The Dark Knight Rises

There is an especially dark shadow cast over this film. It’s obvious the nation is reeling from an unimaginable tragedy that makes no sense. Our world has been turned upside down once more. We may feel guilt, sadness and anger but, hopefully, we all feel empathy for the victim’s and their families.

It happened in a place where we should feel safe. A nice, quiet movie theater, but the truth of the matter is that terrible things can happen anywhere. But we shouldn’t feel afraid. Fear and chaos is what he wanted.

This blog has always been an opinion. It’s my views on movies and acting, but I would also like to share my view on this horrific act. Movies have been a source of escapism since they were invented. They transport you into the film while letting all other thoughts and stresses disappear. This is what makes this crime particularly invasive and cruel.

Some may see this film because of curiosity and some may see it because they have been waiting to do so for years, like I did. Some may not see “The Dark Knight Rises” because it may have potentially inspired the attack. But look at it this way: it’s not the film's fault. There are millions of people who watch violent movies and don’t end up killing anyone. The fact is that this guy wanted to be infamous by inciting panic and mass murdering a packed audience. He isn’t like the majority of us, he isn’t normal.

It is of course your choice to see this movie. But, for me, if I had not seen it he would have won.

Review

Christopher Nolan does it again in this action-packed, soulful take on the Batman legacy. “The Dark Knight Rises” is the perfect way to end this epic trilogy, although I still want more.

The film is set eight years after “The Dark Knight” and picks up with a crippled, recluse Bruce Wayne and a nearly peaceful Gotham City. Christian Bale (The Fighter) is perfect as Wayne/Batman, showing the age and heartbreak at losing Rachel Dawes in the last film. But soon he is strapping on his utility belt to find the elusively sly Selina Kyle/Catwoman (played by the enchanting Anne Hathaway).

But Wayne finds that Kyle isn’t his only foe in this story. Bane (played by the solid Tom Hardy) is out to destroy the government of Gotham by letting the people run free. This match-up is perfect for the last Nolan film, a battle between physical statures but also of goals engrained in them.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Inception) is sensational as Gotham Police Officer John Blake. Blake is an easily likable character whose motives match those of Batman’s. He’s the non-masked version who strives for peace.

All the original characters are back: Alfred (Michael Caine), Police Commissioner Gordan (Gary Oldman) and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman). They have been the backbone of this trilogy and live up to the past films in this conclusion.

This film is climactic with action beginning only minutes in. It also allows characters to delve into their own complex pasts and emotions. This isn’t common practice in most superhero movies. Most usually have campy moments but this film really sticks to the original concept created by Nolan. It may seem extremely dark but sometimes darkness is more realistic.
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Top Five Joseph-Gordon Levitt Performances...so far

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been around for awhile now. He started acting when he was just six years old. But the transition between child darling to A-list adult actor seemed to be pretty smooth with the help of several critically acclaimed independent films. Gordon-Levitt, 31, may be young but has made some of the most brilliant film choices of any actor in the business. He’s proven he’s versatile, giving him staying power for years to come. In preparation for the blockbuster premiere of "The Dark Knight Rises," here are my favorite films by this legend in the making.

   Honorary mention.  Arthur  from “Inception” and Adam from “50/50”

Ok, so I probably should chose just one honorable mention but I can’t help myself. Gordon-Levitt has an uncanny way of choosing films that I absolutely love. So, I chose two of the more well-known movies for this category.

“Inception” is already a classic sci-fi flick that does the impossible: it makes the audience think. Some of the glory of its reviews should go to Gordon-Levitt. His steady, reliable character Arthur knows the intricacies of the mind while competing in one the coolest fight scenes of all time. He delivers a quiet, mysterious performance fitting perfectly with the resonance of the film.

“50/50” is of a completely different palate than “Inception.” Gordon-Levitt’s portrayal of a cancer patient is again quiet and understated but pulls at the heart strings of the audience. It shows the reality of such a tragic circumstance but doesn’t stray from the humor that can be had during those tough times.

