GreatGatsby

Dirty Grandpa has a decent production value and actors who are giving everything they got, but this raunchy comedy drama is so unfunny it feels like it was only made for people to see Robert De Niro be a tasteless and overly sexual Grandpa. There's really not an underuse of characters, but the overuse of a few characters and the 'idiot cop gag' lead to gaps in the film being completely laugh free. Audrey Plaza, Zac Efron, and Robert De Niro all give wacky, completely unrealistic character performances and deliver lines with the attempt to create belly laughs, but John M Phillips writing services them nothing interesting to say. The most problematic issue was the over-the-top drama towards the end of the film that felt incredibly forced and unnatural. Overall, each actor in this 'comedy' deserves the respect that none of their performances felt like this film was just another pay check for them. Plus the editing and cinematography is well done for the most part. Dirty Grandpa, however, is just too unfunny to be considered even a decent comedy, since very little of the dialogue and visuals provide much more than uncomfortable chuckles.

Now You See Me 2 is both an amusing and interesting film. Though lacking some of the originality of the first film, this sequel includes possibly the best scene of the two done with a simple playing card. The film is not perfect, but is an enjoyable film for everyone.

Logan achieves what Warner Brother's The Dark Knight did in creating a superhero film hidden within another genre, in this case the modern western. Logan's atmosphere is both gritty and dark, though provides reasoning for its mood. The cast is all brilliant, especially Hugh Jackman in the titular character. The action scenes are superb, bloody and all, and a real sense of thrill and importance. The only personal crutch for me was the lack of clear development of the villian(s), yet the great storytelling of the protagonists makes up the these issues. Logan is easily on of the best superhero films ever, and possibly one of the best films of the year.

Beauty and the Beast achieved in creating a film that captured the animated beauty that dazzled us all, while achieving in adding elements to the story that help in creating a more cohesive film.Beauty and the Beast adds it's own elements that offer explanations to both Belle and the Beast's individual tales, offering the viewer more simpathy for our main duo. The film is at its best when it creates the amazing musical numbers of the original, both visually and musically, especially the new music additions, especially the tune Evermore that brilliantly provides Dan Steven's Beast his own sorrowful tune. The film is only hindered by the dragging out certain musical numbers and elements, mostly just to provide the film an acceptable run time. And of course the original will always hold a charm that will always put it a notch above its live action counterpart. As its own interpretation, however, each character is casted perfectly, especially Josh Gad as LeFou, while bringing the beauty of the original to life in amazing special effects, and dazzling musical numbers. Beauty and the Beast should easily take place as one of the best family films of the year.

Kong: Skull Island is one of the best blockbuster films you will ever see, with brilliant production, characters, and especially the great visual effects. It's great to see a film that does not fear killing off major characters, while leaving more than just a couple survivors as well. The greatest handicap on Kong is elements of the writing and a fairly simplistic story overall that really takes no risks to shock the viewer past the great effects. The film, however, is a gripping tale with each character portrayed brilliantly, with a ever looming sense of thrill. Kong provides the viewer with a meaningful creature that is sure to lead the way for Universal's forthcoming universe of monsters.

The LEGO Batman movie continues Warner Brothers Lego franchise with a fairly smart and amusing film that achieves in bringing everyone's favorite caped crusader to the big screen in a more satirical light. Lego Batman is very funny in the most simplistic ways, as the trailers gave away most of the movies intended big laughs. The voice work is brilliant, especially Zach's work on the Joker that truly puts Jared Leto's to shame. I feel Warner would be better off doing a live action remake of this Batman film rather than continue on the path their superhero universe is heading.

If you try to take Lazer Team seriously, than you will want to send this movie straight to Hell. But is you sit back and enjoy the idiotic ride, you might just find yourself caught up in one of the dumbest, yet most amusing films of 2016. It's that simple.

The Magnificent Seven is a movie that will accomplish your initial reasoning to watch it: Great Characters in Awesome Action Sequences. The film is one of the best modern western films, with great characters, especially Chris Pratt's Faraday and Vincent D'Onofrio Jack Horne. The action sciences throughout the film are fun and appealing to the eye, though I wish they had gone less mainstream PG-13 fare and given a R rating for even better sequences. Character development is somewhat lacking, though achieved in Characters such as Denzel Washington's bounty hunter Chisholm and Ethan Hawke's Goodnight. Dialogue could be better throughout with more meaning sequences between the seven, though the film is a fun watch for everyone. Many are complaining about being unable to analyze characters in a meaningful fashion and giving the film negative reviews for it. This is not an "AP" course in high school, as One commented, but a fun western that though not in the ranks of recent films Django Unchained and True Grit, provides enough splendor to keep any fan of the genre entertained, along with the general moviegoer who chooses not to overanylze a popcorn flick.

