The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)

May 21, 2015 / Ken Rupracht

Remember when you were super excited about the Lord of the RIngs? Remember when you slowly lost touch with The Hobbit? Well, this is the third one - the "defining chapter" if you will. The end of one tale begins the beginning of the next. Surely, with a title like The Battle of the Five Armies there will at least be more combat action than ever seen in Game of Thrones right? Well, let's delve into the furry footed thief story, and see if it re-inspires everyone to read, or if you will end up wishing there was only one movie trilogy in Middle-Earth.

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categories / adventure, fantasy, pg13
tags / The Hobbit: The Batle of the Five Armies

Ouija (2014)

May 14, 2015 / Ken Rupracht

What's the most generic thing associated with ghosts? Give you a hint - beyond "haunting" it's most likely the title of this movie. Now, something like this could go great - could go horribly, horribly wrong as well. I mean, what better excuse to have some other-worldly activity that a board of letters that functions by most accounts as a ungodly portal into that which shouldn't be tampered with? What foul demons and lovable Caspers will be summoned from somebody's generically naive actions? Will the movie game with your emotions, or would you rather see it burnt for the horrible time you had viewing it?

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categories / horror, pg13
tags / Ouija

Dracula Untold (2014)

May 07, 2015 / Ken Rupracht

How many times now have we seen the story of Dracula? If I wanted to pan further, I could say 'how many times have we seen the story of the vampire?" And no, I don't mean that badly written worse filmed absent-minded Twilight series. If I wanted to induce vomiting, I would talk about the soundtrack to Nosferatu, which is at least a respectable movie. Back on topic though - we've seen it a lot. Most of us would probably agree at this point that the best rendition of Dracula is probably the Bram Stoker's variant, but Bella did have himself one mean stare. Well, a new age, a new generation, a new attempt at trying to bring back the old monster movies that I really can't be too mad about because I like the old monster movies. Should Dracula have staid untold, or will the movie nipping at your neck have you all hot and bothered?

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categories / action, drama, fantasy, horror, pg13, war
tags / Dracula Untold

The Avengers (2012)

April 30, 2015 / Ken Rupracht

This is one of the movies that I feel me doing this for is pretty much a waste. I mean, let's face it, anyone who wants to see this movie has already seen this movie. At this point, the only reason anyone is going to read this is because they either want to know my opinion on something they've already seen, or because they've accidentally come here looking for Avengers 2 reviews. I guess just for my own ego, I'm going to pretend its the earlier reason and not the latter, but lets flash back and figure out if someone should be seeking to avenge this movie, or to avenge our wallets.

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categories / action, adventure, pg13, scifi
tags / The Avengers

Over the Edge (1979)

April 23, 2015 / Ken Rupracht

Ever find yourself thinking that kids suck? Ever think that kids were so much better and more respectful back in the day? Do you have anyone you'd like to instill a fear of children into? Well, this movie may tarnish your views of the happy-go-lucky younger folks, as this movie slowly turns your views from cute little spunky shenanigans into a weaponized militia of punks. Can this blast to the past show you a good time, or will you find your brain a battleground of chaos?

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categories / crime, drama, pg
tags / Over the Edge

Tusk (2014)

April 16, 2015 / Ken Rupracht

Remember that silent guy named Bob? If you do, then you probably already know all about him making movies and being in shows and the likes. This weird little tale comes straight from him - and if you follow his podcast you will most likely get more out of this than those who blindly waddle their way into it, but that's not to say that it's necessarily bad right? Inside jokes are all over movies these days (I'm looking at you, comic movies), so that shouldn't hold anyone back. Will this walrus of a tale get you hooked, or will it be more of a sinker?

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categories / comedy, drama, horror, r
tags / Tusk

Fury (2014)

April 09, 2015 / Ken Rupracht

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Wold War 2: a very bummer of an event, but great fodder for the entertainment industry. Granted, the last time I saw Brad Pitt in a WW2 movie he was scalping Nazis with the "Bear Jew" - so I expected this one to be a bit more "true" feeling. Most flicks about the 'great war' are at least half-way decent as far as quality, so lets see how one focusing on a tank crew can do. Will it tank our interest?

