"Rocky Balboa" is a Great Film That Ended the Series

"Rocky Balboa" is a great film that ended the series. It tells the story of Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone, after the fame and glory. He is older now, and basically only has Paulie, played by Burt Young. His son, Rocky Jr., played by Milo Ventimiglia, does not see him because he is caught up in his job and he wants to make a name for himself and not live in the shadow of his father. Rocky is the owner of a restaurant in honor of Adrian, because she has past away. Rocky is very distraught about his son, and his wife and something big happens. A the heavyweight champion, Mason Dixon, played by Antonio Tarver, is making a name for himself but he is not liked by boxing fans because of his cocky attitude. ESPN does a virtual fight between Balboa and Dixon and who wins, Balboa. This gets Rocky thinking, maybe he can do this again. He starts to train again prove that an old school can beat new school.

This film is not as good as the first two films but it did wrap up the films very well. It brought back many characters from before including Marie. Her character fit very well in this film and it showed that Rocky gave a lot of hope to the city of Philadelphia and the rest of the world to never give up. These films were Sylvester Stallone's best films and he does a great job at this character. It is unfortunate that some of these films were not as good as the 1st, 2nd, and 6th because it had a lot of potential. Regardless, this film was very well made and very inspirational.

Grade = 82/100 = B-

"Defending Your Life" Has a Great Perspective On Life.

"Defending Your Life" has a great perspective on life. It tells the story of Daniel, played by Albert Brooks. He is killed and sent to an afterlife representing the U.S. He is sent there for a few days to have his past life judged to see if he is going to heaven or back down to earth. He is put in a room to examine the events in his life that will explain his fate. After he is judged for each day he gets to roam around the area. It is a place where you can eat whatever and how much you want, and can never gain any weight, and everything is free. While he is there he meets a woman named Julia, played by Meryl Streep. They both hit it off and become great friends. Daniel starts to have feelings for her but he will only be with her for a few more days.

This film is great mainly because it gave me a new perspective after you die. What if, we are examined of all the faults in your lifetime after you die? It really gets you thinking about how we are supposed to live our lives to the fullest because it could be lost in an instant. This film is great if you want to see why Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep and Rip Torn are such great actors and very talented in general. Go see it!

Grade = 86/100 = B

"Get Low" is Spectacular

"Get Low" is spectacular. It tells the story of Felix Bush, played by Rober Duvall, a hermit, who does not care how he is portrayed in his town. One day when another hermit dies, Felix wants to try to patch things up with his fellow townspeople. He hires Frank Quinn, played by Bill Murray, a funeral director, who arranges a fake funeral for him. This funeral will display Felix as dead but the main point is to see how his fellow townspeople really think about him. The movie has a distinct view on life and how you are portrayed when going through your life.

This film has a great cast that helped the film make it so great. Robert Duvall is always great at what he does. He has been a great actor for decades and he has such an array of roles whether it is faking his own death or kids soccer coach. He has great at any role. Bill Murray is also an amazing actor. His films are so great because he really can do it all. Every movie he is in makes it better because if the film is a comedy he is hilarious, and if the film is a drama then he has such a great persona on screen. Sissy Spacek also did a great job as a supporting actress. She is great even still. This film is so great but depressing.

Grade = 83/100 = B

"The Amazing Spider-Man" is Worth Seeing.

"The Amazing Spider-Man" is worth seeing. After the three movies with Tobey Maguire I was pretty disappointed by the end of the series. The movies were very exciting and entertaining but by the end they got repetitive and a little boring. So I was eager to see how Andrew Garfield played a superhero. I loved Garfield in "The Social Network" he did a great job supporting Jesse Eisenberg and Justin Timberlake. He plays Peter Parker who like the original gets bitten by a spider and develops superpowers that help him fight crime, but in this Spider-Man he is seen as a foe to the police. While this is going on he falls for Gwen Stacy, played by Emma Stone. Gwen is actually the daughter of a policeman, played by Denis Leary. Peter tries to be the superhero he is supposed to be regardless of the police trying to take him down.