Ben-Hur may be not near as successful as its predecessor, but it stands as its own entertaining piece of filmography. The film has great effects, with a cast committed to its craft. Those big fans of the original may be disappointed overall with the 2016 version, yet this film taken as its own individual piece is a interesting blockbuster that really doesn't deserve the hate it's getting.

The Secret Life of Pets is a cute movie for kids, but lacks the more mature appeal of other animated offerings. The films premise of pets living secret lives when their owners aren't home is unoriginal but fun, and the film provides a great deal of lives. The animation is very good and the movie is nice, but the appeal to older children and adults is not as apparent as other Illumination offerings and other offerings of the year. The kids will defiantly enjoy this film, but parts may make the adults cringe.

Deadpool will probably go down as one of the greatest R rated successes in cinema history. The film, based on the Marvel Comic yet distributed by Fox, is one of the most fun films of the year, taking the passion project from Ryan Reynolds that has been in development hell for years and creating a film that is unafraid to make fun of itself and everyone around it. Deadpool is not only funny in very smart jab, teen-boy fueled way, but has a very good script with interesting characters and editing to pull the film together. But again, this is Reynold's party, protraying Deadpool in the way he was suppose to be portrayed (sorry/not sorry X-Men Origins: Wolverine). Deadpool is the role Reynolds was meant to play. Deadpool has its slight imperfections, but the overall amusement of the film will entertain you in every way possible.

Hail, Caesar! is another great film from the Coen Brothers, based on the 1940's Hollywood hijenks. The film has great star power and amazing acting throughout, with production both magical and colorful. The film's humor for the most part is amusing, though some parts are dragged out a little too long, with periods of dialogue that is both dull and tiresome. The plot of the multiple areas of a "fixer" in Hollywood is both smart and well acknowledged within the film. Hail, Caesar! is a smart production with star power, and only lacking an uproarious response and satisfying ending for the numerous characters involved.

Sing is another charming production by the new animation big shots in town, Illumination. It's story, following a koala bear trying to save his failing theater with a singing competition, is a wonderful film to keep everyone enjoyed. The characters are very interesting, especially Johnny the Gorilla, and the music numbers make the film even more fun. Surprisingly though, the film didn't quite live up to the mark in terms of story arc for its numerous characters or even in the humor department. Yes there were a number of funny parts, but after productions like Despicable Me and Minions, I had expected a little more amusment. However, the story is solid and this film is sure to excite every member of the whole family.

Gods of Egypt is a big, original, spectacle film that feels have if all the money was spent on the spectacle with a lack of any originality. The film mirrors a number of films, most amusingly Disney films such as Aladdin and The Lion King, and attempts to pursue a big budget film for the eyes, though anyone with reasonable sense would laugh at the misguided ideals brought up within the picture. The film did provide a spectacle, however, with a number of interesting characters and interesting moments throughout. The plot makes little sense and the whitewashing element so heavily discussed is greatly prominent within the film, and many parts of the film come off a cheesy or unattempted humor. The film was interesting overall, and for those looking for a fun movie for the family or friends to watch would probably enjoy it, though looking past the great effects and colorful characters, one would come to find out this is only just an OK Movie.

Nine lives is a fun film for the whole family, though not sure any of these actors should put it on their future resumes. The plot was fairly thin with a weirdly dark twist at the end. However, considering this movie is about a man who takes the body of a cat, I don't consider this the most pressing issue. The fact the film delivered on its "cat-edy" for the most part is actually quite impressive. It is not a good movie, though overall it is a enjoyable watch for everyone.

Doctor Strange opens a new realm for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, one that was much needed: Magic. Benedict Cumberbatch takes on the titular role with little difficulty, resulting from a cocky doctor on the rise to a man who has lost everything he deems important to him. The big aspect of the film, its visual splendor, is used just in that way, making the 3D a feast for the eyes. The story and humor are on point as usual from one of the biggest brands in the world. Though it's the characters that really sell this film, with the controversial Tilda Swindon's Ancient One stealing the show from Cumberbatch many times. The film only falters in the character usage of a couple of its cast, most notable Rachel Adams playing Cumberbatch'a love interest, and does lose points for the obvious parallels between its story and that of Marvel's Iron Man. The film, however, ranks to be one of Marvel's best pictures, with a interesting and humorous story, wonderful characters, and some of the best visual effects of 2016.

