The Thing

One of my all time favs from the 80s. John Carpenter direct Kurt Russell. A group of Antarctica scientist find something in the ice - what is it? Alien. One that kills and replicates, so who is the alien. They spend most of the movie being eaten one by one, or trying to discover who among them is alien. Everyone dies except Kurt's character - he's alone in the middle of one of the harshest climates. A lone wolf is seen escaping the compound that has been completely destroyed in the burning search that has taken place. So, we assume the alien is seeking new prey. The music really makes this one suspenseful. All in all, I say: RENT IT

Remake by a Norwegian staring mainly Norwegians - only one I recognized. There are Americans - one which in real life is Africa - but whatever. The Americans are recognizable - one from Warrior and one from Oz. In this one the girl and one guy make it. The end is horrible. It looks like the girl fries a real human by mistake. The wolf still escapes, but they show the guy shooting after it from a helicopter.  All in all, I say: SKIP IT and see the original - soooo much better.

Towerheist

It's exactly like it advertises. The "help" at a luxury apartment complex get cheated out of their money and decide to steal it back. There are a couple of problems along the way -- the biggest is they don't know where the money is. A kind of strange ending, but some funny lines. All in all, I say: WAIT till it comes on tv.

Act of Valor

Netflix describes the movie as, "The mission of rescuing a kidnapped CIA agent from a lethal terrorist cell falls to an elite squad of Navy SEALs in this covert-action thriller. Active duty SEALs play the lead fighting roles in a saga based on actual events from their service." I say - kicking ass and chewing gum - without the gum. It was precise and wicked awesome. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Drive

Ryan Gosling is a driver, legal and illegal, who falls in love. Once he falls in love everything falls apart. His violent streak comes to the surface. Most of the movie is like a work of art with great music. The violent parts are way violent - such a contrast to the calming effect of the driving. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

This Means War

Chris Pine and Tom Hardy (both were in a Star Trek movie - cool trivia) are spies who are both in love with the same woman, Reese Witherspoon. There is none stop comedy and action. I loved every minutes. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Texas Killing Fields

Outside of Texas City, Texas is a swamp/bog. This place is a favorite of more than one serial killer. The movie begins 8-10 years after these 2 cops failed to catch a killer. One copes by getting a divorce from a neighboring cop played by Chastain (nominated for The Help) and the other copes by putting more pressure on himself to catch a new killer. Worthington is focused on an unsolved murder of a 15 year old runaway. Morgan is focused on catching the new killer and protecting a young girl caught in the middle. It was kind of confusing and intense. Worthington's accent is slightly hidden by his Texas drawl. All in all, I say: RENT IT

Star Wars Episode 1

Or the first prequel - I don't like Episode. It was just as bad as it was the 1st time only this time expensive because it was in 3D. Why was it in 3D - who knows. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Project Nim

Torture, distressing, horrible! I cried non-stop from beginning to end. No one needs this sadness in their life. All in all, I say (even though it's good) SKIP IT and go look at a rainbow or hug a kid.

MI-5 Seasons 1-9

Actually, on season 10 in the UK. We can only see nine seasons. They are our version of FBI/CIA. They fight terrorism on domestic soil. They kill off a lot of characters every season, so don't get use to anyone. All in all, I say: STREAM IT - if you like this kind of stuff.

Big Miracle

Based on a true story that took place in the 80s when Reagan was in office. 3 whales are trapped under ice having not made it to open sea before the freeze. This is what happened to get them free. The acting is subtle and the costume design is fab. All in all, I say: RENT IT

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Hanks and Bullock are parents to a rather unique and special boy. This movie focuses on how he deals with the death of his father on 9/11. He goes on a journey and meets several amazing people. It is touching, sad, and well done. I liked the grandfather - I'm told his story is in the book. All in all, I say: RENT IT

The Double

Gere is a retired CIA agent that was considered one of the best during the Cold War. He is brought out of retirement to caught the one that got away. The thing of it is - he's the one that got away. He was a double agent - he needs to figure out who wants him back out in the open. Grace  (That 70s Show) is the FBI agent who helps Gere try to catch well himself. If you're not confused yet just wait till the last scene of the movie - there is a surprise in store. All in all, I say: STREAM IT