"THE LOSERS" ****4 STARS

"The Losers" based on the comic book series is an exciting action packed thriller that hooks you in until the bitter end.. It reminds you of the TV Series "The A-Team" but the odds are against this highly trained Military Special Forces unit. The deck is stacked against them when they're sent on a secret mission to attack a major Drug Lord on his compound in the Bolivian jungle. There's a last minute glitch in the assignment when 25 innocent children are unexpectedly dropped off. The special forces unit opts to save the children despite orders from their superiors to go ahead with the attack. 

These exceptional Operatives soon realize that this was a suicide mission because they are betrayed by their superiors and are left for dead. They are blamed for the botched mission and while the world thinks they are dead, they go undercover to try and come up with a plan to get revenge and clear their names.

Fans of the cast will remember the groups leader Clay (Jeffery Dean Morgan) as the dying patient who Izzy falls in love with on "Grey's Anatomy" and in the movie "Watchmen". Clay (Morgan) is charismatic with his layed back attitude and sexy smile which he uses to hide his concerns about their fate. He has a heart of gold and is fiercely loyal to his team. Clay (Morgan) also has a weakness for beautiful women. Which brings us to Aisha (Zoe Saldana Lt. Uhura - "Star Trek" and Neytiri in "Avatar" ) who's an agency operative who gives the team a chance to get back in the game, find out who tried to have them killed and clear their names.

Clay (Morgan) and Aisha (Saldana) have an intense love -hate relationship, which makes for some violent battle scenes in the style of the "Kill Bill "movies. The mysterious Aisha has her own ulterior motives for seeking out the groups help. Idris Elba (HBO's "The Wire") is the scar-faced Roque an explosive expert who's the only member that's not totally on board with the group's plan and doesn't hesitate to let them know. Chris Evans ("The Fantastic Four") is Jensen the smart aleck computer expert. The only family man in the bunch is Pooch (Columbus Short) a heavy weapons specialist and expert driver and Cougar (Oscar Jaenada) an elite sniper rounds out the group. Jason Patrick is the villain, Max a shady government official who's underestimated the group's expertise and fumbled and missed out on killing them in Bolivia. Now they're after him. This great ensemble cast has amazing chemistry.

Max's (Patrick's) performance was what you would expect from a comic book character and that's how he played it.. It was tongue and cheek, almost comedic. He looked great but it seemed as if he was joking around instead of acting. The powerful action scenes alone, make "The Losers" a must see film. It's an impossible mission which leaves you on the edge of your seat wondering if "The Losers" will ultimately win. This movie is worth seeing! You will be entertained!

PG-13
Action-Thriller
4Stars****

"THE BACK-UP PLAN" ***3 STARS

Jennifer Lopez's new movie "The Back-up Plan" is a different kind of romantic comedy. It's safe and cute and more about her wanting to be a mother than a sexy single woman looking for love. Lopez plays Zoe a pet store owner who's been dating for years and is tired of waiting for Mr. Right to come along so she can have a family. Zoe (Lopez) goes ahead with her plans to have a child through artificial insemination because she really wants to experience motherhood before it's too late. The same day Zoe (Lopez) has the procedure she bumps into the man who turns out to be the love of her life, Stan (Alex Oloughlin).  At first I didn't think  Oloughlin would be able to keep up with J-Lo's bigger than life on screen persona but he's handsome, charming and plays his role like a regular guy who just happens to meet the love of his life. Oloughlin more than holds his own, he's refreshing and believable. There is definitely good chemistry between the two. 
This movie has several hilarious scenes which kick-in when Zoe (Lopez) learns she's pregnant and starts showing the symptoms, but she's hiding it from Stan (Oloughlin) until she can figure out how to break it to him.  Once he gets a chance to absorb the idea he's fully committed to her and the situation but as the months of pregnancy progress and all the challenges that entails, it proves to be overwhelming for both of them. 
Having a baby is not easy for a married couple, let alone a couple who's trying to establish their relationship. The difference here is  that the relationship started in an unorthodox way. Zoe (Lopez) became pregnant and met her dream guy at the same time. That changed the dynamic of the film to be more about the importance of family but in a backwards kind of way. Zoe learned that when she was true to herself and her goals, love found her.
All the hilarious things that happen as they try to navigate their way through this experience will either drive them apart or prove they are meant for each other. I'll let you find out on your own but "The Back-up Plan" is a heartwarming and funny movie.

