CrystalsBonusAndReviews

Riveting! This film will have you on the edge of your seat. The fact that it is based on a true story that happened in the late 40′s makes it all the more fascinating! It is also the American version of the film directed by Gustavo Hernandez ”La Casa Muda”, which was released in 2010 in Argentina, but with slight differences. In the American version the names have changed as well as the reasons for the characters being in the house, but the synopsis remains the same. Elizabeth Olsen plays Sarah a girl who is working on a renovation project along with her father John played by Adam Trese and her Uncle Peter played by Eric Sheffer Stevens. All seems to be going well until she hears a loud sound. After that the terror begins.

The title suggests this is a ghost story about a haunted house and in a sense it is, but not the traditional haunted house. However it is a house full of dark secrets. Directors Kris Kentis and Laura Lau take you on a journey of pure fear and suspense. You never know what will happen next. Although the cinematography is not that great. There are some scenes in the film that are blurry where you can’t make out the images, especially those standing in the distance. Also the camera is a bit shaky in some scenes such as the opening scene where Sarah and her Father enter the house. It is definitely not the smooth cinematography found in most films, but this fact doesn’t necessarily destroy the film either.

It is very well acted. Elizabeth Olsen delivers a good performance. You can see and feel her fear. She draws you in to her trapped world. This is one film that every one should see to believe. The ending will blow your mind! It gets 3 out of 5 popcorn bags.

Danny Devito is the Lorax and nobody does it better! This film is a modern version of the beloved Dr. Seuss Book “The Lorax”. It’s a film with a very powerful message that transcends the screen and applies to situations and conditions of today. The message is very clear, which is that trees are important and they encourage us to plant more trees.  The songs are catchy and will keep your toes tapping. Betty White does a great job as the voice of Ted’s Grammy Norma. Zac Efron is te voice of Ted a boy who has a crush on Audrey voiced by Taylor Swift. A girl who wants to see a real tree. So urged by Grammy Norma Ted sets out to find the Onceler voiced by Ed Helms to find out what happened to all of the trees.

The 3D effects are very well done. The scene where the bed is in te river really gives you the feeling of shooting the rapids. The animals in the story are adorable especially the little bear cubs. The scene where the Onceler gives them marshmellows is really cute because the animals really love them. Even the Lorax likes them. The Lorax floats down to save the trees and the forest. This film is also very funny because the Lorax and the Onceler are at odds with each other.

The message in the fim is one that should be shared, which is why every one should see this movie. It is fun for all ages. It addresses the issues of the environment, which like in the film is in jeopardy unless something is done. It deserves 5 out of 5 popcorn bags.

This is a fantastic film because it gives you a glimpse of  what our military face during times of war. The other cool factor is that they used real Navy Seals to act in the movie as themselves. The Seals go on a dangerous mission to once again keep America safe. This film is a nonstop emotional thrill ride because you  get to know the Seals and their families. Before they go on the mission they all meet together for a beach barbeque with their families. You get to see what their lives are like and the loved ones they leave behind waiting for them to return. The story is very unique in the film being told in flash backs by the team members, but in a letter to one of the Navy Seal’s baby son explaining what type of guy his father is. It is very touching.

 The cinematography is beautiful as well. The scene where the Seals jump from the plane and are soaring throgh the air is amazing! It gives you the feeling of falling and flying with them.  The aerial shots are intense and full of adrenaline. It also really captures the Costa Rican country both beauty and poverty. The special affects are jaring! The scene where the suicide bomber kills the school children by using the disguise of an ice cream truck really captures the pure evil behind terrorism. This fact will also anger you as you watch the film. The blatant disregard for human life any human life is scary.

 This film also shows us an aspect of what our military goes through. The sacrifice they make putting their lives on the line so that we can be safe. Even though the mission in the film is fictional it does represent the type of missions we aren’t aware of and all the hidden dangers lurking to do harm to our country. Everyone should see this film! It gets 4 out of 5 popcorn bags.

This film is definitely an adventure that tries to keep true to the Jules Verne Novel Treasure Island. Dwayne Johnson plays Hank a guy trying to connect with his new stepson Sean played by Josh Hutcherson. So they embark on an adventure as something they could do together. Michael Caine plays Sean’s eccentric Grandfather Alexander who doesn’t really like Hank at first, but as the adventure progresses they grow on each other. Louis Guzman plays Gabato the helicopter pilot who flies them to the island along with his daughter Kailani played by Vanessa Hudgens.

