The Amazing Spider-Man

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, and Rhys Ifans
Directed by: Marc Webb
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Grade: A++

As much as I love the original Spider-Man movies (with the exception of the third one we shall not mention), this one easily tops them. I was also skeptical about the casting choice of Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker/Spider-Man. As much as I loved him in The Social Network and Never Let Me Go, I just wasn't sure that he could handle a leading action role. Boy, did he prove me wrong! He was great in the soft moments as well as the moments of action. His chemistry with Emma Stone is one of the best I have seen in a long time and it makes sense that they are dating in real life. In this reboot, Peter Parker (Garfield) has a difficult life, being relentlessly bullied and going unnoticed for much of his high school life. He has lived with his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field) after his parents disappeared. He is led to the mysterious Dr. Curtis Connors (Ifans) by information from his even more mysterious father (Campbell Scott), who supposedly died in a plane crash when Peter was little. While at Dr. Connors workplace (OsCorp, which is owned by Norman Osbourne, AKA the Green Goblin in the comic books and original movies), he sees that Dr. Connors' intern is Gwen Stacy (Stone), whom Peter is in love with and who reciprocates these feelings. When Peter gives him an equation, Dr. Connors is finally able to fix his formula for a drug that eliminates human weakness. But, when he is forced to start human trials early and decides to test the drug on himself, he turns into the Lizard, a vengeful reptilian being who is out to turn the world into lizard beings just like him. It was a great reboot and, after the very vague scene during the credits, I can't wait for the next film.  

Magic Mike

Magic Mike (2012)
Starring: Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, and Matthew McConaughey
Directed by: Steven Soderbergh
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Grade: A+

First of all, yes...it is a stripping movie and yes...the guys in the movie are semi-nude some of the time. While this does mean a bit of objectifying the men, this happens with women in every action movie (we're looking at you, Michael Bay) ever made. So, we deserve a little bit of objectifying of the men. Anyway, this movie is about Mike (Tatum), a very talented and rhythmic stripper. At one of his many other jobs, he meets a boy named Adam (Pettyfer), a shy 19-year-old living with his sister, Brooke (Cody Horn). Mike and Adam meet again the next day. Mike asks him to pick up some girls and, seeing that Adam is actually good at it, gives him some work with props at his "Male Dance Revue", owned by Dallas (McConaughey). When one of the other strippers in hurt, Dallas orders Adam to take his place. Showing he has talent for stripping also, Dallas hires Adam, dubbing him "The Kid". As Adam gets more confident in his new profession, Mike starts to find himself falling for Brooke and contemplating leaving the show. However, his newfound friendship with The Kid and his relationship with Brooke may ruin everything Mike has worked so hard for. Overall, awesome movie...enjoyable to watch. Also starring Joe Manganiello, Gabriel Iglesias, and Matt Bomer (yay, Matt Bomer!).

Prometheus

Prometheus (2012)
Starring: Noomi Rapace, Logan Marshall-Greene, and Michael Fassbender
Directed by: Ridley Scott
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Grade: A++

I have been excited for this movie for a long time (and for obvious reason...it's a prequel to Alien and from the same director...duh). A team of scientists, led by Elizabeth Shaw (Rapace) and Charlie Holloway (Marshall-Greene), travels through the universe on the spaceship "Prometheus". This voyage is to investigate a suspicious alien life form that has left what the scientists think are messages for future humans to come find them. The team of scientists becomes stranded on this alien world, where it becomes clear that this world was just a military base instead of the alien's main planet. As they struggle to survive, it becomes clear that the horrors they experience are not just a threat to themselves but to all of mankind. Noomi Rapace is relatively new to American movies and she is really great in this one, reminiscent of Sigourney Weaver in the original Alien movies. Logan Marshall-Greene is also great as her ill-fated scientist boyfriend. The real star of the whole movie is, of course, Michael Fassbender, who stars as the mysterious android with dark ulterior motives named David. Prometheus also stars Charlize Theron as the evil leader of the expedition and Guy Pearce as the elder man that is in charge of the company that funded the mission.

Gone

Well, obviously I got tired of the movie game...so, I'll go back to regular movie posts....I have a short attention span. Anyway...

Gone (2012)
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Jennifer Carpenter, and Wes Bentley
Directed by: Heiter Dhalia
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Grade: A-

I am a huge fan of Amanda Seyfried. She always stars in good movies and she's always good in them. This movie is no different. It's much different and scarier than her usual movies, but it was still good. Jill (Seyfried) is the only victim that escaped from an elusive serial killer. She goes to the police and tells them the story of how she was abducted from her bed, thrown in a hole in the middle of the forest with human remains in the bottom, and left for dead until he was ready to kill her. The police find no evidence to support her story and put her in a mental institution after only a week of searching. A year later, she is living in a new house with her sister, a recovering alcoholic and trying to get on with her life. She is erratic and paranoid, leading the police to believe that she made the whole event up. When her sister (Carpenter) disappears on the morning of an important exam, regardless of the police's doubts, she resolves to find her sister before it's too late. With only one detective (Bentley) on her side, she has to find the killer before it's too late.

Day 6 and 7

Day 6 - Favorite Comedy
My favorite comedy is 30 Minutes or Less. Both Jesse Eisenberg and Aziz Anzari are hilarious. The movie is enjoyable, though gross at some points. Overall, probably one of the funniest movies I've ever seen.

Day 7 - Favorite Trilogy
This is a hard one to decide. There are so many good trilogies I love, including The Bourne Trilogy, Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Alien...yeah, it goes on and on. But I would have to say my favorite trilogy is the original Star Wars trilogy. I love the newest version also, but the old one is so great and classic that it would be impossible to choose any other. The original trilogy is so amazing, exciting, and classic, it is clear why it is the only choice for favorite trilogy.

Day 5 - Favorite Drama Movie

My favorite drama movie is Titanic. What other drama gives you action, a great love story, and a boat sinking? Not many. Kate Winslet is great as Rose but Leonardo DiCaprio makes the whole movie as Jack Dawson. Personally, I think this is one of the most special and memorable love stories in any movie.

Day 4 - Favorite Horror Movie

My favorite horror movie is definitely Scream. I hate most horror movies, but this one was one that I actually liked. Although it is scary at some times, it is not as scary as other movies I have seen. Good acting, surprising, and extremely funny. There are so many good things about this movie, it's stupid not to watch it.