   5. Tom from “(500) Days of Summer”

This indie hit brought Gordon-Levitt back to the eyes of the general public. He had working in independent movies for years before, but after this film made its way to a wider release, he was finally accessible again. This anti-romantic comedy is thoughtful and real. Gordon-Levitt’s performance as a man looking for his true love in quirky Zooey Deschannel seems simple enough. But adding layers of confusion and dismay catapults him to Golden Globe nominee status.

   4. Brendan from “Brick”

I’m not too surprised if you’ve never heard of this film. It’s one of those independent movies that you kind of have to be looking for to find it. Nevertheless, this film about a high school crime ring and the disappearance of a teenage girl is surprisingly intense and gritty. It’s a no holds bar take on the waywardness of teen life.  Gordon-Levitt plays a teen who will stop at nothing to find his ex-girlfriend, even if he has to infiltrate an intricate band of criminals to do so. His portrayal of an obsessive, neurotic teenager is edge-of-your-seat material.

   3. Lyle for “Manic”

This film marks the first time he and Zooey Deschannel teamed up. But this film has quite a different tone than “(500) Days of Summer.” For one, it certainly is no comedy. Manic tells the story of a group of unruly teens in a mental institution. Gordon-Levitt is scary good as a teen who is apt to have violent outbursts. Through group counseling the teens try and cope with their instabilities. But Gordon-Levitt as Lyle stands out among the rest. He seems completely unhinged and taps into his inner rage appearing completely out of control. All of his roles seem effortless but this one seems frighteningly real.

   2. Neil from “Mysterious Skin”

This role by Gordon-Levitt taps into every single emotion that could be fit into a movie. He plays a young man who has repressed a decidedly horrific memory and through trying to remember makes a few too many horrible decisions. There is anger, sadness and a type of blankness to Gordon-Levitt’s character that sets him apart from all the others in the film. He’s decided to do whatever it takes to get through life without really working it for it. It’s the complete rawness of the role that speaks to the audience. He may not truly be the protagonist, but that’s what I love about indie movies, they don’t have to follow the normal formula. They can create complex characters like Neil that we can love and hate at the same time. But it takes a solid actor to make those characters come to life, and that’s exactly what Gordon-Levitt did.

   1. Hesher from “Hesher”

This character has to be my favorite of all Gordon-Levitt films thus far. It’s a role that required Gordon-Levitt to be complete tool while showing subtle sensitivity in the end. He plays a drifter who loves Metal and destroying public property. Once again, indie films throw the rules out the window when it comes to character development. There are hints of protagonist and antagonist in Hesher, but there is no clear answer, even at the end. He shows remarkable compassion towards the conclusion while still maintaining the angst of the character he has created. It is a remarkable vision realized by an amazing actor.

Katy Perry: Part of Me

It’s been a year since a saw Katy Perry live on her California Dreams tour but the memory of cotton candy confection is still vivid in my mind. If you weren’t lucky enough to see the queen of pop in action last year you must see the new documentary “Katy Perry: Part of Me.”

The movie makes the musician come to life in an exciting concoction of concert footage, backstage preparation and personal turmoil. It makes Perry a real person. She has scenes with her hair pulled in a messy up-do with no make-up showing  the reality that stars don’t look red-carpet ready when they wake up. Don’t get me wrong Perry is still pretty, but she shows her more natural and vulnerable side in this music documentary. It completely encompasses the breakdown of her marriage to comedian Russell Brand without throwing any punches his way.

There is an extremely emotional scene when Perry is getting ready to perform in Brazil and completely breaks down behind the scenes. She’s dealing not only with a tour that is lasting a year but also a marriage that is strained by the distance. But by the time she reaches the platform that levitates her onto the stage, she has composed herself and flipped the switch to bright and cheery performer. I can only imagine the emotional and even physical toll this kind of career requires, but Perry battles on for her fans.

Some may not love Perry the way I do but you have to give her credit for being unique and sticking to her vision. She’s creative and strives to do her best which is portrayed in the film.