This film was better than I thought. I honestly did not know how this movie was going to play out because of the previous series with Tobey Maguire. I am glad Andrew Garfield fit well with the part mainly because he looks like a teenager unlike, Maguire. It might sound like I did not like the films with Tobey Maguire. I did but I felt like Andrew Garfield is going to play Spider-Man a little better, because it was more credible because he looks younger. And I am eager to see how the next few Spider Man films play out.

Grade = 80/100 = B-

"I Think We're Alone Now" is a Fantastically Gripping Documentary.

"I Think We're Alone Now" is a fantastically gripping documentary. It tells the story of two individuals, Jeff and Kelly, that are obsessed with teen pop star, Tiffany. Tiffany has been making music since the 1980s but here biggest song was "I Think We're Alone Now." Jeff has Aspergers and he believes Tiffany is his best friend and believes that they can be friends forever and they are, even after only meeting her a few times. Kelly believes that she is destined to be with Tiffany forever, even through they have not met in person. This documentary really shows the rawness of their obsession with this person, and they do not believe that this is an obsession it is just a way of life. The director, Sean Donnelly really portrayed these two characters very well, especially when they meet. This film really goes in depth of a super fan of a singer that is popular but not even the most popular at the time. It has a great outlook on music and life.

Grade = 85/100 = B

"It's Kind of a Funny Story" is Spectacular

"It's Kind of a Funny Story" is spectacular. It has Craig, played by Keir Gilchrist, who checks himself into a mental hospital because he is suicidal. He is a depressed teenager trying to deal with a girl that does not live him, and the fact that he is not being loved as much as he wants at home. He is trying to find a new start, and he finds it at the hospital. He meets a man named named, Bobby, played by Zach Galifinakis. He is a man that has been there for awhile and tries to take him under his wing, and teach him about life, girls, dealing with stress because he sees a lot of himself through Craig. Craig then meets a girl named Noelle, played by Emma Roberts. Noelle is in the hospital and starts to hang with Craig, which leads to Craig liking her. He is trying to fix his problems with the new friends he has made.

This film is based on a novel which was the main reason it was written beautifully. The film was made very well, and the story was so gripping. This is very emotional film because everyone can relate with Craig because everyone has been depressed and has dealt with relationship problems, problems at home, problems with school, and problems with friends. It has a great view on life, in the sense that life could be worse, and the problems we have now won't be as severe as they are now.

Grade = 84/100 = B

"The Big C" Will Be Missed

"The Big C" was a fantastic show that will be missed. Laura Linney plays a cancer patient trying to deal with the fact that she is going to die from her type, Melanoma. She has a husband, played by Oliver Platt, that will do anything for her. There son, Adam, played by Gabriel Basso, is a teenager trying to deal with school, girls, and the fact that his dying mother works at the high school he goes to. They also take care of a girl named Andrea, played by Gabourey Sidibe. Also, her brother, played by John Benjamin Hickey, stops by from time to time.  She is a woman that is dealt with this terrible disease and tries to do everything she wants to do before she is gone.

Laura Linney is spectacular on this show. She has received an Emmy for this year's season mainly because she is such a strong and powerful woman being portrayed on this show. Oliver Platt also, such a great actor that does fantastic on this show because of how loyal he is to her, when they are together.  Gabriel Basso and Gabourey Sidibe are assets to this show because they are great up and coming actors and they have a great buddy-buddy relationship on this show. John Benjamin Hickey is a great supporting actor for this show also because he is hilarious and he really brings the story to a great big turn to help the story line even better. Unfortunately just ended but it will be missed.

Grade = 85/100 = B

"Shameless" on Showtime is an Amazing Show that Comes Back on in January

"Shameless" on Showtime is an amazing show that comes back on in January. This is a remake of the British version. It tells the story of a poor family trying to do what they can to get by. Fiona, played by Emmy Rossum, is the oldest sibling and she takes care of the whole family, three brothers, and a sister. Also, her father is an alcoholic and is obviously not stable enough to be a father. Fiona tries her best to take care of this overbearing family as much as she can. The older brothers also try their best by working or getting paid to the SATs for other people. They are all trying to make their lives better than what they have. 