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categories / action, drama, r, war
tags / Fury

Run Lola Run (1998)

April 02, 2015 / Ken Rupracht

I read somewhere this was an interesting movie, what I hadn't read was that it was actually a foreign film. Got nothing against foreign films personally, so that wasn't going to deter me, but before I even started the movie I already expect some people are going to tune this one out - why? Because you either don't understand German, or English dubbing that doesn't always sync with the mouth movements of German words is gonna bug someone. That aside, you can tell by the title along that this movie is going to contain at least double the running of something like Running Man, but the question remains: will your soles burn from the speed, or will the plot leave your mind racing crazy?

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categories / action, crime, r, thriller
tags / Run Lola Run

The Book of Life (2014)

March 26, 2015 / Ken Rupracht

Are you a big fan of Cinco de Mayo? Maybe you love marionettes? Perhaps your even just bedazzled by fabulous wooden mustaches? This movie might have something for you if you nodded furiously for any of those question. Either way, lets find out if this movie can really pull your strings the right way, or if it's colorful best is found to just be a giant bull.

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categories / adventure, animation, comedy, family, fantasy, pg, romance
tags / The Book of Life

Speed Racer (2008)

March 19, 2015 / Ken Rupracht

There are a lot of people that know of Speed Racer - most are probably familiar with the old school anime/cartoon with hyper-fast monologs and nigh seizure inducing two-frame backgrounds. Some of us may have enjoyed it, and some of us may not. There's even a set of people out there that will punch you for singing the theme song (just trust me on that one, okay?). To little fanfare, someone decided they had to turn this into a live-action movie with some heavy CG. Will it race it's way into your heart, or will your attention speed on by?

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categories / action, family, pg, sport
tags / Speed Racer

Lucy (2014)

March 12, 2015 / Ken Rupracht

I remember seeing a trailer for Lucy and going "Hm, that could be fun." I didn't get around to it in theaters though, and the general reception of it that I did hear about was generally negative - complaints about not being hard-fact and a 'hard to follow plot riddled with holes' - which of course only fueled my desire to see it more. I've never been one to much care about the "mass opinion" on things, as it's truthfully hard to find people who can enjoy as broad a range of quality as me sometimes (although, somewhere out there somebody likes Uwe Boll movies, so they certainly beat me). Let's find out what my particular set of synapses firing can make of this movie - whether it's a new horizon or a fatal error in processing.

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categories / action, r, scifi, thriller
tags / Lucy

As Above, So Below (2014)

March 05, 2015 / Ken Rupracht

Why do I keep watching found footage movies? I can only imagine that somewhere inside me I still believe that their is this completely untapped potential that each movie of the type I watch might be the one to be the Highlander or one ring to rule them all. Well, I can't say it's particularly a great hope to hold onto, but As Above walks calmly into the circle and throws off it's gloves to try and impress. Can this foray into the french underground prove to come out on top, or way below any expectations?

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categories / horror, mystery, r, thriller
tags / As Above So Below

Big Hero 6 (2014)

February 26, 2015 / Ken Rupracht

Disney, the place of magic. Even a macho man can find something they like amidst the ever-growing licenses nestled under Disney's imaginative wings. BH6 has a pitch that interests me - superheros, animation, and of course robots. I love robots - small robots, big robots, boxing robots, shooting robots, intelligent robots and controlled robots - to the point that I can recall a certain line such as "Chicks dig giant robots," regardless of how accurate that may or may not be. The question here is if I can find it in my heart to love a squishy Disney robot. Will it be the big hero Disney deserves, or just another in the 6-dozen other Disney movies on your shelf?

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categories / action, adventure, animation, comedy, family, pg, scifi
tags / Big Hero 6

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934)

February 19, 2015 / Ken Rupracht

Everybody knows Hitchcock. If you haven't ever heard the name, then chances are you are probably super young or something - as most people I've run into have at least heard of at least one of his works - such as Psycho. The man had a way with twists, although it would certainly appear that some seem to have less twists than others - but beyond that he knew how to make a movie for the time. In this take, we have a little less supernatural or epidemics, and instead focus on a small group with a big problem. Will the movie end up feeling like it tries too much, or will you know this man knew what he's doing?