From her Gospel-singing roots to having five number one hits on a single pop record (tying the record set by Michael Jackson), Perry has fought for her title. She’s worked hard and produced some of the catchiest songs in the past decade. She wasn’t an overnight sensation; she struggled to be where she is now. Buy a ticket to be a part of Katy Perry’s crazy ride.

The Amazing Spider-man

For those of you who think “The Amazing Spider-man” is just a copy of a movie franchise that ended five years, you’re in for a rude awakening. This new film is a complete reboot of the trilogy that made the hero famous to my generation.

Let’s start with the fact that the cast is filled with up and coming actors and actresses that really know their stuff. Led by the incredible Andrew Garfield (The Social Network) playing Spidey aka Peter Parker, this action movie feels totally different than the original. The script allows for Garfield to be the quick-witted, sarcastic character that Stan Lee created 50 years ago. Garfield’s stature allows him to contort himself into the famous Spider-man poses that are synonymous with the character even better than Tobey Maguire.

Not only does Garfield get the moves right, he also is the perfect opposite of Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacey. Stone (The Help) is perfect as the intelligent, independent high school student who falls in love with Peter Parker. There is no Mary Jane in sight in this adaptation, instead the movie tells the tale of the original first love of Parker. The chemistry between the two is undeniable. This film led Garfield and Stone to fall in love off-screen as well, which to me makes complete sense.

Although Rhys Ifans (Anonymous) was stellar as the struggling scientist/super villain Dr. Curtis Connors/The Lizard, it takes more than different characters to differentiate between Spider-man sagas. This film is a more basic origin story than previous films. We still see him become a jacked-up hero in a red and blue suit, but it’s more than that. We see Parker search for clues about his parent’s untimely death and the knowledge hidden by his Aunt May (the lovely Sally Field) and Uncle Ben (the loveable Martin Sheen).  

The movie is packed with web-slinging action but has many quieter, touching moments hidden within. This Spider-man seems more complex, a teenager who is outwardly sardonic but hides his feeling of sadness over tragedies he could not stop. I’m not sure if it’s the acting or the writing, but this Spider-man feels as real as a super-hero could possibly be. It’s a movie for any demographic, young and old alike.

P.S.-  Make sure you stay for the credits. There’s a scene that will give a hint at a possible sequel you won’t want to miss.

Ted

Who would wish for a foul-mouthed teddy bear?

Well, the newly crowned comic genius Mark Walberg does in this fully R-rated flick. When John (Walberg) is young he doesn’t have many friends. And by many, I mean none. So, after he gets a teddy bear for Christmas John wishes that the bear can speak and be his best friend forever. The next morning Ted is brought to life and freaks out the entire family. John immediately starts his life with his new companion, while Ted becomes an instant celebrity.

Cut to present day and Ted (voiced by the comic chameleon Seth MacFarland) is just a past-tense novelty. As the narrator goes, eventually all the Cory Feldman’s, Frankie Muniz’s and Justin Bieber’s go to shit. Well, they at least fade somewhat. Now 35-year-old John is still living with his teddy bear and his girlfriend of four years Lori (the feisty Mila Kunis).

The film follows John as he attempts to grow up and cut ties from Ted for the sake of his romantic relationship. Muniz is perfect as the girlfriend who wants John to move on from his childhood, but also knows how much his friend means to him. She balances the conflicting ideals with grace on-screen.

MacFarland also directs this film which has some hints of his TV shows. There are some alternative shots thrown in to give the film campiness at times. But that’s what he does. If you don’t enjoy “Family Guy” you’re probably not going to enjoy his humor here.

This film has it all: humor, surprising sensitivity and climactic fight scenes. It’s probably the average guy movie, but one their girlfriends will actually want to go to.

This movie has a lot of heart, I mean, it does star a teddy bear.  

Magic Mike

Alright ladies, control yourselves. It’s only Channing Tatum walking around…nude. OK, so it’s not something you see every day, but if you go see “Magic Mike” you can.

