Branch Out: 8 Seconds (1994)

A movie you may have missed- less than 25,000 reviews on IMDB.

 

A film based on the life of Lane Frost, 1987 PRCA Bull Riding World Champion who takes on a bull that no man should ride.

My Rating: 7/10

IMDB Ratings: 2,974

Source: IMDB

Weekly Recap: September 8- 14, 2013

A recap of the movies I watched for the first time this past week.

Featured:

 Wreck it Ralph (2012)- 8/10

I always wondered what it was like to 'live' inside a video game. As cool as it would be, I'm sure, as Ralph finds out, it would get tiresome doing the same thing over and over again. This movie is funny, clever and just down-right fun. I enjoyed all the video game references, and the DVD has the coolest pause feature I've come across. 

The Rest:

Chinatown (1974)- 8/10- I can see why it is considered a classic. Nicholson was great in this murder mystery.

Now You See Me- (2013)- 5/10- The 'magic' parts were pretty awesome, but the rest of the movie was just okay.

Scooby Doo! The Mystery Begins (2009)- 5/10- Despite being a lower-budget, direct-to-DVD, it is just as good as the live-action Scooby Doo flicks that hit the big screen. 

Along Came a Spider (2001)- 4/10- Even if you didn't see it coming, the 'twist' at the end isn't enough to save it.

Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil (2011)- 4/10- A funny fairy-tale flick at times, but lacked something. Maybe it needed more Andy Dick.

Screwballs 2: Loose Screws (1985)- 3/10- A raunchy 80's comedy that just wasn't very funny.


Movies watched this week: 7
Movies watched in 2013: 139

Source: IMDB 

Trailer of the Week: Grudge Match (2013)

Rocky versus Raging Bull.... the long awaited showdown. Never mind that is about 30 years too late. The plot is very close to Rocky Balboa- a video game boxing match leads to a real-life showdown- but this time is two old rivals rather than the old champ versus the new one. I am intrigued enough to watch. I don't expect the boxing to be great with the age of the two actors, but De Niro and Stallone look like they can still throw down. Grudge Match is set to release on Christmas Day.

Source: YouTube

Branch Out: The Program (1993)

A movie you may have missed- less than 25,000 reviews on IMDB.

 

 

Players at ECU deal with the pressures of playing football at a major university. Some turn to drinking, others to drugs, and some to studying.

My Rating: 7/10

IMDB Ratings: 5, 793

Source: IMDB

Weekly Recap: September 1- 7, 2013

A recap of the movies I watched for the first time this past week. 

Featured:

Mud (2012)- 6/10

Two young boys help a fugitive escape bounty hunters and  reconnect with the woman he loves. Matthew McConaughey and the rest of the cast were quite great here, but I wasn't a big fan of the direction the movie took in the final act. It was still a pretty good movie. 

The Rest:

Noobz (2012)- 4/10- This 'gamer' movie had it's funny moments, but was just okay overall. There was a funny appearance from 'that guy in Starship Troopers.'

Movies watched this week: 2

Movies watched in 2013: 132

Source: IMDB

Top 10 Football Movies

Football season is now upon us so I give you my top 10 football movies.

10. Friday Night Lights (2004)- 7/10

It really does a nice job of capturing just how big high school football is to 'smaller' towns- especially in Texas.  I hear the TV show is better, but I have not gotten into that yet.

9. Little Giants (1994)- 7/10

A fun family flick about a group of misfits taking on a juggernaut of a peewee football team. This was the only time I cheered for the Giants over the Cowboys. 

8. Brian's Song (1971)- 7/10

A touching, and true, story about legendary running back Gayle Sayers and his friend and teammate, Brian Piccolo, who finds out he is dying from cancer. 

7. The Program (1993)- 7/10

James Caan again makes the list as the head football coach of ECU, a college football team. It deals with the pressures to win, drug use, and college life in general.

6. Varsity Blues (1999)- 7/10

Another film showcasing high school football, but this one is a bit on the lighter side. Friday night football, drinking, stripping teachers and a whipped-cream bikini.

5. Necessary Roughness (1991)- 7/10

What do you get when you have to build a college football team with no scholarships? A team full of misfits, a female kicker, and a 34 year-old quarterback.

4. Remember the Titans (2000)- 8/10

Disney has really done a good job with their recent sports movies. Titans really captures the racial turmoil of the time period, and includes some good football action along the way.

3. Any Given Sunday (1999)- 8/10

Steamin' Willie Beamen! Oliver Stone probably isn't the guy you would expect to deliver an awesome football movie, but he does here. This was a great role for Al Pachino, and has the best football scenes of any of this list.

2. Jerry MaGuire (1996)- 8/10

The movie that popularized "Show me the money!" Although football isn't the central theme here, this is a great movie. Tom Cruise and Cuba Gooding, Jr. were a great team.

1. Rudy (1993)- 9/10

There is really no doubt in my mind what the best football movie is. I'm not a fan of Notre Dame, but this movie makes me one for a couple of hours. A true underdog story that gives me chills every time I watch it.