PG 13
Romantic Comedy
3Stars

"DEATH AT A FUNERAL" *****5 STARS

I have to give Chris Rock's new movie "Death at a Funeral" my highest score 5 stars! This movie is the funniest movie I've ever seen in my life. I have never gone to a film and laughed from beginning to end, yes it was that funny just non-stop laughter!!! The movie is about relatives who've come to pay their last respects to a man who was a well respected businessman in the community.

His oldest son Aaron (Rock) and his wife Michelle (Regina Hall ) live with his now deceased father and his mother Cynthia (Loretta Devine). The funeral is being held at the family home and a number of relatives and unexpected friends stop by. There's a conflict between Aaron (Rock) and his younger brother Ryan (Martin Lawrence) who's a successful author because most people expect Aaron's famous brother to do the Eulogy but (Aaron) Rock plans to do it. 

Aaron's (Rock) cousin Elaine (Zoey Saldana) shows up with her brother Jeff (Columbus Short ) a Pharmacy student and new boyfriend Oscar (James Marsden ) who's high because she gave him one of her brother's Valiums but it was really acid so he's "tripping out" at the funeral.

There's Luke Wilson's character Derek who had a fling with Elaine (Saldana) but she was never interested and still isn't but her father invited him to the funeral hoping he will break up the new couple.

There's Uncle 
Russell (Danny Glover)
who's basicaly a crabby old Geeser in a wheel- chair and Norman (Tracy Morgan) who's a long-time family friend is asked to pick him up from the nursing home . There are some hilarious scenes with these two that are so funny it made you feel like you were going to pass out from laughing so hard.

Then there's the arrival of a mysterious guest, a dwarf  Frank (Peter Dinklage) an old friend ofAaron's 


(Rock) father that no one knew about, but the nature of their relation-ship and why he's' there turns the funeral upside down. Aaron (Rock) is just trying to keep the situation from blowing up in everyone's face. I also have to mention in keeping with the title that the situation gets so out of hand that someone else may die at this funeral too.

"Death at a Funeral" does it's job as a comedy. Think about the fact that this movie is centered around a family funeral, which is usually not a funny storyline but this amazing ensemble cast delivers and the script is genius! We've all seen family members like this in our own lives so it's easy to relate to the characters. Bring your tissue because you'll have to wipe away the tears! This movie is the funniest movie of the year!

(R) Hilarious Comedy

1hr30min

5Stars*****

"The JONESES" 3 ***STARS

You've heard the saying keeping up with the Joneses. Well these very important people actually get paid to entice people to keep up with them in the new dark comedy "The Joneses"starring David Duchovny and Demi Moore. Their characters are Kate & Steve a married couple who seem to have the perfect family complete with beautiful daughter and handsome son. The Joneses give the impression they're living the "American Dream" but they're really selling it. They have just moved into this exclusive upscale community with every gadget and expensive toy imaginable. 

Their home has exquisite furniture that isn't on the market yet. They have top of the line cars, state of the art sound systems, flat screen TV's and expensive clothes and jewelry. But what the neighbors don't know is that being "The Joneses" is really their job. They are a top selling cast of salespeople, a fake family that moves to these neighborhoods pushing the latest "must have" items to their new neighbors for the marketing company they work for. Of course the neighbors who are first impressed, become envious and they absolutely have to have what "The Joneses have. There's no hard sell here the Joneses just tell them where they bought the items and of course the neighbors bite the bait. The job itself can be stressful, distancing and cold because the fake family don't know each other, they're not even friends. So on their days off they go off and do things that puts the fake family's cover at risk.
"The Joneses" is a startling eye opener. It clearly shows that when your value and self worth is based on material things you never feel like you measure up unless you have that next new thing. Some of the neighbors even spend money they don't have to keep up with the Joneses causing a whole different set of problems.