The movie isn’t only about extremely attractive actors dry-humping the air. It actually has a deep and thoughtful plot that begs the question: Can a stripper movie actually be good?

The film begins with Mike (the astonishing Tatum) as a renowned stripper known as Magic Mike. But deep down all he wants to do is open his own custom furniture business to get out of the stripper game.

As Mike struggles to create the venture, along comes Adam (the stunning Alex Pettyfer). He quickly becomes Mike’s best friend and co-worker after a crisis causes Mike to throw him on-stage.  But Adam has his problems, leading to a lot of coddling by Mike and his sister Brooke (Cody Horn). The chemistry between Mike and Brooke heats up, which leads to a lot of flirting as the movie progresses.

Throughout the whole film director Steven Soderbergh (the master behind such films as “Erin Brokovich,” “Traffic” and the Ocean’s trilogy) allows the actors to really delve into their characters and give scenes the sensitivity they deserve. This is a film that could easily have been trashy, but the direction and the acting give it real meaning and depth.

There is of course nudity and sexy, R-rated dance moves by Tatum, Pettyfer, Joe Maganiello (TVs True Blood), Matt Bomer (In Time) , Adam Rodriguez (TVs CSI:Miami) and even Matthew McConaughey (Lincoln Lawyer). A special shout out to McConaughey who shines as the free-spirit, bongo-playing (sound familiar?) club manager Dallas.

It may have a bit too much nudity for boyfriends to enjoy, but ladies, have a fun girl’s night out. I know I did.

Rock of Ages

Musicals have always had a special place in my heart. I think it may be because I’ve always liked music videos; a format that puts a story to your favorite song. Well, just expand that into multiple songs over a longer time span and you have yourself a musical. And Rock of Ages does have some classic tunes.  

Ranging from Joan Jett to Foreigner to Bon Jovi, this film is packed with some of the most popular rock songs of the 1980s. There’s enough 80s music and references for you to truly believe you’ve lived through it, or remember it vividly…

The story starts off with naïve Sherri played by Julianne Hough (Footloose) running off to Los Angeles to become a famous musician. When she arrives things aren’t quite the fairy tale she imagines. But never fear, in comes struggling musician/bartender Drew played by the stellar Diego Boneta (TVs Pretty Little Liars) who quickly offers her a job. Soon they fall in love over their mutual love of heavy metal music which leads to habitually breaking out in song.

Joining them on screen is the surprisingly magnificent Tom Cruise (Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol) as Stacee Jaxx, the pentacle of rock music success. The character is heavily influenced by any rock band member of the 80s, especially a certain lead singer of Guns N’ Roses.

The job of reeling in Jaxx falls to Malin Ackerman (Wanderlust) playing the straight-laced Rolling Stone reporter Constance who is trying to write a coherent article about who Jaxx really is.

Also, Alec Baldwin (TVs 30 Rock) and Russell Brand (Arthur) extend a large portion of the comic relief in between musical numbers. Baldwin as Dennis, the grungy bar owner, lights up the screen alongside his right-hand man Lonny (Brand).

Catherine Zeta-Jones (Chicago) plays the most complex role of the film as Patricia Whitmore, an up-tight politician’s wife who has a slightly secretive past. With her musical and acting skills, you can’t take your eyes off of her, even if you might hate her character at times.

The movie is filled with incredible performances and music that nearly got me to start singing in the theater. It may not necessarily be fun for all ages, but if you lived through the 80s or if you just like the music, I guarantee you will have a great time.

Summer Movie List

This list contains the most exciting upcoming movies of the summer. Get ready to enjoy more action-packed blockbusters, comedies from modern comic legends and a few musical numbers. The screen is heating up with hot actors and exciting films, so be prepared to cool off in the theater this season.

6/15- Rock of Ages

Broadway to the big screen, this musical is packed with an all-star cast including Tom Cruise, Russell Brand and Catherine Zeta-Jones. It pans to a larger audience by having a soundtrack full of tunes from some of the best rock bands of the 1980s, including my personal favorite Foreigner.