The special effects remind you of Honey I Shrunk the Kids. The creatures in this fim tower over the characters. The bees and especially the ants definitely remind you of that film. Ther are some aspects of the film where the 3D effect is very effective such as the scene where they are in the helicopter and it is being ripped apart by the storm. The 3D effect gives you the feeling of spiraling through he eye of the storm and crashing  on the island. It feels abit like being on a roller coaster. Unfortunately that was the only scene that needed 3D. So the 3D really does nothing for the fim.

Michael Caine is a delight to watch and the wit that is exchanged between he and Dwayne’s characters gives the film something that will appeal to people of all ages. Which then gives this film something for everyone. While it probably won’t win any awards this film is fun and entertaining. It gets 3 out of 5 popcorn bags.

This is one film where the trailer is scarier than the actual film. Based on the novel by Susan Hill it is a creepy film but not scary with no Harry Potter comparisons. Daniel Radcliffe known for Harry Potter fame plays an Attorney Arthur Kipps who is sent to a village to settle the affairs of a deceased client. The opening scene shows Arthur getting ready to leave his young son Joseph played by Misha Handley to travel to the village. Artur is a man full of sorrow because he lost his wife during child birth leaving him to raise Joseph on his own. This is also evidenced by the scene where Joseph gives him a calendar he drew for him counting down the days until they would be reunited. He drew his father with a frown and told him that’s how he always looks. This film moves very slow, but once it gets going it does hold your attention.

It is a slow thriller without a lot if any thrilling moments. There were some pretty good cinematography especially the scene where the tide comes in and the shots of the murky water raging in is just exciting because you see the force of nature and how powerful it can be.  And as quickly as the tide rolls in by morning it has receded and the road is visible and accessible again.

The film is very dark and morbid, but it is also very well acted. Daniel Radcliffe delivers a good performance along with Janet McTeer who plays Mrs. Daily a woman haunted by the ghost of her son. She delivers a fabulous performance as a tortured soul. You really can see the pain and anguish of her character. Because of the good acting this film gets 3 out of 5 popcorn bags.

Phenomenal! This film is what film making is all about. Being that it took George Lucas over 20 years to make this film it definitely was worth the wait. From the opening to the last scene this film holds your attention. The characters draw you in since the film is based on true life events because the Red Tails were real men who risked their lives for our country. They were regarded as incapable and inadequately suited for combat by their white counter parts and they completely proved them wrong. The entire cast delivered spectacular performances. Terrence Howard delivers a brilliant performance as Col. A.J. Bullard who believed in his pilots ad fought to get them real meaningful missions.

Cuba Goooding Jr. does a good performance as Major Emanuelle Stance. The Tuskeegee Airmen did a lot for this country. They are responsible for sending many US Soldiers back home to their families safely. The film also depicts the racism they had to endure. The special effects are awesome!  It is trilling to watch the Tuskeegee Airmen take flight. The arial battles are thrilling! Lucus definitely put his stamp on it because the battles remind you a bit of Star Wars.

The film shows their struggle to be accepted. They had to work twice as hard to show their worth. They are truly remarkable men. The scene where they are escorting the bomber shows just how itense their job is and they never failed a mission. The explosions are huge and loud. The scene where Lightning blows up stuff is a thrll because it shows just how skilled he pilots are. This film is historical and a must see for the whole family. It definitely gets 5 out of 5 popcorn bags.

Emotional! This fim is spectacular! You will definitely need plenty of kleenex for this heart warming story based on the novel by Jonathan Safran Foer. Tom Hanks plays Thomas Schell a Jeweler and a Father who loves hs son Oskar played by Thomas Horn more than anything. The bond they share is very special because they share  love for adventure. He would devise these missions or treaure hunts for his son to embark up on. Sandra Bullock plays his wife Linda Schell who has no connetion with their son. As always Hanks delivers  a brilliant performance. Thomas Horn does a wonderful job as well. He really draws you into his character to the extent that you feel what he is feeling. He makes you want to jump through the screen and give him a big hug.

