Movie Review: Inception

Christopher Nolan both wrote and directed this film, and coming off the heels of The Dark Knight, he had a lot to live up to. Leonardo DiCaprio heads up a cast that includes names like Michael Caine, Cillian Murphy (both of which have been in the pair of Nolan's Batman films), Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Ken Watanabe. When I first saw the trailers, I figured it would be very centered on DiCaprio, but I was pleased to find out that, even though he was a main focal point, it was very much an ensemble cast. It follows a task force of mercenaries that go into people's dreams and con them into giving up some kind of sensitive information. It's a very complicated process and it involves a lot of training, skill, and patience. As this crew embarks on what could potentially be one of their most difficult and dangerous missions, they also have to face some inner demons that they may not be prepared for. This movie is like The Matrix, but not as big and flashy. It's more espionage, and less balls-out craziness. It runs for two and a half hours, but it's solid from beginning to end. This is THE big summer blockbuster that everyone's been looking forward to, and it does not disappoint! Check it out!

I give Inception a 10 outta 10.

Movie Review: Kick-Ass

Kick-Ass! When I used to work at a comic shop (Treasure Island Comics in Fremont, CA... Check 'em out!) I loved it when people would come in and ask how the book was. The answer was always the same after every issue that came out: Kick-Ass! Punny? Most definitely. Wrong? No. This movie was in the works even before the first story arc was completed, and with the creative team working closely with the production, I had a feeling the movie would be just as Kick-Ass as the book, and I was right. Matthew Vaughn did it again, proving why he is one of my favorite directors right now. I'm not even a big fan of Nick Cage's recent stuff, but I liked him in this movie a lot. There was a lot of controversy about the young character of Hit-Girl (Chloe Moretz) and the "adult content" that the character takes part in, and I understand the concern, but let's be honest... she kicked major ass! The movie was shot really well, the soundtrack was awesome, and the cast was perfect. I loved every second of it. Is that just the fanboy in me geeking out? Maybe, but if you want to see a shit-ton of action and violence, this movie delivers!

I give Kick-Ass a 9 outta 10.

Movie Review: Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief

When director, Chris Columbus left the Harry Potter franchise, I figured it was to do something different, but I guess I was wrong. The big difference here though is that Columbus traded in his broom for a pair of winged shoes. This story is full of mythology and adventure, and is full of recognizable faces. From Catherine Keener to Pierce Brosnan, Uma Thurman to Rosario Dawson (who looked INCREDIBLY hot) there were stars around every corner. As a kid, I was really into Greek mythology, so I liked the story a lot (though I have never read the book it was based on). It told of the son of Poseidon, the God of the Sea, and the human woman he fell in love with (Keener). When Zues' lightning bolt is stolen from Olympus, all fingers point to Percy, who is unaware of his Godly heritage. Once he finds out about his past, it's up to him to find out who really took the lightning bolt and return it in order to save his mother and stop a war between the Gods. If you like these kinds of movies, you'll dig this one, but if the Harry Potter or Narnia movies don't do it for you, then steer clear. It's a fun ride though and the I enjoyed it.

I give Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief a 6 outta 10.

Movie Review: Green Zone

Political drama, hidden in an action movie. That pretty much sums up this film. It wasn't bad at all, but after a while, it was pretty evident that you could see where things were headed. Matt Damon plays an officer who is torn between his duty as a soldier and what he knows is the right thing to do. Greg Kinnear plays the douche that spreads lies about WMDs in Iraq, and when the intel doesn't check out, others start to question the validity of his claims. Brenden Gleeson (In Bruges) doesn't buy it and hatches a plan with Damon to get the truth out. When the stakes are this high though, the truth can be a dangerous thing. It's not quite the next 'Bourne' movie I was expecting, but still had plenty going on to keep the war-time action on par with the conspiracy side of the story. It's worth a watch, but just be prepared for the heavy political agenda that comes along with it.

I give Green Zone a 7 outta 10.