6/15- That’s My Boy

Although Adam Sandler’s track record hasn’t been the greatest in the past few years, I’m actually excited to see this movie. It may be because of the added bonus of Andy Samburg, a new-born comic genius playing Sandler’s son. With two famous SNL alums, this movie has a lot of potential. Here’s to hoping for the best.

6/29- Magic Mike

Channing Tatum playing a stripper. Tatum, Alex Pettyfer and Matthew McConaughey nearly, if not, nude. Need I say more ladies. The script is based on Tatum’s real-life career as a male stripper before hitting it big in the movies. Background and research makes this film look surprisingly deep and funny. It may be something larger than just eye candy.

7/3- The Amazing Spider-Man

First of all, need I remind you of my love of all things related to comic books? So the nerd in me is extremely excited for this reboot, even if it has been only five years since Toby McGuire hung up his unitard. Not only is Spider-Man younger and funnier than ever, he is played by the incomparable Andrew Garfield. The delightful Emma Stone joins him on-screen as love interest Gwen Stacy. I love both these actors separately, so together with the chemistry that made them an off-screen couple, the movie is already golden.

7/5- Katy Perry- Part of Me 3D

No matter who releases a concert movie I will see it. But this film is slightly different. It follows Katy Perry through the peak of her career during the largest tour of her life. The time period is filled with ups and downs. The ups include tying the record of number one hit songs with the one and only Michael Jackson. The downs include a devastating divorce from actor Russell Brand and the camera follows it all. Perry is brave for including such a personal moment in her life, which only makes me want to see it more.

7/13- Ted

I’m beginning to see a whole different side of Mark Wahlberg. Comedy really suits him ever since he surprised audiences with Will Ferrell in “The Other Guys.”  Now teaming up with the amazingly inappropriate Seth MacFarlane in a comedy about a magic, dirty-talking teddy bear, Wahlberg looks to be at his comedic best. 

7/20- The Dark Knight Rises

The last of the Christian Bale/Christopher Nolan trilogy, this film introduces us to even more famous DC characters. Anne Hathaway as Catwoman and Tom Hardy as Bane become the main sources of drama in this action movie. The script has been kept secret which increases the exhilaration of seeing the follow-up to “The Dark Knight,” one of my favorites of 2008.

8/10- The Campaign

What do you get when you team up two of the funniest actors in modern comedies? You get Will Ferrell and Zach Galifinakas in a political satire that seems a little too close to home, especially in an election year.  I can’t pass on a Ferrell comedy, can you?

Top Five Johnny Depp Performances...so far

In honor of the new film "Dark Shadows" I have put together a list of the best Johnny Depp performances since his film debut in 1984. It was difficult to choose from some of the best films of my generation but you have to give credit where credit's due. Enjoy!

     Honorary mention. Glenn from "A Nightmare on Elm Street"

This movie was the acting debut of Depp. His performance as the preppy boyfriend of Heather Langenkamp's Nancy is something that made every female swoon. Although Depp has gone for more complex and darker film roles, this is where it all began, as an innocent Ohio teen who gets sucked into a bed that spits out his blood. One of the best kill scenes in all horror movie history, Wes Craven knew what he was doing and made Depp famous even before "21 Jump Street."

   5.  Sweeney Todd from "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"

Depp's complex role as a secret serial killer was raw and introduced us all to his vocal talents. Based on a British penny dreadful, a fictional publication serial, and later the Broadway play of the same name. This role should have been a clear antagonist, from the brutality of his kills. But somehow the writing, and the acting skills of Depp, turn the character of Sweeney Todd into an understandable and relatable character.

   4. The Madhatter from "Alice in Wonderland"

Once again, Depp master's the role of a seemingly insane character. By bringing a backstory that was never present in the cartoon version of 1951, he provides empathy to a character that ordinarily has been tossed aside as crazy. Leave it to Depp to provide such a versatile character in an otherwise limited role.

