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Movie Review: Iron Man 3
03 weeks ago
by Review Nation
in Movie Reviews
Mixed feelings following the return of Iron Man.
By Derek Sante – Review Nation
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Billionaire Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) returns to fans still brilliant, but slightly broken. His life after the alien ordeal with The Avengers is riddled with worry and flashbacks. With no sleep and no mental reprieve, Stark shuts himself away in his shop to tinker, create and hide.
Unfortunately, hiding from the world isn’t really an option when your alternate identity is Iron Man. Dragged into a personal war with a new terroristic villain named The Mandarin (Sir Ben Kingsley), Stark must protect the ones he loves as his home and safety literally crumble around him.
Taking a massive beating physically and mentally has Stark working to regroup and revive his fighting spirit. The web becomes even more tangled as his girlfriend Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) is dragged into the fray by an ex-business associate named Aldrich Killian (Guy Pierce).
Seeking answers and the truth to this new foe finds Stark having to live more “Man” and less “Iron”. Realization lands when the insidious plan unfolds and the magnitude of the danger comes to light. Iron Man must now decide if his fight is based on revenge, saving the world or finding the woman that compels the man inside the suit.
If I’m to be honest, I wasn’t totally blown away by this movie. Overall the film is fun and entertaining, but the ideal “Epic-ness” of Iron Man and the Marvel universe weren’t there for me. In retrospect, the twists and the roles of the villains were minor let downs. Though I must say I did enjoy Director Shane Black’s humorous touches.
While it may not be as blockbustery as I wanted, the movie is not terrible by any means. Action, effects and humor all played their part well. Robert Downey Jr. brings Stark to life like only he can. The plot is interesting, but I must admit that it feels more episodic than previous films. Perhaps the gleam is off the rose, or maybe I just want more after the explosion that was The Avengers.
Whether you will love this film or not, all I can promise is that Tony Stark will return.
Grade: B
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running time: 2hr 20min.
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Movie Review: Pain and Gain
03 weeks ago
by Review Nation
in Movie Reviews
Movie Review: Pain and Gain
Insanity on steroids! A true story.
By Derek Sante – Review Nation
This true story begins with a small time muscle jockey name Daniel Lugo (Mark Wahlberg). Through an infomercial and seminar, Daniel decides he is a man in search of a plan and a way out of his weight class and tax bracket. He wants to make his rich dreams a reality and won’t let anything or anyone stand in his way. Working at Sun Gym with him is Adrian Doorbal (Anthony Mackie), a fellow bodybuilder that also feels he deserves more. Rounding out this workout troupe is recent criminal now on the reform Paul Doyle (Dwayne Johnson). Being fed the crumbs of life has finally taken its toll, so the three decide to put a little muscle into it.
Daniel takes his least used muscle, his brain, and put together a grand scheme to kidnap a rich client named Victor Kershaw (Tony Shaloub). Through intimidation and torture, they plan to own everything that is Victors and destroy anyone or anything that gets in their way.
As their wants and needs get met, they the three muscle-heads fall into personal turmoil and destructive paths. All the while, unbeknownst to them, a retired detective named Ed Du Bois (Ed Harris) is following their trail and puts stopping the “Sun Gym Gang” as a last item on his to-do list.
This movie is a slap to anyone questioning Michael Bay can deliver a great story after so many 3d movies filled with guns and explosions. The cast is perfect for this movie with Miami taking a real role as well. Looks for great performances from Dwayne Johnson as he follow his character down the rabbit hole. Pain and Gain is insane and every second you might have to remind yourself that its all based on truth, which might make you like it even more!
Grade: B+
MPAA Rating: R
Running time: 2hr 9min.
1 month ago
Movie Review: Oblivion
A beautiful movie in a desolate land inhabited by Tom Cruise and plot holes.
By Derek Sante – Review Nation
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It’s the year 2077; the world has been abandoned by all humanity after a war with an alien species makes Earth uninhabitable. The only humans left are a couple of technical caretakers who work to update and repair machines that guard huge aqua power-mining platforms.
