this movie. If this film was a more light-hearted comedy, then sure, the score would probably mean nothing. Kent, however, has some great experience with films that has darker undertones and adds a score that is much needed here. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that dark, but it’s very inspired.

Grade: B+

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FINAL THOUGHTS
Bad Words definitely has it’s funny moments but lets you decide whether or not you believe this character and his motivations. Are they good enough for him to cross the lines? Bateman leaves that up to you and for me, it works on those levels because it’s not a dumb, shut-off for two hours kind of comedy. His character is deeply hurt and has something to prove, and despite what you think of it, those elements are usually interesting. And it worked for me here.

Overall Grade: B+