This show is spectacular mainly because of the story lines. This is one of the few shows that I have seen where I all of the characters on the show each have a story line and a past that they reveal. This is very similar to "Orange is the Black" mainly because they usually have one episode devoted to each character and then bring it up later into the show. This show is worth watching even know you have to pay for it to watch on Showtime. It is spectacular and you might be shocked of what happens but it is raw, and edgy for a reason, it makes a point.

Grade = 86/100 = B

"Parenthood" is a Classic Family Movie

"Parenthood" is a classic family movie. it tells the story of the giant Buckman family. One family has three kids trying to cope with everyday struggles. Another is a couple taking care of their child prodigy. Another is a single mother taking care of two teenagers. The last is the grandparents taking care of everyone and also the screwed-up son taking care of an infant. The family goes through everyday struggles of a typical American family. This film can be categorized as a film that explains family struggles for the modern time, much like the hit comedy, "Modern Family." This film explains how a modern family can go through similar struggles, and these things can happen to any family, regardless that this film came out in 1989.

This film is great mainly because of Ron Howard. He not only help write this film, but he also directed this film. The storyline was extremely captivating and even for a movie that was PG-13, it still brought up some topics that are not suitable for kids, or young teenagers. A great part of this film also was the outstanding cast. Steve Martin led the way, as Gil Buckman and this is one of his best roles. Granted, he has been in a lot of better films, and most of his roles are great anyway, but he nailed this role. Also, Mary Steenburgen really did a fantastic job as Gil's wife, Karen. Some great minor roles were played by, Dianne Wiest, Rick Moranis, Tom Hulce, and Jason Robards. This film is a great family film that brings up controversial topics and controversies that families go through every day.

Grade = 82/100 = B-

"Don Jon" is a Great Film to See this Fall

"Don Jon" is a great film to see this fall. It has Johnny, played by Joseph-Gordon Levitt, a porn-addict who is looking for more out of his life. He is an attractive guy that has sex with all of girls. He only really cares about a few things, his apartment, his friends, his family, his church, his girls, and his porn. He finally thinks he meets the right girl when he meets, Barbara, played by Scarlet Johannson. She is beautiful, funny, sexy, and really likes Johnny. They start dating, and Johnny feels like he has finally made a relationship with someone that he actually cares about. The only problem is he is still addicted to porn. He has to try to deal with this while trying to stay with Barbara.

This film is great mainly because of Joseph-Gordon Levitt. He directed, wrote, and starred in this film. He did a great job for this film. He played this guido kid, from the Jersey Shore and he nailed the part. Some great minor roles were by Tony Danza, Brie Larson, and Julianne Moore. Also, Scarlet Johannson was fantastic also. She is one of the most beautiful women in the world and she is also a fantastic actress. This film is great and it brings a very controversial topic and addresses it very well. Please go see it!

Grade = 83/100 = B

"Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" is One of Johnny Depp's Best.

"Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" is one of Johnny Depp's best. It has the barber, Sweeney Todd, played by Johnny Depp, cutting hair in London. His haircuts does not only include cutting hair, and shaving, it also includes Todd's evil and vicious plot to brutally murder every victim that sits in his chair. Mrs. Lovett, played by Helena Bonham Carter, is Todd's partner in crime in this hit based on the Broadway musical.

This film is great because they put the musical to the big screen. Johnny Depp is fantastic in his performance. He has done some weird roles and mysterious roles but this is one of his best. Helena Bonham Carter is also a great part of this film. She also has done some weird roles but she is a great actress and has helped some great movies even better. Including "Fight Club" and "The King's Speech." Some great minor roles were apart of this film also. Sacha Baron Cohen was Pirelli, and much like his performance in "Les Miserables" he brought comedic relief to this dark film. Also Alan Rickman was spectacular as Judge Turpin. This film is a great adaptation to the musical and it is mostly because of the genius working of Tim Burton. This film is very dark and edgy and it really shows how good Tim Burton and Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter work together.