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categories / mystery, pg, thriller
tags / The Man Who Knew Too Much

The Dark Crystal (1982)

February 12, 2015 / Ken Rupracht

I like to mention the fact that I love some practical effects. It's that love of practical effects (and certainly some distant memories floating around in my scattered brain) that leads me to movies such as The Dark Crystal. Most people (at least in my age bracket) will recognize the name Jim Henson - and too some, his work has had a profound impact on their lives. Granted, it takes more than just some well made effects and puppetry to make a good movie, so can this crystal shine with the radiance of a true gem, or will you anxiously await getting out of the dark and doing something else?

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categories / adventure, family, fantasy, pg
tags / The Dark Crystal

Earth to Echo (2014)

February 05, 2015 / Ken Rupracht

Tons of movies get remade these days. Sometimes the only thing even remotely resembling the movie it's being remade from ends up being a title. Earth to Echo, from all pre-gathered trailer knowledge, strives to not be a remake in the strictest of senses, but instead be a bit of a modern take on the last generations big kids and alien friendship movies - E.T. Can a bit of new polish make it warm it's out of this world little way into your heart, or will you wish this too to be buried deep in a desert landfill? Yes, I know that was just the Atari game and not the movie, but I feel the compulsory need to make bad jokes, so just give it to me this time.

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categories / adventure, family, pg, scifi
tags / Earth to Echo

Hercules (2014)

January 29, 2015 / Ken Rupracht

Hercules. We have all heard the tale - be it through secondary means like Jason and the Argonauts, the Kevin Sorbo show, or even the Disney movie. At this point, one need ask themselves what more can they possibly tell of Hercules? Well, how about making him more human and casting him as Dwayne The Rock Johnson? Will it get you pumped enough to flip houses, or will it leave you wishing it was a little more mythical?

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categories / action, adventure, pg13
tags / Hercules

Rubber (2010)

January 22, 2015 / Ken Rupracht

There are tons of weird movies out there. Some of those weird movies are only weird due to a cultural disconnect, some due to how they incorporate different genres into them. Sometimes you hit one of those weird movies and it carries with is such a weirdness that you end up spreading it amongst your friends, as though it was some contextual contagion spread through word of mouth in order to survive like you just watched the tape from The Ring. This movie is one of those movies - it's out there, quite possibly the most nonsensical film I have ever watched. Will it be a flick that you pass on for no reason, or will you find yourself tired of it?

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categories / comedy, horror, r
tags / Rubber

The Expendables 3 (2014)

January 15, 2015 / Ken Rupracht

I'd be crazy not to love action movies. Simple, straightforward, mind numbing scenes of glorious action and explosions? You know what really sets apart action movies for me though? One liners. Yes, choreography and cool guns and gadgets are important to make all that helter-skelter understandable in the mind, but one liners are the thing that stays with me longest. I can more easily recall "I'll be back" from Terminator than I can vividly recall any specific scene (although I can recall some of those too). In the case of Expendables however, we come into three off the back of 2 - which was in most people's minds a rather less than stellar follow up to the first nostalgia filled riot, excluding Chuck Norris of course. Can 3 bring the boys back in town while upping the ante, or is the series proving the longer it goes just how expendable it is?

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categories / action, adventure, pg13, thriller
tags / The Expendables 3

The Transformers: The Movie (1986)

January 08, 2015 / Ken Rupracht

Do you pine for the days of old, where cartoons had awesome rock music and vibrant lasers flying everywhere? A time before Michael Bay tried to recreate everything with trademark explosions, slow motion spinning cameras, and action that's nearly impossible to tell the good guys from the bad guys during it's hectic dancing of CG? Let's go back in time and visit our old (and some new) friends in the Autobots and Decepticons in all their animated glory. Will it be more than meets the eye, or will you wish you had rolled out before it started?

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categories / action, adventure, animation, family, pg, scifi
tags / The Transformers: The Movie