Transformers: Age of Extinction

Rating: PG-13
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci

Epic Rating: 4/10

   Transformers: Age of Extinction is a semi reboot to the Transformers Trilogy, but is still continued form the past movies. For those of you that enjoyed the first three, this film is sure to entertain and excite. For the others, this is just another Michael Bay explosion special.
   The forth Transformers movie sees a changed world. After the events in Chicago the Transformers are being hunted down by the government, both Autobots and Decepticons. The remaining robots go into hiding, and seek to find a way to convince the humans to live in harmony. Meanwhile, a new enemy emerges from space, and seeks to destroy every Transformer in his way.
   This movie also sees an entirely new cast take over the human side of the story. Instead of childish Sam Witwicky’s story, Mark Wahlberg takes center stage and we now follow him and his family throughout the movie. As well as humans, new Autobots are introduced, as well as the infamous Dino-Bots for a few short moments at the end.
   I really enjoyed the first three Transformers, but sadly this one just felt hollow. While in it's three hour length the movie provides enough special effects and action sequences to keep anyone entertained, it adds to many story lines and hollow characters to the mix, creating a confusing mix to make everyone question who is the real villain. To me, this movie felt like two movies in one, and could have easily been split into two, more fleshed out adventures. 

X-Men: Days of Future Past

Rating: PG-13
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Jennifer Lawrence

Epic Rating: 9/10

   The X-Men franchise has had a rough couple of years lately. With the failure of both X-Men 3 and X-Men Origins: Wolverine, the franchise began to gain momentum again with X-Men First Class and The Wolverine. Now, Fox presents us with what appears to be the best movie of the series: X-Men: Days of Future Past.
   The plot of this movie involves both the present day X-Men, and the ones we left in First Class. When a new enemy threatens to take over the world and end all mutant life, Wolverine must travel back to the 1970's to stop the events from happening, changing the future. While in the past, Wolverine discovers many new things about his past, while changing the future for both him and his friends.
   I loved this movie. The action blended perfectly with the character development, and it was interesting to watch two worlds collide when the past meets the future. The characters also stayed true to their comic book origins while still providing all the humor and action that the series has offered in the past.
   X-Men: Days of Future Past is my favorite movie in the series so far. And if you stayed after the credits, you'll get a sneak peak at the next installment in the series. 

Men In Black III

Rating: PG-13
Cast: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones

Epic Rating: 6/10

   After a long time, the alien crime fighters K and J are back, and ready to take on the next threat to the universe. While this may be the next installment in the series, it feels a lot different than when we last left the agents in 2002. We see new faces in the MIB Headquarters, and a much younger version of K, played by Josh Brolin.
   The first part of the movie is very familiar with the first two films. We see K and J kicking some alien ass in China Town, and some humorous moments with the two agents in the car together chatting it out. Things then take a whole different direction, when Agent J must travel back to 1969 to save his partner, and Earth, from an alien biker. While in 1969, J learns a lot of information about K's past, as well as his own. 
   Men In Black III is a tough movie to review. You have some elements from the past films, but at the same time you have the new elements such as time travel, which change the entire movie. I thought Josh Brolin did an excellent job playing the young Agent K, but at the same time, I missed Tommy Lee Jones' smart remarks and wit. 
   We can only hope that this film will see the continuation of this great series. I strongly suggest renting this film for two reasons; to catch up on the MIB Series, or to just to watch a fun action film.

Moonrise Kingdom

Rating: PG-13
Cast: Bruce Willis, Bill Murray

Epic Rating: 10/10

   There are certain movies that stand out from the crowd. Moonrise Kingdom is a fine example of that. Instead of keeping your attention with hilarious comedy or fast paced action throughout, you get dry humor and scenes scripted so well it seems as though the dialog came from real life. This quirky comedy will do its best to entertain you, while throwing in a few chuckles here and there.
   Moonrise Kingdom is basically about two outcast children, a boy and a girl, running away from their family and friends to fall in love and start a life together. This then starts a chain of events, that will change the small island town forever.
   I really enjoyed this movie. The plot was very interesting, and i didn't get bored for one second. Sure, this movie may not be your cup of tea, but it is a nice break from all the loud action movies we've seen recently, and it is a example of fine modern day film making. I recommend seeing this film soon.

Hotel Transylvania

Rating: PG
Cast: Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez

Epic Rating: 6/10

   Hotel Transylvania is just another children s summer flick with just enough spice to bring it to an above average level. You get the typical love story with "gross" comedy mixed in to make it exciting, all ending in a chase scene to make things right. Hotel Transylvania follows this, but it does it in such a different way sometimes you forget it.
   Hotel Transylvania is a story about an over protective father, Dracula (Sandler), building a hotel to protect his daughter, along with all the other monsters of the world. You get to see classic Hollywood monsters, dubbed down of course for the younger audiences. Things take a turn for the worst when a human, feared by all monsters, finds his way into the hotel. But this accident could change Dracula's look on humans forever.
   Genndy Tartakovsky's Hotel Transylvania is alright. You get your basic children's movie plot with enough comedy mixed in to make it enjoyable. So treat your kids to this movie soon, the monsters are Dying to meet you;).

The Avengers

Today we take a look at the newest installment in Marvel's Cinematic Universe: The Avengers. Featuring a Star-Studded Cast including Robert Downy Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, and Mark Ruffalo, The Avengers is a great action and comic book film. 

Iron Man

Rating: PG-13
Cast: Robert Downy Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow

Epic Rating: 9/10

   Iron Man is the start of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It sets the stage for all the other Marvel movies to come, and it does a pretty kick ass job of doing so. Robert Downy Jr. stars as billionaire weapons designer Tony Stark, or as you may know him as Iron Man.
   The Plot for the majority of the movie is the Origin of the Iron Crime Fighter. Tony is kidnapped by a gang in Iraq and is forced to create a weapon or be killed. Tony then creates a new weapon, a robotic suit of Armor, and defeats the gang and makes it back to America. Little does he know, this new suit could grab the attention of a greedy manager in his own company.
   Iron Man is a great movie. Unlike most super hero movies, this one doesn't  rely on explosions every scene. It manages to mix human drama and adventure into a great action movie. Iron Man is a must see.