TV Review: Entourage (Season 7 Premier)

This is, in my opinion, a show that has a tendency of pulling the audience back in every season with new obstacles and issues right off the bat and getting right back on that roller coaster ride that is Entourage. Last season, we saw Vince on the outs in Hollywood and then reclaim his place when he played the lead in Scorsese's Gatsby. We saw Turtle start to follow his own path. Drama was staring on a hit show and somehow managed to mess that up as usual. E dealt with life without Sloan, and then ended up proposing to her. And last but definitely not last, Ari became the biggest Agent in the world when he bought his old agency from Terrance. The new season starts off with a bit of a jump in time. Vince is working on a new movie and is pressured into doing something that he may regret. Both E and Ari are busy and happy, and even Turtle is running his own business. Drama is already in a panic right away, and things are off to a running start as Season 7 kicks off. Tune in Sunday nights on HBO for the new season or catch the reruns on Spike TV.

I give Entourage (Season 7 Premier) a 5 outta 5.

Movie Review: Grown Ups

If you like Adam Sandler movies, then this is a must-see for you. The big difference between this movie and his other movies is that this one shows a more grown up side (pun actually not intended) that doesn't have him talking in weird voices and screaming at people throughout the film. Then you add Kevin James, and fellow SNL alums: David Spade, Rob Schneider, Chris Rock, Maya Rudolph and even guest spots for Colin Quinn (who I really enjoy) and Tim Meadows. On top of that, Selma Hayek, Steve Buscemi also supply a good deal of humor. With such a large cast, it is fairly easy to follow the story and keep track of all of the relationships while you get to know this diverse and hearty group. The only thing that bugged me was that some of the jokes came across as cheap gags, and were just put in for laughs, but did not add anything to the story. Some of them were just one timers, and others were recurring jokes throughout the film that would have been better off if they did not repeat. All together though, the movie was really enjoyable and a good choice for a summer flick for the whole family to enjoy.

I give Grown Ups a 7 outta 10.

Movie Review: The Book of Eli

Denzel! Gary Oldman! Mila Kunis! All playing in a kind of Max Maxish future where books are hard to come by, but Eli has a very special and rare book in his possession. When Carnegie (Gary Oldman) finds out, he will stop at nothing to get it. Hell, he's even willing to whore out his step-daughter, Solara (Kunis) if it gets him what he wants. In this movie, Denzel is a total bad-ass, and Oldman goes back to playing a nasty SOB like in the good ole days. Add a helping of a dirty, desolate future and a bunch of people running around looking for hidden treasures from the past, such as soap... Yeah, I know, classy. If our future is anything like this movie, then we are pretty much screwed. It's a fun movie, but not too stimulating.

I give The Book of Eli a 5 outta 10.

Movie Review: Quatantine

I waited quite a while before seeing this movie, and after sitting down and watching it the other night, I realize that I could have waited longer. The story follows a TV show host as she hangs out at a fire house one night and when they go out on a routine call, things start to get weird. When it first came out, I was under the impression that they would be up against zombies, or some kind of exorcism type of situation. To my surprise, they were instead up against a strain of super-rabies that one of the tenants was developing. Exciting, right? Not so much, even with the added bonus of the shaky cam from beginning to end... The tenants, TV host, camera man, firefighters and a couple cops are all trapped inside while people continue to get infected and things get worse. Honestly, if you're really looking for something to watch, it's not the worst choice you could make, but don't go looking for this one.

I give Quarantine a 4 outta 10.

(I give a point or two for senseless violence)

Movie Review: Legion

The end of the world! The Rapture! For a small group of people trapped in a rundown diner on a remote road, it's going to be a Hell of an experience. The young waitress is pregnant and if her child is born, God is gonna be pissed! The Archangel, Michael thinks that is lame and decides to take matters into his own hands and goes against the greater good to protect mother and expected child, while Gabriel, his fellow angel, has decided to stay true to the cause and send a shit-ton of weird zombie-goblin people raining down on the diner like the plague. Can Michael, the pregnant chick, Dennis Quaid, Tyrese Gibson, Kate Walsh, Charles S. Dutton (with a hook-hand, no less), and the rest of their ragtag band of yokels and tourists stave off the apocalypse and see that this kid gets born and screws up God's plan? To find out, watch the movie. I'm not just going to tell you.

I give Legion a 6 outta 10.