Source: IMDB

Trailer of the Week: Gravity (2013)

This one looks intense. James Cameron was quoted as saying that Gravity was the best space movie ever done- that is saying something coming from the direct of Aliens. Gravity features two top-notch actors in George Clooney and Sandra Bullock, and there appears to be some stunning visuals. The trailer has moved this movie up even higher on my most anticipated list. Gravity is set to hit theaters in October.


Source: YouTube

Branch Out: Necessary Roughness (1991)

A movie you may have missed- less than 25,000 reviews on IMDB.

 

After losing all their scholarships, the Texas State University Fightin' Armadillos are forced to build a team from actual students, a female kicker, and a 34 year old quarterback.

My Rating: 7/10

IMDB Ratings: 6,285

Source: IMDB

Weekly Recap: August 25- August 31, 2013

A recap of the movies I watched for the first time this past week. 

Featured: 

Olympus Has Fallen (2013)- 6/10

After the White House is attacked and the President is held hostage, Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) is the countries last hope. Leave it to Gerard Butler to take down a terrorist organization all by himself. The effects were weak at times, but it was fun, mindless action.






The Rest: 

Never Say Never Again (1983)- 5/10- Sean Connery really should have said 'Never Again' and stayed retired as James Bond.

Throw Momma from the Train (1987)- 5/10- I kind of expected more from a Billy Crystal- Danny DeVito comedy duo, but it had it's funny moments.


Movies watched this week: 3
Movies watched in 2013: 130


Source: IMDB

Branch Out: Rookie of the Year (1993)

A movie you may have missed- less than 25,000 reviews on IMDB.

 

12-year-old Henry Rowengartner signs on to pitch for the Chicago Cubs after an accident leaves him with a powerful pitching arm.

My Rating: 8/10

IMDB Ratings: 12,137

Source: IMDB

Weekly Recap: August 18- 24, 2013

A recap of the movies I watched for the first time this past week. 

Featured:

42 (2013)- 6/10

The story of Jackie Robinson, the man who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. The movie had potential, but it didn't quite live up to the power of the historical feat. The acting was decent, and the baseball scenes looked real enough, but the movie lacked heart. 

 
The Rest:

Outside Providence (1999)- 6/10- Dildo goes to prep school- a fun coming-of-age comedy.

Mercury Rising (1998)- 5/10- I was quite a performance by youngster Miko Hughes, and Bruce Willis plays a familiar role. 

Dredd (2012)- 4/10- For a movie where the action was pretty much non-stop, it was rather boring.

Movies watched this week: 4

Movies watched in 2013: 127

Source: IMDB

Trailer of the Week: Parkland (2013)

Parkland recounts the events that occurred at Dallas' Parkland Hospital on the day U.S. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. This will give us a glimpse into the lives of the others that were directly affected that day. It looks to me like this will be similar to Bobby (2006), which chronicled the night Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated. A great cast and great source material gives this movie the potential to be great. Parkland is set to hit theatres in October.

Source: IMDB, YouTube

From Daredevil to Superman to Batman

Ben Affleck may just tackle every superhero. First he was Matt Murdock, a.k.a. Daredevil- terrible movie in my opinion. Then he played the man that played Superman in Hollywoodland. And now he will be the new Batman.

I read a few weeks ago that WB wanted an 'older' Batman to star along Henry Cavill in their new Batman-Superman movie, and Ben fits that bill. I actually like the choice. He has a few years on the new Superman, but isn't too old to put on the mask and kick some tail. Aside for a few terrible performances (see Gigli) he has been pretty solid- especially the last few years.

The untitled Batman-Superman movie is shaping up quite well. Hopefully it is successful and we will finally get the Justice League movie that has been talked about for years now.

Source: JoBlo

Branch Out: Little Big League (1994)

A movie you may have missed- less than 25,000 reviews on IMDB.

 

 

Twelve-year-old Bill Heywood becomes the owner of the Minnesota Twins after his grandfather leaves him the team in his will. After firing the hated manager, Bill appoints himself as the leader of the team and attempts to lead them to the playoffs. 

 

 

My Ratings: 8/10

IMDB Ratings: 5,711

Source: IMDB

 

 

Weekly Recap: August 11- August 17, 2013

A weekly recap of the movies I watched for the first time this past week.

Featured:

Movie 43 (2013)- 3/10

An out of work writer pitches a movie with insane story lines.  They weren't lying when they said it was the biggest cast of stars ever assembled. That being said, it is just plain bad. I get why the actors would make a movie like this- take a break just to make a nonsense movie- but none of the stories were funny. They were just too over-the-top for my taste. 

The Rest:

It's a Disaster (2012)- 6/10- A funny movie in a not-so-funny situation. What would you do if you were stuck in a house with your closest friends, knowing you had just hours to live?

Something Borrowed (2011)- 5/10- A predictable rom-com in which John Krasinski is under utilized, but Ginnifer Goodwin is charming enough. 