The Charnel House is probably one of the best limited release horror films I have seen, though that's not saying quite a lot. The film is a horror/thriller that I wish would have increased the quality in both cases. The few moments of true horror were fairly impressive, and the visuals were fairly impressive given the budget. The cast did their part to the best of their abilities, though certain characters were greatly underused throughout the film. The most satisfying part of the film is it's wonderful twist that kind of made the slower build up understandable. The film falls short in certain areas such as character development of the characters other than Callum Blue's character Alex Reeves, and the writing/understanding of parts of the over all story. To judge the film, it is a pretty good little horror that thankfully doesn't just rely on jump scares, though you may get bored waiting for the really good twist to kick in.

Norm of the North is a film made for young children, that looks like it was written, produced, and animated by young children. The Film had no understandable flow, and lacks even one moment of thought provoking action. The film as a whole is fairly unfunny, though has moments of comical relief that kind of surprised me. I actually really like the character of Norm, who I felt had the best arc throughout and the best voice work, and his companions, the most untelligable characters in this film, easily offer the most laughs. The plot, however, makes no sense and most of the film tries to feel like it lives in the 21st Century, but is reduced to childish jokes. And in comparison to other animated offers of the year such as Zootopia, Kubo and the Two Strings, and even the slightly overrated The Secret Life of Pets, Norm of the North lacks any depth or even principles in its animation design. In grading the film as it was meant to be presented, a children's film, it works perfect for young kids and is sure to keep them entertained. But to anyone who is over the age of about 9, this is just a bad movie. My 3/10 comes from the fact I really enjoyed the character of Norm and his companions the lemmings made he laugh.

Regression is basically a very long episode of Law and Order Criminal Intent with a hint of Criminal Minds craziness. I not saying that's bad, except the film is a little too much of the law and not enough of the craziness. Marketed as a horror/thriller, Regression is really neither of those, except for a few more disturbing but not horrible scenes. The film is a psychological crime movie, which is not bad, except the film is a bore overall and just too long. Seeing critics respond so negatively to the ending surprises me, considering the second half of the film is so much more interesting than the first half. Regression is VERY well acted and overall has a very interesting story. It's problem is that's its too long with nothing interesting to account for the extra time. It's by no means bad Film and I recommend it to lovers of this genre, just don't expect a thriller, but a more narrow and longer episode of criminal minds.

Tyler Perry has really outdone himself on this film, creating another holiday piece of hilarious entertainment. Those upset with the religious views and the references to Halloween as "Devil Night" need to grow up and learn a little history has this was the original term for Halloween and it started by religious individuals to keep demons away. Anyway, the movie is very funny and really provides a meaningful lesson within a completely silly film.

I have set Zombieland as my Horror/Comedy base line, and it's safe to say this movie does not live up to this standard. The Movie has a big heart, but the overall production and story are lame compared to the great characters established. The first third of the movie is dreadful, with very few laughs if any and the a confusing plot, with the only grace coming from Tom Schiller's strange old man, Mitch. The Movie turns around during the assembly of the team, especially with the hilarious duo of nerd Zak and over-zealous security guard Ross, played by Paul W. Downs and Justin Long respectively. The second third, however, is dumbed down by a weird plot presentation and a constant piano sound that does not go with the film. The finale third of the film, however, makes up for the horrible plot, providing both a surprising twist and a few true comedic moments. It still has a stupid moments, but you'll survive. Overall, this Horror/Comedy is neither horrific nor incredibly comedic. It's not a good movie overall, but if you have nothing else to do, the dynamics of the GREAT characters and a weird twist might satisfy you.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Disney Animations latest offering, Zootopia, provides a vibrant story that will appease both kids and adults with its smart humor and charismatic characters, along with the slap in your face message that greatly faces our current world. The storytelling is magnificent and everything makes since in this animal driven animation. And officer Judy Hopps and con artist Nick Wilde may just be the best on-screen duo of this decade, animation or live-action.

Passengers is a original, star-driven film that only comes once a blue moon. The film is exciting and very romantic (maybe more that what I would have liked, but I can't really judge that). The supposed 'twist' that made critics so unhappy, was, in my opinion, handled well and was wonderfully acted out by Chris Pratt. Overall, the movie was very well-acted by all parties, especially Michael Sheen as the kind, but prhaps to logical, robot bartender, and was visually very enticing,. The only negative I could find was the amount of dialogue driven scenes that felt like went on too longer, or just had nothing interesting to say. The ending, while technically beautiful, lacked the impact it was going for, but I feel in the minority with that statement. The film overall was a great watch and I would defently recommend it.

The Film won't win any awards, but it's definitely not a bad movie. It's silly, crazy, weird, and mostly made for younger kids, but once you realize this, it becomes very enjoyable to sit through. The characters are fun and bizarre, the "creature" and overall film is original, and the action is incredibly unrealistic, but boarderline exciting to watch. The plot is fairly thin and the whole time I was left to wonder where all the parents were, but overall, it was worth the ticket price and a great Film to keep the kids, and some adults, amused.