September 11th was a horrible day. This film gives us a glimpse into the life of a family that lost a loved one on that day ad how they cope with life with out him. The film opens with the relationship Oskar had with his Father.  In the opening scenes we see them spending time together and interacting with each other. The scene where Oskar is listening to his Father’s voice on the answereing machine is sosad because you can see just how much he misses his father.  The scene wherehe goes ino his Father’s closet and finds the key is powerful because he looks at it as a sign from his father and gives him a purpose.

It is good to see Max Von Sydow acting again on the big screen. He delivers a flawless performace as the silent  renter. Even though his character don’t speak his performance says a lot. This is an extraordnary film and one that is a must see. It gets 4 out of 5 popcorn bags.

Michael Fassbender plays Brandon a sex addict. This film takes you into the world of a sex addict and shows the damage it can do to ones life. He delivers a gripping performance. His scenes are very intense. You can see the torment in his eyes and the disgust with himelf and his actions. Cari Mulligan is the biggest surprise. She too delivers a good performance. She plays his little sister Sissy who is just if not more damaged than he is. She also substitutes sex for love. Th difference between her and hm is that she wants to be in a relationship and be loved, but he doesn’t want a relationship and he has deep issues with that. There is a lot of nudity in this film from both Cari and Michael. The setting is New York. The darkness of the film in the scenes where he is on the hunt for someone to have sex with is a bit like an animal looking for its prey.

It is disturbing a bit because he has sex with anyone with outregard for safety from STD’s. The film moves very slowly in the beginning. The scene where Cari Mulligan is singing in the night club seems to take for ever. It is the longest rendition of “New York, New York”, you’ve ever heard. The trumoil these two are in is very apparent by their portrayal of their characters. The scene where Brandon breaks down crying in the street is a real turning point because it shows how remorseful he is for his actions.

The film shows how out of control their lives become. There are many powerful scenes in the film that show his sex addiction and the lengths he will go to quench his thirst for sex. It gets 3 out of 5 popcorn bags.

Mark Wahlberg plays Chris Farraday a former smuggler trust back into that life of crime in this thrilling tale of smuggling. Kare Beckinsale plays his wife Kate. Caleb Ladry Jones plays Kates brother Andy who turns their lives upside down when he messes up a drug run. Resulting in his almost getting killed by the drug dealer Tim played by Giovanni Ribisi. As always Wahlberg gives a good passionate performance. He always puts such passion in his work and this film is no different. The story flows and the screen play makes sense. The film gives us a glimpse into the world of smuggling and shows the risks involved.

There are some very intense moments in the film such as the scene where Chris is in Panama buying goods and it goes wrong. The scene where he and Danny played by Lucas Haas are caught in a shoot out with police is very intense because you don’t what the out come will be. Although there are plenty of intense moments there are also some humorous moments such as the scene when Captain Camp played by JK Simmons comes out in his underwear to find drug dealers in his house. So the humor definitely balances ut the intensity.

This will definitely win no awards. Still it is chalked with action and suspense. There aren’t many amazing stunts but it does hold your interest. Mark Wahlberg really makes you care about his character and hoping that everything ends well for him. It is an entertaining film. Mark ahlberg fans will not be disappointed. Another member from the Wahlberg family Robert Wahlberg also appears in the film as John Bryce.  If you like action and suspense you will enjoy this film. It is a should see for everyone 14 and over due to it’s strong language. It gets 3 out of 5 popcorn bags.

Thrilling! This film is intense and very heart warming. The story of a boy and his horse being separated by war and situatioins beyond their control. Under the direction of Steven Spielberg all the actors delivered brilliant performances. This film has so many touching moments such as te scene when Albert played by Jeremy Irvine plows the field for his father Ted played by Peter Mullan. It is so touching because he does this for his father and he encourages his horse Joey to not give up. The horse did a phenomenal job in this scene as well as through out the film. His horse Joey is the real star of the film because endures some amazing things.

The special effects were amazing! The war sequences seemed so real. Joey went through a lot and he and young Albert can relate to each other on a deeper level because they both experienced the horror of war. They grew up together even though they were apart. Joey encountered many people on his journeys. He also endured manyhardships like when he had to move a gun to the top of a hill for the Nazis. The costumes stay true to the period and the all of the sets give you the feel of war time.

The cinematography is breath taking it really captures he beauty of europe even though the period is during war. This film is a must see for the whole family. It also shares a bit of history as well. It is definiely Oscar worthy! It gets 4 out of 5 popcorn bags.