Scooby Doo! Stage Fright (2013)- 5/10- Another Scooby Doo adventure- this one featuring a 'phantom' terrorizing a talent show. 

Megalodon: The Monster Shark Lives (2013)- 5/10- It caused quite a stir when people discovered it was a mockumentary (although obvious) but still an interesting look at the largest shark that ever existed. 

Bad News Bears in Breaking Training (1977)- 5/10- A lot of the kids are back, but it's not the same without Buttermaker as the coach.

Deathstalker (1983)- 2/10- A warrior with a magic sword out to save a princess from an evil magician by winning a tournament. The plot sounded fun at least. 

Slap Her... She's French (2002)- 2/10- A teen comedy? featuring extremely bad accents. 

Movies watched this week: 8

Movies watched in 2013: 123

Source: IMDB

Trailer of the Week: Prisoners (2013)

What a nightmare it must be to have your children go missing. The cast is top both for this one- with Hugh Jackman and Terrence Howard as the father's to the missing girls, Jake Gyllenhaal as the detective looking for them, and Paul Dano as the potential suspect. I certainly wouldn't want to face an angry Jackman; I don't suppose metal claws will be coming out of his hands though. Prisoners looks like it will be a fun thriller and I am quite sure we will get a twist or two. It is set to release in September.


Source: YouTube

Branch Out: Wet Hot American Summer (2001)

A movie you may have missed- less than 25,000 reviews on IMDB.

 

 

 On the last day of summer camp 1981, the counselors try to settle all their unfinished business. Including pent-up sexual frustrations, unresolved post-traumatic stress, pending separations and the big talent show.

 

 

My Rating: 8/10

IMDB Ratings: 18,280

Source: IMDB

Weekly Recap: August 4- August 10, 2013

A recap of the movies I watched for the first time this past week. 

Featured:

G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013)- 6/10

The Joes are back to stop Cobra Commander from taking over the world; including Joe himself. Most of the cast is new, but there are some familiar faces. As ridiculous as the first G.I. Joe was, I enjoyed it for what it was. I had the same feeling with Retaliation. As ridiculous as it is at times, it is still mindless fun. 

The Rest:

Jack Reacher (2012)- 5/10- Tom Cruise proves he can still bring it on the action front, but the movie was just lacking something to take it to another level.

Jack the Giant Slayer (2013)- 4/10-The animation was impressive at times, but overall it felt uninspired.

Movies watched this week: 3

Movies watched in 2013: 115

Source: IMDB

Trailer of the Week: Devil's Pass (2013)

The Dyatlove Pass Incident is one of the most fascinating stories I have come across. You should read up on it if you have not already heard of it. I'm glad that there will finally be a movie made about the incident, but I am a little wary of Devil's Pass. The found footage approach is a nice touch but it looks like the filmmakers may screw up a great historical story. It is hard to tell form the trailer, but there appears to be some underground bunker that houses strange creatures- not what I think of when I read about the 1959 incident. Regardless I will be checking it out. Devil's Pass has already been released in other countries, but is set to release in the US late August.


Source: YouTube

Top 10 Worst Shark Movies

In honor of Shark Week I wanted to put a list of my Top 10 Shark movies together, but aside from Jaws and Jaws II, there aren't many good ones. There are, however, a lot of bad ones. Thank you SyFy.

10. Dark Tide (2012)- 3/10

 

A year after her partner was killed by a great white shark, a professional diver (Halle Berry) returns to the water after a wealthy man pays her to dive with the great whites. 

9. Sharknado (2013)- 2/10

 

A freak hurricane hits Los Angeles, scooping up sharks in water spouts and carrying them inland.

8. Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus (2009)- 2/10

 

Two prehistoric sea creatures are freed from their icy grave and re-engage in battle along the California coast. 

7. Creature (1998)- 2/10

 

A marine biologist (Craig T. Nelson) tries to stop a shark-like creature that is terrorizing a secret military base and the island it is located on. 

6. Megalodon (2002)- 2/10

 

A deep-sea drilling operation frees a sixty-foot prehistoric shark- the Megalodon. 

5. Malibu Shark Attack (2009)- 2/10

 

A hunting pack of prehistoric goblin sharks terrorize lifeguards in their half sunken lifeguard stand after a tsunami floods Malibu. 

4. Dinoshark (2010)- 2/10

A dinoshark is freed from a glacier, thanks to global warming, and begins killing tourists and locals in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

3. Sharktopus (2010)- 2/10

 

A military created half-shark, half-octopus creature escapes and brings terror along the coast of Mexico.

2. Two-headed Shark Attack (2012)- 2/10

 

A two-headed shark sinks a Semester at Sea ship and goes after the survivors that escaped to a deserted atoll. 

1. Shark Attack 3: Megalodon (2002)- 1/10

Two researchers discover that the Megalodon is still alive in Mexican waters, and is feeding on anything that crosses its path. 

Source: IMDB