TV Review: Breaking Bad (Seasons 1-3)

Okay, I was a little behind the hype on this show, but after speeding through it over the last couple of weeks, I have officially caught up all the way the the end of the most recent third season. Bryan Cranston is remarkable as Walter White, part-time high school science teacher, part-time meth supplier, full time husband, father, and cancer patient. With Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) as his junkie, meth-peddling business partner, and a brother-in-law with the DEA (Dean Norris) you can only imagine how the show begins. Throughout the first three seasons, we see Walt's ups and downs in the drug community. We see him battle with cancer and his mortality, and we see him do the best he can to make sure that his family is taken care of when he's gone. With a supporting cast that tends to change from time to time and danger around every corner, things never get boring. That, and seeing the occasional severed head riding the back of a tortoise in the desert, among other shenanigans, always keep you guessing how it's all going to turn out. If you have not seen this show yet, but you've thought about it, you should just do it! You totally have time to catch up before the next season starts! There is no excuse.

I give Breaking Bad (Seasons 1-3) a 5 outta 5.

TV Review: Futurama (Season 6, Episodes 1-2)

Alright, I am kicking off a new set of reviews right now, and what better way to start, than with something that was dead, and brought back to life! Starting now, I am also going to be reviewing TV shows and a variety of other sources of entertainment across many mediums. The main difference between the ratings for TV shows is that I will only be rating them on a scale of 1 to 5, while I will continue to review movies on a 1 to 10 scale. And here we go...

Futurama first debuted on Fox back in 1999 and ran for five years before Fox pulled the plug. Can you believe we have not had any new episodes since 2003?! Well, after all this time and three direct to DVD movies, the show is back on the air and debuted with two brand new episodes the other night. With the entire voice cast returning and familiar banter all around, it felt like they never left. How the show will hold up this time around, we can only guess. In my opinion, they didn't really have to fix it because it was never really broken, and I think they know that to be the case as well.

I give the new season of Futurama a hopeful 4 outta 5.

Movie Review: She's Out Of My League

This movie, in my opinion, was in and out of theaters with little notice at all, but now that I've sat down and watched it, I can say that it's actually not too bad. Jay Baruchel was fully able to carry the film as Kirk, a mind-mannered airport security guard with low self-esteem. Then Molly, played by Alice Eve, shows up and she is, as they point out a thousand times, a perfect ten. The supporting cast is pretty entertaining, including Nate Torrence (Get Smart), T.J. Miller & Mike Vogel (Cloverfield), and Krysten Ritter (Breaking Bad) as well as Debra Jo Rupp (That 70's Show). Self-esteem and image concerns aside, there are some really funny moments (most courtesy of Vogel, Torrence, and Ritter) mixed with a little physical comedy and some crude humor really make it a good mix of funny from all angles. It's worth it if you're interested in seeing it.

I give She's Out Of My League a 7 outta 10.

Movie Review: Hot Tub Time Machine

And the good times keep on 'a rolling! I was interested in this movie, but was really scared that it was gonna suck. Too bad I didn't have anything to worry about. Four friends got away for the weekend when their lives are almost too shitty to bear, when they are given a chance to go back to the 80's and live one of their most epic weekends all over again. Are there consequences to going back in time? Will things work out better the second time around? Only "time" will tell (wow, that was punny, I'm sorry... but really I'm not). John Cusack was awesome... as usual (duh!) Craig Robinson was effin hilarious, proving once again that he has what it takes to be part of the comedic A-List of the new millennium. Clark Duke, who I truly enjoyed in Sex Drive (watch it if you haven't!!!) delivered another great performance here as he traveled back to the weekend of his conception. And Rob Corddry was perfect as the downer in the group with a lot to prove, or not. All this, and a supporting cast that includes Chevy Chase, Lizzy Caplan, and Crispin Glover makes this movie a great watch, and a whole lot of time-traveling fun!

I give Hot Tub Time Machine an 8 outta 10.

Movie Review: Iron Man 2

As anyone that knows me can tell you, I am a sucker for comic book movies and besides the fact that Iron Man rocked, and I know that Iron Man 2 would be a lead in to the Avengers movie, I was really looking forward to what this movie had to offer. Mickey Rourke playing Whiplash (who in the comics, was a shitty C-List baddie) mixed in with a little of the Crimson Dynamo back story and some cooler gadgets turned out to be a good choice for Jon Favreau along with a weasel like Justin Hammer (played to his full asshole potential by Sam Rockwell). When you add Nick Fury, Black Widow, and War Machine to the mix, I'm sure some people were a little overwhelmed, but for me as a big time fanboy, I effin loved it! Robert Downey Jr. was great, just like in the first movie, and Gwyneth Palthrow might have been even better this time around as Pepper Potts. Don Cheadle was a good Rhodey, but I don't know if I preferred him to Terrence Howard. Anyway, the length of the movie was good. I never got bored, and the plot was full enough to keep going for a full two hours without dragging on or getting ridiculous. Then, topping it all off with a special appearance from a certain Hammer after the credits... I'm not gonna lie, I shed a single tear. All in all, it was a fun movie, and that's all I could have asked for.

