The Martian: think Chris Pratt in “Gravity”

You know, it isn’t easy being this salty. Seeing a mediocre or bad film usually leaves me a little leeway, with so much to criticize I can normally focus on the most glaring of...

“The Scorch Trials” and the problem with film series

Our story opens with a small cohort of adventurers leaving the world they knew to find salvation at a settlement in the mountains. Along the way, they are beset on all sides by dangers...

“Inside Out” is Pixar’s comeback

Pixar’s done it again. They’ve crafted another modern animated classic that hits all the zones: gorgeous animation, spot-on voice casting, an emotional story that doesn’t run itself into excessive sentimentality, jokes for both...

“Jurassic World:” It’s a Capitalistic World After All

As a young lass plopped in front of a VHS player and mini television combo, my third bowl of sugary cereal in hand, I discovered the wonder of violence and thrill that dinosaurs can...

The Rock rocks amidst falling rocks in the raucous “San Andreas”

My goodwill towards action movies is uncharacteristically strong, partly because of “Mad Max: Fury Road” and partly because I recently re-watched the first “Die Hard.” Because of this, I decided to see “San Andreas,”...

“Tomorrowland’s” future is dimly lit

“Tomorrowland” takes a few Disneyland references and slaps them onto the background of a film that otherwise does not feel like a Disney movie. Brad Bird, known for his experiences in both writing and...

“Pitch Perfect 2” is in tune

For those of us who braved the rain and waited hours in a line outside of the HUB to receive tickets, “Pitch Perfect 2” was a much-needed relief from the gut-wrenching debacle of continued...

You’d be mad to miss “Mad Max: Fury Road”

Australia truly is a dangerous place. If the giant spiders, crocodiles or box jellyfish don’t kill you, the roving bands of albino raiders certainly will. “Mad Max: Fury Road” is the fourth film in...

Tina Fey plus monkeys equals fun for all in “Monkey Kingdom”

Before going to see Disneynature’s latest film, “Monkey Kingdom,” I must ask you a couple of questions. First: Do you like monkeys? Specifically, do you like toque macaque monkeys, the kind featured in this...

“Hot Pursuit” generates laughter

“Hot Pursuit” is a comedy directed by Anne Fletcher, and has generally elicited very unfavorable ratings. The narrative follows Texan police officer Rose Cooper (Reese Witherspoon), who is trying to follow in her father’s...