The caretakers comprise of Jack Harper (Tom Cruise), a field tech that repairs downed robotic guard units. And his backup, Victoria (Andrea Riseborough), who surveys his missions and remotely watches his back. They work as a unit to complete the objectives they’ve been assigned by an overhead floating command.
With only two weeks left until Jack and Victoria are to rejoin the human race off-planet, an inbound spacecraft crashes into the planet and grabs Jack’s attention. Curiosity turns to puzzlement as he rescues a woman (Olga Kurylenko) who is quite literally “of his dreams.” As his reality crumbles and the truth comes to light, the ramifications of the world at large and the lie he has been living almost bring him to his knees.
Friends and enemies quickly change sides as Jack finds something and someone to live for. His only choice left, to forget the past and hopefully save the future…
First and foremost, Oblivion is quite beautiful; cinematic in every sense with great detail to the world at large. And while the story is inventive, I believe it loses something integral in the explanation arena. Reveals should be exciting and fun which was not delivered in a decisive way in this picture.
The other unfortunate victim in this movie is the plot which must be made of half Swiss cheese with all of the holes. Many alternatives were in constant play, only to have the final truth be less emotional than the sound arrangement would have you infer.
In the end, I believe direction takes a hit on this one. The gravity of the story fell with less of a bang and more like a ping. I wanted to like this movie, but as a true Sci-fi fan, it left me floating in space.
Grade: C+
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running time: 2hr 5min.
1 month ago
Movie Review: 42
History that makes you cheer here and now.
By Derek Sante – Review Nation
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The story follows two now historic men. The GM of the Brooklyn Dodgers Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) and the now hall of fame baseball player Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman). Two men who had dreams of money, fame and hopefully equality for a nation with a hidden turmoil. Remembered for breaking baseball’s color line, this story focuses on the hard fought journey of an older man’s dream and a younger man’s reluctance that transforms into heroism.
Jackie becomes this hero as he shows the fortitude of a man with a larger cause. Turning the other cheek was never harder as droves of press, the public, the law and even other players screamed their disapproval and rage.
Absorbing this rage would not be possible for Jackie without his GM Rickey behind him. History remembers the men who stepped through the door, but not always the men who opened it first. Branch Rickey created the opportunity and had the dream that shook Baseball and a nation.
“42″ is historic and entertaining with a great story and cast. The truth that arises from this film doesn’t cause awkward moments and the down points, but definitely creates cheer for the high ones. The story does focus on Jackie and his struggles, but the surprise in the movie is the scope given to Ford’s character Branch Rickey. He creates a surprisingly warm character and delivers a piece of history that should be remembered and celebrated.
Grade: B
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 1hr 28min
Movie Trailer – 42
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Interview: Cast of Evil Dead – Bruce Campbell, Shiloh Fernandez, Jessica Lucas
01 month ago
by Review Nation
in Interviews
Interview: Cast of Evil Dead – Bruce Campbell, Shiloh Fernandez, Jessica Lucas
1 month ago
Movie Review: Evil Dead
Remade with twice the horror!
By Derek Sante – Review Nation
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The cult-horror classic Evil Dead gets remade and updated from the original 1981 version. And while Bruce Campbell is missing, the original feel and look to Evil Dead remains.
The story follows five friends holed up in remote cabin for an extreme intervention. As they settle into the quiet and eerie surroundings of the forest they stumble upon a hidden package known as The Book of the Dead. With little realization of their actions they release its power and summon demons from the depths of hell and beyond.
As demons begin possessing the visitors, the fight to survive becomes the only goal. Through blood, anger and fear they must chop and destroy people they once called friends and family to survive.
A true horror classic built on the solid story and style first created by Sam Rami, this story only gets better with time. From chase shots to evil deadites, the suspense and gore will have you at the edge of your seats.
Running Time: 1hr 31min
Grade: B
MPAA Rating: R
Evil Dead – Cast Inteviews