Grade = 84/100 = B

"Carrie" is a Horror Classic. Hopefully the New Adaptation is as Good

"Carrie" is a horror classic. It has Carrie, played by Sissy Spacek, growing up in a suburban town. She is an outcast, and she does not really have any friends except her coach. So she is surpised when a very attractive boy asked her to prom. She also is not well-liked at home. Her mom is extremely religious and forces her to worship God. She is just a girl that wants to be a normal teenager and wants to be with boys and have a normal life. She plots her revenge at her prom.

This film is spectacular for its time. This was based on a Stephen King novel. For the most part, this film created an amazing picture for the novel, and this is considered one of the best horror films ever made. Sissy Spacek is obviously very pretty but in this film she is portrayed as the incredibly disgusting and horrid creature by the end. I am curious to see how the new "Carrie" coming out on October 18th portrays this story. The person that plays Carrie is Chloe Grace Moretz. She is teenager becoming a huge star in Hollywood being in such films as "Kick-Ass" "500 Days of Summer" and "Hugo." Also, she is incredibly gorgeous. I am eager to see how she is portrayed in the new adaptation.

Grade = 82/100 = B-

"Sugar" is an Incredible Film

"Sugar" is an incredible film. It has Miguel, nicknamed Sugar, who is a Dominican Baseball pitcher, that has big dreams. He wants to become a Major League Baseball pitcher. They call him Sugar because he is sweet with the ladies. Sugar is an extremely good pitcher, and he gets picked up by a farm system. But he still strives to play or even get to New York. New York is the place to be for most people mainly because it is a place in America where things can happen, and people can make something out of themselves. He is determined to make it in America.

Sugar is played by Algenis Perez Soto. This was his first and only film he has been in. This film, was extremely good mainly because of him. It is a shame that he has not been in any other films because he was incredible. This film showed that dreams can come true regardless it might be swayed to something different. This film also shows that if you are doing something that you love and loving your life, you are fulfilling your dreams.

Grade = 88/100 = B+

The "Insidious" Films Are Worth Checking Out

The "Insidious" were a pretty good series for PG-13 horror films. It tells the story of a family being haunted by spirits that terrorize them ever since it terrorized the father of the house, Josh, played by Patrick Wilson. Both of the films had pretty scary moments throughout the film. If you are a fan of the first chapter you should see the second, regardless it was not as good as the first one. Regardless, that these films are rated PG-13, it had great parts, and story lines that a horror film should have. A horror film is supposed to have parts that are scary at moments, and be suspenseful the whole entire film, to keep the audience interested. These films are not the greatest horror films ever made, but it had some great horror moments and both are worth seeing.

"Insidious": Grade = 68/100
"Insidious: Chapter 2" Grade = 58/100

"About Schmidt" is a Fantastic Film

"About Schmidt" is a fantastic film. It has Warren Schmidt, played by Jack Nicholson. He is an older man living with his wife, Helen, played by June Squibb. Helen and Warren have been together for decades, and their spark that they had when they were first married is dying or dead. Warren is bored with his life, and wants something different. Suddenly and abruptly, Helen dies and Warren decides to take this opportunity to try to rekindle his relationship with his daughter, Jeannie, played by Hope Davis because they are not as close as they were before. After spending some time with her, she decides to break some news to Warren. She is getting married to her boyfriend, Randall, played by Dermot Mulroney, who Warren does not love. Warren tries to cope with his wife's death and the fact that he does not approve the engagement all alone.

This film is so great mainly because of Jack Nicholson. He steals the show in this mainly because he becomes this role. He is one of the best actors ever to be put on screen. In this film, he is a messed up, depressed, and crazed man and he really nails this role. Also, in this film, Kathy Bates and Hope Davis, and Dermot Mulroney are also spectacular. This film is a little slow but it is still amazing, mainly because the story is so compelling. Please watch!

Grade = 90/100 = A-