I give Iron Man 2 an 8 outta 10.

I found this quote kind of inspiring. I hope you do too.

My Return To The Land Of The Living!

So I have been absent from my blog for a while, but I intend to fix that now. The good news is that I haven't had the chance to see too many movies, and the ones that I have seen, I am updating blogs for now.

Secondly, on top of movie reviews, I will also be reviewing some TV shows and updating some treats as well from time to time. I also have a couple other surprises in the works, so get excited and check back often because shit's gonna get crazy up in here! (I want to apologize for that last bit, I honestly don't know where it came from).

Stay tuned folks, Deuce's Wild 2.0 is here and it's gonna be a wild ride!

Movie Review: Alice In Wonderland

I love Tim Burton. I love Johnny Depp. I did not love Alice In Wonderland. Some things were good, but others were just odd and confounding. Sure, it's supposed to be Wonderland, and things there are supposed to be insane, but that should not be used as an excuse for flawed storytelling. Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter was just awkward, and his role was way more important than the character needs to be (but if you're gonna pay Johnny Depp to be in a movie, you're sure as hell gonna use him!) I was entertained my Helena Bonham Carter's shenanigans, as usual, but again, it was just not enough to redeem it for me. The Cheshire cat was good, but Alice was dry and emotionless in my opinion. Eh, I could keep going, but why waste my breath on a movie that came out six months ago... At least it was pretty to look at.

I give Alice In Wonderland a 5 outta 10.

Movie Review: Sherlock Holmes

I am a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes, most notably the old Universal serials from the 40’s with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. There have been many incarnations of the character over the years and even though each has it’s own flavor, the core of the character remains the same. Solving mysteries by exploiting the most basic of observations that most people look right past. The master sleuth’s adventures, accompanied by is loyal companion Dr. Watson and with the aid of Inspector LeStrade and Scotland Yard are always full of twists and turns and entertaining. This new incarnation with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law does not disappoint. Their version of the duo is much more action oriented and it does make sense in our current day and age that they would need to be in order to draw more people into the theater. Though Downey’s version of Holmes took a little getting used to, Law’s Watson was fantastic from start to finish. Rachel McAdams was a fitting addition as well playing Irene Adler, a savvy femme fatale whose intentions are unclear for the duration of the film. With Lord Blackwood as the main villain and a very occult feel to the film, the tone was dark and dreary, matching the look of London in Guy Ritchie’s take. I enjoyed it, and I’m looking forward to seeing more in the future.

I give Sherlock Holmes an 8 outta 10.

Movie Review: Avatar

Okay, this review is a little overdue, but better late than never. No one can dispute that James Cameron is one of the greatest directors of our time. His movies are legendary; including Aliens, Titanic, Terminator and more. Avatar was visually captivating. The CG was immaculate. The story was entertaining and full. The cast was top-notch as well. As much praise as this film has gotten however, I still saw a few flaws in my opinion. My first issue was with the mechs. Not actually with the mech suits themselves, but with their weapons. Firstly, why aren’t their weapons built in? That is very inconvenient. And even more that that, shy do the operators have to mime holding the weapons? Again, not really the most productive way to do things if you ask me. I don’t know about you, but if I was miming holding a gun whilst controlling a big-ass mech armor, I might be a little hindered. Just an observation. The other thing that bothered me, and I feel that most people just glanced over it without any thought… The story was nothing I haven’t seen a thousand times! I even heard someone reference Fern Gully a couple weeks back. Hahaha. If that doesn’t explain where I’m coming from, nothing will. Now, don’t get me wrong, I still thoroughly enjoyed the film. It was entertaining and colorful and a great piece of film.

I give Avatar an 8 outta 10.