IRON MAN 2(2010)

The surprise hit of 2008 is back with it's sequel. I usually use the rule of three when it comes to sequels. That being at least three years between films. The rule has a pretty good track record if you go back and look at sequels. Not a 100% scientific, but pretty good. I was a really big fan of "Iron Man" and I enjoyed the pacing and the story telling of Jon Favareau. The story the characters and the action were all very good and entertaining at the same time.

Unfortunately the rule of three applies here somewhat. While "Iron Man 2" is a very competent and good film, it still lacks the intangibles that made the first installment such a great film. There's a lot to like and it's a solid sequel, but doesn't stack up to the original.

Tony Stark is back and he's on top of the world until a Russian scientist teams up with Stark's main business competitor. There's a little more to it than that, so go and see it for your self.

I'd recommend this film to everyone. It's a solid movie, but it just can't quite step up to the standards of the first "Iron Man".

A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET(2010)

Here's another entry to the remake or reboot horror franchises. I never really watched any of these slasher movies growing up, because I was a pussy. I eventually went back and watched the big time 80's crop of horror movies. I'm not a huge fan of them, with the exception of a select few. Yet I still watch almost all of the new releases today. The latest "Friday the 13th" was a very average movie and I'm sorry to say that this movie is too.

A group of child hood friends are now late teens. They are all having the same nightmare of a guy with knives for fingers. A couple of friends start to look into the past of why they are being haunted in their dreams. They eventually uncover his motives and have little time to try and stop a man called Freddy Krueger.

Same old shit. Not scary or that bloody. I do like the new Freddy though. Not as corny and a little more intense. I just wished they played Will Smith's old school song("A Nightmare on my Street"). Follows the original pretty closely, but nothing new or really that good about this reboot. It's watchable and that's about all.

KICK-ASS(2010)

Another movie based on a graphic novel written by Mark Millar. I really liked his first adaptation. "Wanted" was a fun action movie with a little humor and some cool action scenes. "Kick-Ass" surprised the hell out of me. Very fun and entertaining. A little blood and some really funny lines by Hit girl. She steals the show. I really enjoyed the story and the graphic violence that they used. You get immersed into a graphic novel.

Nic Cage does a good Adam West imitation and the movie pays homage to comic book movies very well.

A comic book geek thinks it would be cool if someone actually was a hero, so he takes it upon himself to become one. Along the way he meets some other vigilantes that gets him entangled into the organized crime world. The movie leaves us wanting a sequel with a great homage to one of the best lines from a movie based on a comic book.

I'd highly recommend this movie to everyone! A little bloody and some choice words for kids, but entertaining as hell. Go see this movie, so the sequel will get made.

DATE NIGHT(2010)

I honestly don't know why I watched this movie? Steve Carrell and Tina Fey? Not my favorites. They do bring a different style to this movie and it was watchable. That's actually better than I thought. Some funny moments, but still not funny or entertaining enough to really enjoy myself.

A suburban couple go on a date night and pretend to be someone else to get reservations at this NYC restaurant. Soon they are mistaken for the identities that they stole and are on the run for their lives.

This is barely a rental. It's only about 82 minutes long, so it's not that high of a risk.

BROOKLYN'S FINEST(2009)

Another cop drama from Antoine Fuqua(Training Day). I didn't think "Training Day" was all that great either, but it was way better than this follow up. It's been all down hill for Antoine Fuqua since his critically acclaimed debut.

The movie tells the stories of 3 different cops in the Brooklyn Police Department. Some corrupt, some undercover and one suicidal. Really boring and pointless stuff. Way too long and slow. You don't really care what happens to any of them at the end of the movie. I was just happy that I got to the end of the movie. This style of movie has been done better and more interesting in the past.

I'd pass on this movie unless you need help sleeping.

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON(2010)

I was a little reluctant to watch this movie. The story didn't really intrigue me, but watching movies is what I do, so I did.

I'm really glad I did. This Dreamworks production has the heart and characters that Pixar is famous for. It's the closest thing to a Pixar movie that I've seen from another studio.

The story is about a young Viking who wants to learn to slay dragons, but he's just not that type of viking. Hiccup ends up becoming friends with a dragon that he hurts during an attack on his village. Then it becomes "E.T." for the most part. It's funny,smart, and heart warming. Kudos to you Dreamworks!

I'd highly recommend this movie to anyone, but especially to those who love Pixar/animated films.

CLASH OF THE TITANS(2010)

I just recently watched the original again to get me ready for the updated version and I don't remember it being so cheesy and crazy? Didn't make much sense and was pretty boring. The special effects obviously were bad, but it's borderline ridiculously bad.

Let me just say that there is no need to watch this movie in 3D! I've seen a lot of movies that way and most have entertained, but this version is so bad and an outright ripoff. It should've been illegal to convert from 2D to 3D this badly.

I was prepared for the worst after seeing a lot of negative reviews. It was a pleasant surprise that I actually left entertained. It had some story & dialogue issues for sure. The action sequences were a little to choppy and the screenplay was a little too wordy. I can see why critics are too critical, but the average movie fan should enjoy this enough.

The story begins with a boy who is found by a fisherman and his family. When man declares war on the Gods(Hades) causes havoc and kills Perseus' family. He Set's out to kill Hades with a small army that is also trying to save their city from being destroyed by Zeus and the Kracken.

Slightly above average and worth seeing, but not in 3D!