The Dark Knight Rises

Let me just get one thing off my chest really quick... DO NOT compare Heath Ledger's Joker to Hardy’s Bane. It just can't be done. All the reviews about bane that you get from the cast that go on interviews are completely right. Bane is a monster with no holds bar. He does not care for reasoning nor does want to.  His plan will go according to plan and to stay out the way. The Joker was a fun evil character. Bane is a serious villain with a plan.

I wish I could give you spoilers, but I just can't. The way this whole movie was set up is almost indescribable. I went opening night and I'll be honest I almost came out not knowing how to feel. I did Imax 2 days later and I have to say, I understood it a lot better and was able to concentrate on some items that I had not the first time.

Where do I start...as you know this story line is 8 years after Harvey Dent died. Batman/Bruce Wayne is walking on a cane, he's got the gray streaks in his hair (side story: he's just that beat up after all he's been through in that gap of time where he's been fighting crime). But now he's retired since the city crime has been reduced by so much... Until the rise of this storm.

Throughout the whole movie it’s just a forever unfolding story. Another thing you MUST know is, if you want to get a full grasp of the story, make sure you watch Batman Begins. I'm pretty sure you can understand who is who even if you don't because the explanation is there. It just depends if you are paying that much attention to the film. Do yourself the favor.

The complexity of all the characters, especially Bane, Oh man, if you think you knew who Bane really was; you have never seen this Bane. All fan boys and girls are going to go nuts after this movie. Selina Kyle/Catwoman is not Michelle Pfeiffer, she never purred or meowed but her input in the movie was well played. You can compare her character to Scar-Jo's Black Widow in the Avengers. Plain and simple, she kicks ass! Officer Blake played by William Gordon Levitt, has the wit of a young rookie cop who just wants justice to be served, safety for others, not scared and knows how to fight. Welcome back Commissioner Gordon, Alfred, and Lucius Fox to the movie as well.

I really don't want to give much away about the rest of this movie but I will return within two weeks about my real opinion and give away of what I think are spoilers and giveaways about the movie. I will just say, I think this movie is epic, I don't anyone else could have played a better villain than the work Tom Hardy has done as Bane. The storyline was great. Effects were spectacular and the BAT is probably the most awesome vehicle in the Batman arsenal. Christian Bale is still one of my top 3 actors I've ever watched. Not only did you hear laughs, sniffles of crying, but best of all the cheers and claps given at the end of the movie was something great. At one point I turned and looked around and saw not one empty seat. The fulfillments to this third installment by Christopher Nolan and his team are phenomenal and this movie will be upheld as a masterpiece in MANY people’s eyes!

Reccomended: Hell Yes! A Blockbuster! A must see for 2012!

Personal Rating: (10/10 Accounting Calculators)

Ice Age: Continental Drift

Let’s put it this way... if you have never been a fan of the whole Ice Age series, then I won't blame, you. I think I have seen just about all of them. Here's the story, it's the same all the damn time. I was expecting something new; maybe a new character can take the lead... maybe?? But no! It’s all seems to be a blur now, they all become one. I am a BIG fan of animated films. I will not say it was terrible, or might but, I guess if you really want to go see, it’s all on you. Kids will enjoy the show, but then again that's who it’s targeted for. Not for adults, sometimes you have to take a step back and ask yourself, should I watch this as the little kid "in me" or do I watch it as a grown up??

Plain and simple, as adult, just wait for the DVD. Main point of the story is; what won't a father/husband do for his daughter/wife? The story line is simple, and one again, like I said. It's for the kids; they will be the ones to enjoy it the most!

Now! Let’s get into some characters, Captain Gutt a.k.a. Peter Dinklage. Man, this made me feel like I was watching Game of Thrones all over again, same voice same attitude, he fit the part, no doubt about it. But then I wonder... will he always play the same character everywhere?? Drake, J-Lo, Nikki Minaj... wtf?? Really?? You had to hire star power to do what they did, which was nothing of course, I do have to give it to J-Lo though, and she acts better in animation than she does on actual camera. Oh, before I forget, WANDA SYKES!! Yes!! Big score on that one!

What I liked most was, less of Ray Romano, less of Queen Latifah.

A disappointing fact was about the education to the film, it’s like the continents shifted and that’s that. Nothing else! Again, I understand, it’s meant to be a comedy for kids, but I am pretty sure they could have implemented it somehow.

Recommended: Wait for the DVD or even cable might have it soon enough.

Personal Rating:(6/10 Accounting Calculators) 

Savages

I will say that I did like the movie very much. Nothing better a fucked up love story! Oliver Stone creates all these controversial films, that just boggle the mind sometimes, but being that this was based on a book, I see why he chose this as a film. It’s just as mind boggling as the rest of them! From the top, I just want to say that I would pass through the participation of the T. Kitsch, B. Lively, and A. Taylor-Johnson in this film Skip all the way to, one of my favorites, Benicio Del Toro, as well as Salam Hayek. In my imagination, I think Del Toro, plays a great representation of what the second lieutenant of a warlord might be in real life. Heck he even looks like he belongs with the cartels form the acting portrayed in this movie. He’s the one you root for in the end. Hayek on the other hand represents the bad ass, no mercy on anything type of chick! Now, movie forward, and it’s probably what everyone wants to know, the butt groping Travolta… what can I say… It was like watching him in Face/Off again; that witty I don’t play that shit attitude suits him! 

All in all, I would recommend this movie. It’s essentially great especially if you in with no pre-judgments of the film. The movie has a very “California feel” to it; sunshine, brightness, waves, surfers, beaches, blondes, houses by the ocean, etc.  

Now… the other thing that I did want to get into was the title of the movie, although you don’t get to see the actual footage, which is good, decapitating with a chainsaw, whip-lashing. And not to give too much away, all the characters represent a “savage” in their own way, by the things they do. By the reactions they have, having sex like savages. Del Toro, savage for the way he kills, like a straight predator. You can associate the usage of drugs like a savage for the one who relapses and the need for it, and because you would do anything for that one person; including acting like a savage to get them back.

Recommend: If you’re in the mood.

Personal Rating: (7.5/10 Accounting Calculators)

Spider-Man in I-Max 3-D

My first review; well I can't say this is the greatest of all movies out right now or was one the best that I've seen so far this year. but for $21 for I-Max 3-D, this was very entertaining, besides the dude who wanted to pick a fight with me before the movie started which made me flare my nostrils a couple of times, I think this movie was well created, good action, good humor, nice love story, and more connection with the audience. For a young Spider-Man, I thought the dude playing him would have been a little "not-so-dry" for lack of better words, other than that, it's all good!. There is a different type of life in the movie as opposed to Sam Raimi was good, although I think his trilogy was slightly over mediocre, at best.

Recommended: Yes!

Personal Rating: (8/10 Accounting Calculators)