   3. Captain Jack Sparrow from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series

This is the ultimate role of Depp's career. It put him back in the spotlight in 2003, after a string of smaller and less successful films. Since then there have been four films, with a fifth announced for the near future. It is Depp's swaggering, Keith Richards impression that keeps the audience the coming back for more. It is almost unnecessary to describe his character with almost $4 billion in revenue from the movies alone. It seems everyone has seen a "Pirate" movie, making Sparrow one of the most well-known characters of all time.

   2. Gilbert Grape from "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?"

I know this whole list is biased towards myself, but I have a particular interest in this film. I used to watch it every time it was on TV when I was younger. It is a role that earned Depp deserved critical praise, but unlike a lot of the films on this list, it was a simpler character. Grape is a young man struggling with insecurites in a small town. His younger brother (played by the incredible Leonardo DiCaprio) is mentally disabled and has to care for him, being that he is his only male role model. His mother is overtly obese and does not leave the house because of it. Depp's performance as a man torn between family and the normal uncertainties of societal questions is flawless. It is a gritty, relatable performance that he knocked out of the park.

   1. Edward Scissorhands from "Edward Scissorhands"

A film that takes societal pressures and portrays them in such a fantastical way culminates in this breathtaking 1990 film. Depp takes the innocence and sheltered being of Edward to a whole other level. Loyalty and confidence emerges from Edward as he gets to know his new adoptive family. Depp's facial expressions and physical demeanor create a gentle protagonist. But as the cookie-cutter community turns on him for being different, he becomes an easy target to deflect their pent-up insecurities. This role may be one of the most tragic on the list, but it also shows an example of the social segregation between those we deem "normal" and those we don't. This was the first Tim Burton and Johnny Depp collaboration, leading to one of the most famous partnerships in film history. But with the critical praise and the devote fan base, no wonder they have teamed up seven more times so far.

Dark Shadows

Johnny Depp has again teamed with Tim Burton in a dark but comedic role that will make any fan proud. The first part of the movie sets up the background: Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean series, Alice in Wonderland) plays Barnabas Collins, a wealthy 18^th Century fishing industrialist that gets turned into a vampire by a love-sick, jealous witch, Angelique (the wicked Eva Green). This eventually gets him cast as a monster, being buried in a lead coffin in the woods.

Cut to 200 years later and Depp is uncovered by a McDonald’s construction crew (I usually despise plugs but this one tickled me). Collins is reunited with what is left of his lineage including Elizabeth (the enchanting Michelle Pfeiffer) and Carolyn (the incomparable Chloe Grace Moretz). I keep growing founder of Moretz ever since “(500) Days of Summer,” and this film is no exception. She executes the role of an angst-ridden teenager flawlessly, a role she has never tackled until now.

Collins runs into Angelique (aka Angela) and his long-lost love. Jealously between Angela and Collins and his love picks up where it left off two centuries ago. This leads to a climactic fight between good and evil.

The script has many humorous elements pulling from the bloopers in the original television show. Depp is marvelous in these witty moments. Jackie Earle Haley (Little Children, A Nightmare on Elm), is hilarious playing Collins’ slow-witted, right-hand man Willie.

Viewers need to realize that the acting in this film is extremely over-dramatic for a reason. If you have ever seen the original, it was basically a soap opera. If you enjoy two hours of solid laughs, this movie is for you.

The Avengers

First off, let me express my ridiculous love of all things superhero. I’m a straight-up nerd in that respect (also in others that you will learn soon enough. So having six heroes in one movie may be coolest movie experience ever. “The Avengers” not only has a line-up of awesome Marvel characters, but it has high-caliber, and in some cases iconic, actors playing those heroes. Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansen) and The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo).