Even this fake family wants to connect in a real way because deception, as a way of life, even if it's your job, is tough to maintain. Steve (Duchovny) is attracted to Kate (Moore) who's trying to win a coveted prize by become the company's top seller. Steve (Duchovny) is tired of the fake life and wants a real relationship with Kate(Moore). Problems occur when Steve (Duchovny) becomes the top seller surpassing Kate (Moore) who's worked for years trying to reach her goal.

There's more drama in this dark comedy than there is humor it really didn't seem funny to me at all but there are some tongue in cheek humerous moments. It's hard to see it as funny because the joke is on the neighbors who believe the Joneses are real. The real impact comes from the dark message of this film: when you equate self worth with net worth you will always end up chasing a fake life and of course feeling empty inside! This movie is worth seeing it makes you see what's really valuable in life! Also look out for Kim Zolciak from "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" she's an extra in the movie.

Dark Comedy

R

3***Stars

"DATE NIGHT" 4****STARS

 "Date Night" starring Tina Fey and Steve Carell had a concept that I thought I wasn't going to be able to get into at first. Who would believe that a suburban married couple would get caught up with the mob while they're out on a special "Date Night" and have to run for their lives? Not only did they pull it off it was absolutely, positively funny! 

Fey and Carell play Phil and Clare Foster a suburban couple from New Jersey who are caught up in the mundane routine of going to work, taking care of the kids and going home. They're concerned when they learn  their best friends are suddenly divorcing because they're bored with their routine. To spice up their regular "Date Night" Phil (Carell) and Clare (Fey) decide to do go to New York for a special dinner at an exclusive restaurant despite the fact that they don't have reservations. Phil comes up with the bright idea to steal the reservations of a couple who aren't answering when their names are called.  What they don't know is the couple who's table they're sitting at is wanted by the Mob. You go from being on the edge of your seat because thinking this crazy couple is going to get killed, to laughing at some of the hilarious scenes that take place. This is obviously a dangerous case of mistaken identity because the criminals don't believe that they are just a suburban couple out on a date. They are on their own to a certain degree winging it trying to fake it to stay alive. 

The Fosters get some help along the way from Mark Wahlberg who plays Holbrooke a sexy former real estate client of Clare's (Fey) who to Phil's (Carell's) surprise has a crush on him. Tariji P. Henson plays Detective Arroyo who believes all is not as it seems with this couple who look like they've been in through a train wreck because they've been running from these criminals. 

This film works so well because Fey and Carell  have great chemistry and work some real comedic magic because most of the scenes were improvised not scripted. No pun intended but "Date Night" is a good date night movie because the plot is so far-fetched but how they deal with this dangerous situation is so funny you want them to live through this night and get home to their children safe and sound. This was an exciting, hilarious surprise! You'll have a good time with "Date Night"!
PG-13
Comedy/Thriller
4 Stars****

"THE RUNAWAYS" ****4 STARS

 Aspiring Rock artists and music fans who think breaking into the music industry is glamorous must see the movie "The Runaways".  It's a coming of age story about the formation of "The Runaways", the first female rock band to hit the big time in the late 70's who performed in major arenas.Joan Jett and a group of teenage girls who lived outside Hollywood created the 5-member group which originally started out as a Punk Rock band.

The story is based on the tell-all memoir "Neon Angel" written by "The band's lead singer Cherie Currie who reflects on the ups and downs of their journey as young teenage girls trying to break into the rock music industry. Currie's book also sends a strong anti-drug message, warning teenagers about the ills of drugs and alcohol.   On her Press Tour in Detroit Currie characterized the experience as quote: " A nightmare living through those European Tours", but she was thrilled to join the group and believes becoming it's lead singer was her destiny.

Kristin Stewart and Dakota Fanning who play Joan Jett and Cherie Currie are transformed! They capture the essence of those characters during the band's meteoric rise and fall from 1975-1977.

The girls were 15 years old when they formed "The Runaways" and with the help of their wild and crazy manager Kim Fowley (Michael Shannon), asked Currie (Fanning) to be their lead-singer.
He gave them a crash course in the real school of Rock where the girls were exposed to drugs,violence, sex and were manipulated into selling that tough Sex-Pistols image on stage. "The Runaways" proved they could hold their own as solid musicians and went on tours in the U.S. and  overseas with no adult supervision. The movie also depicts some of the sexist attitudes and out-right sabotage the girls received from some of the major male rock groups they opened for. Their first hit single "Cherry Bomb" received some notoriety in America which helped their tours hit major venues like Detroit's Cobo Hall where they opened for RUSH.

 
 "The Runaways" success reached it's peak in Japan where their first two albums were major hits. When the group finally arrived to perform in Japan the crowds were massive, reminiscent of Beatle-mania. That kind of mega-star fame was too much for the group to handle. Cherie's personal life fell apart, she was burned out from the hard rock star life and decided to leave the group once they returned to the U.S.

Joan Jett went on to form her own band while 
Cherie Currie reinvented herself in several fields as a drug counselor, physical trainer, chainsaw artist, and as a featured actress in several films including "Foxes"with Jodie Foster, "Wavelength" with David Carradine and "Parasite" with Demi Moore. "The Runaways" is an intimate look behind the scenes at a side of the rock industry you probably won't see, but we learn that it's not as glamorous as it seems, thanks to Cherie Currie's honest, unwavering account of the group's wild ride to Rock Star fame.

"The Runaways"

  Drama/(R)

  4 Stars

"THE LAST SONG" 3***Stars

Miley Cyrus fans will love her new movie "The Last Song" It's a heartwarming and bittersweet story about Ronnie Miller (Miley Cyrus) who's angry about her parents (Kelly Preston and Greg Kinnear) divorce.  After 3 years the anger hasn't subsided. Ronnie definitely needs an attitude adjustment.

She's become rebelliousand estranged from her father Steve Miller (Kinnear) who's moved

away to a Georgia Beach town. Ronnie's father is a former concert pianist and teacher who's settled into this beach front community. Kim (Preston) Ronnie's mother decides to send her and her little brother to spend some quality time with their father for the summer so they can rebuild their relationship. "The Last Song" is a coming of age story where she has to come to terms with some hard truths about her relationship with her father(Kinnear).
                                                                                   

She also meets a young man who's attracted to her and she's trying to figure out if she wants to get involved in a relationship at this time in her life. Greg Kinnear gives a stellar performance and is the heart of this film. He's a caring father who recognizes his strong willed daughters' attitude and the problems that may cause for her life but he's willing to support her and allow her to find her own way despite some serious challenges he's facing. Kinnear's character touches your heart. This role is not that much different that her Hannah Montana character. The story line is more serious but her fans will still see the Miley they know and love!

Drama
PG-13
3***Stars

"CLASH OF THE TITANS" ****4.5 STARS

This remake of the "Clash of the Titans" in 3D is impressive!  It's like a history lesson in Greek mythology where you're actually experiencing the journey. You're up close and personal in this dark mythical story which is set in the Greek city of Argos. War is about to erupt between
mankind and the Gods because the Gods believe humans are ungrateful and the humans feel mistreated.
                                                   

Perseus (Sam Worthington) who was raised as a fisherman is out to avenge his family who was killed by Hades (Ralph Fiennes) the God of the Underworld.  Perseus (Worthington) sets out with a small group of soldiers to take on Hades but he doesn't realize he's a part of the family. Perseus discovers that his father is Zeus (Liam Neeson), which makes him a Demi-God, halfman, half God.

                                                                                                                                                                         

...and
Hades
Zeus's brother is his Uncle.
As a result of their discord the Gods decide to teach these mere mortals a lesson. Zeus (Neesom) gives his brother Hades (Fiennes) permission to wreak havoc on humans by unleashing his evil rath in the form of the Kraken, who's goal is to destroy mankind.  

So Perseus's journey takes a different turn instead of avenging his family his destiny makes him the only one who can save mankind.. Fiennes is superb and brilliantly evil as Hades. The special effects and 3-D experience takes the "Clash of the Titans" to a new level with extraordinary scenes of Perseus (Worthington) taking on Medusa and the Kracken Monster!
                                                                                      

Movie fans will compare this
to the original (1981)
"Clash of the Titans" but teenagers will be reminded of the recent release  of " Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief". " Seeing that before this new 3-D version made "Clash of the Titans" easier to follow because it's the same story with more background, detailed and amped up special effects. It's basically the grown up version! 
You'll have fun watching this movie!


Action/Fantasy
PG-13
4.5 Stars.