The premise is simple enough, Loki, the adoptive brother of Thor wants to obtain power to rule earth and have all of humanity as his minions. Obviously The Avengers aren’t going to let this fly. So a misfit team of heroes forms. But with six different personalities come six butting heads. Comic relief from a tense situation (trying to save the world and all) comes from the sarcastic Downey and the surprisingly hilarious Ruffalo. Bruce Banner has some of the best lines in the movie, but there are major laughs in one particular fight scene between The Hulk and Loki.

Joss Whedon (TV Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Cabin in the Woods) has directed a beautifully concocted script that would make any comic book fan would be proud of, probably the reason it was the best opening weekend for a film of all time. It mixes the dramatic and comedic perfectly in an action-packed adventure.

Make sure you stay until the end of the credits for a nibble of what will come in the sequel.

The Lucky One

Nicholas Sparks.

That’s all I have to say to "spark" a quick resolve for men to hate the film and women to love it and then drag those same men to see it. Sparks (A Walk to Remember, The Notebook) has written some of the most influential love stories of our time. “The Lucky One” may not become an instant classic, but it has a lot of heart (and a lot of shirtless Zac Efron).

Efron plays Logan Thibault, a marine who found a picture of a woman in the desert and miraculously survived several deadly accidents overseas. When he gets back home he feels he needs to thank the woman who inadvertently saved his life. And so the love story begins.
Logan travels across the country by using Google to find the woman in the picture (sweet but unrealistic). When he finds the woman (Elizabeth played by Taylor Schilling) he’s unable to tell her the truth. This leads to Elizabeth falling for Logan, ripped abs and everything.

The only competition Logan has is with the evil ex-husband, Clayton. The audience, at least me, roots for Logan to lose his even-tempered manner and sock him in the face.

This film executes a seemingly unique plot-line pretty well. If you’ve read the book you understand the characters and their dynamics better. But, the challenge of a film is to put all these elements into a movie without having to have your audience do homework before hand. Efron is elegant in his role as the quiet, stand-up guy. And, if you’re like me, you’re completely OK with a silent Efron, as long as he’s buff like he is in the movie.

“The Lucky One” may not be the stand-out movie of the year, but it has heart and comes with a positive message that love conquers all. If you feel like escaping into love story you’ll enjoy it. And guys, at least pretend you enjoy it in front of your girlfriends, they'll appreciate it.

The Hunger Games

Alright, so I was the only person on planet Earth who had not read the books. My bad. Since I saw this film that has changed dramatically (I read all three in a week). “The Hunger Games” did something for me. It quenched my thirst for a film that had three things: amazing acting, a terrific script and a politically motivated message that actually wasn’t preachy.

The plot takes us to a future world where The Capitol rules what is left of America by controlling all 12 districts after District 13 started an uprising and lost the fight. Now, to pay the price all other districts must sacrifice one boy and one girl to go and fight to the death in The Hunger Games. The winner is allowed to live in peace and wealth.  The only catch is the mental trauma will haunt them for the rest of their life, but they're still alive.

First, all credit goes to Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone, X-Men: First Class) for doing a non-independent piece of work with the heart she usually puts into her indie films. She is kick-ass as Katniss, the girl from District 12 who saves her sister from being chucked into the Games. She shows vulnerability while simultaneously playing a smart and strong warrior, on and off the playing field.

Her partner from Distrtict 12, Peeta (played by the lovely Josh Hutcherson) isn’t the best fighter but he has awesome PR skills that make him a fan favorite, especially when he professes his love for Katniss on live TV. This leads to tension between the two fights but eventually is resolved on the playing field.

Stanley Tucci (The Devil Wears Prada), Elizabeth Banks (30 Rock) and Lenny Kravitz have wonderful performances that at times steal the show. Liam Hemsworth (The Last Song) plays the stern but appealing Gail, Katniss’s other love interest who also lives in District 12.

This film is a dramatic interpretation on our current wars and what they could lead to. It also brings up the issue of what certain types of leaders could accomplish to stifle the freedom of an entire nation. It scarily realistic at times, but if younger viewers actually absorb the message we may end up having more politically active young people in the near future. Here’s to hoping.