MovieEnthusiast's stats
- Review count238
- Helpfulness votes57
- First reviewMay 10, 2009
- Last reviewAugust 17, 2013
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3.2
Overall rating
1
/
5
Tyler Perry's Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor
PostedMarch 29, 2013
MovieEnthusiast
from Herndon, VA
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:weekly
Dialogue
2
/
5
Special Effects
2
/
5
Art Direction
3
/
5
Acting
2
/
5
Story
3
/
5
Camerawork
3
/
5
This is one serious Drama. There is no "Madea". Tyler Perry is strictly behind the camera.
"Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor" is about an ambitious young married woman who finds herself attracted to a Technology Billionaire.
The passion that she feels for the billionaire causes her work and home life to spin out of control. Decisions that she makes will have far reaching consequences and change the course of her life forever. The story unfolds from there...
The passion that she feels for the billionaire causes her work and home life to spin out of control. Decisions that she makes will have far reaching consequences and change the course of her life forever. The story unfolds from there...
Tyler Perry's "Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor" limps along for almost two hours before you see some explosive scenes with a surprising but strange ending. Kim Kardashian cannot act!! The other stars are boring.
On the positive side, the story Tyler Perry is trying to tell does hit close to home as everything in the movie can and probably has happened in real life.
On the positive side, the story Tyler Perry is trying to tell does hit close to home as everything in the movie can and probably has happened in real life.
I am disappointed!! This is not Tyler Perry's best work.
Cons bad acting, slow
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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-1point
0of 1voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
2
/
5
Olympus Has Fallen
PostedMarch 23, 2013
MovieEnthusiast
from Herndon, VA
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:weekly
Dialogue
3
/
5
Special Effects
4
/
5
Art Direction
4
/
5
Acting
4
/
5
Story
1
/
5
Camerawork
4
/
5
At the writing of this review I am undecided as to whether I like "Olympus Has Fallen" or not. There are a few good elements about the movie, but there are also an equal number of bad elements about the movie and that's what makes it difficult. The Cast is HUGH and are all excellent actors.
On a nice July day the unthinkable happens, an extreme terrorist and his army invade the air space around the White House. The army is well armed and knows all of our secret weapons and how they operate. President Benjamin Asher (Aaron Eckhart) and most of his key staff are taken hostage in the White House bunker.
Fortunately for President Asher, one of his former security officers Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) happens to arrive and is able to get inside the White House undetected before everything is shut down.
Banning needs to locate the President's young son and rescue the President before the extremists unleash their intended plan on the US. The story unfolds from there...
Think "Die Hard" at the White House. This is what "Olympus Has Fallen" will remind you of. Security Officer Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) is John McCain (Bruce Willis).
The difference is "Die Hard" was more interesting while "Olympus Has Fallen" has a bigger cast. The plot is mildly interesting. There is some cool artillery that is used. The movie is very bloody and in your face violent. A bright spot is that Morgan Freeman, Angela Bassett and Gerard Butler are excellent.
But, with all of that being said, this has been done before. Only the venue is different. It's really sad that you have a ton of great actors/actresses and the movie is borderline mediocre. I found my self checking my watch on a couple of different occasions during the movie. If I do that, it's not a good sign.
On a nice July day the unthinkable happens, an extreme terrorist and his army invade the air space around the White House. The army is well armed and knows all of our secret weapons and how they operate. President Benjamin Asher (Aaron Eckhart) and most of his key staff are taken hostage in the White House bunker.
Fortunately for President Asher, one of his former security officers Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) happens to arrive and is able to get inside the White House undetected before everything is shut down.
Banning needs to locate the President's young son and rescue the President before the extremists unleash their intended plan on the US. The story unfolds from there...
Think "Die Hard" at the White House. This is what "Olympus Has Fallen" will remind you of. Security Officer Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) is John McCain (Bruce Willis).
The difference is "Die Hard" was more interesting while "Olympus Has Fallen" has a bigger cast. The plot is mildly interesting. There is some cool artillery that is used. The movie is very bloody and in your face violent. A bright spot is that Morgan Freeman, Angela Bassett and Gerard Butler are excellent.
But, with all of that being said, this has been done before. Only the venue is different. It's really sad that you have a ton of great actors/actresses and the movie is borderline mediocre. I found my self checking my watch on a couple of different occasions during the movie. If I do that, it's not a good sign.
Cons bad story, crazy plot
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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-5points
0of 5voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
3
/
5
Dead Man Down
PostedMarch 10, 2013
MovieEnthusiast
from Herndon, VA
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:weekly
Dialogue
3
/
5
Special Effects
3
/
5
Art Direction
3
/
5
Acting
3
/
5
Story
4
/
5
Camerawork
4
/
5
"Dead Man Down" is not exactly what you might think. The previews will lead you to think this is about a violent assault on a woman and her trying to get revenge. It's much more then that...
Neils Arden Oplev, the director of the original "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" makes his US debut with "Dead Man Down".
There are two stories that go on in "Dead Man Down". They both center on revenge and family. The desire for revenge is extremely strong for two people, Victor (Colin Farrell) and Beatrice (Noomi Rapace) who don't know each other, but after meeting and sizing each other up, they sort of join forces, each with he or her own agenda. The story unfolds from there...
"Dead Man Down" is very violent. There is a lot of suspense and intrigue. The story moves right along and nothing drags. The plots unfold nicely. I was impressed. I found the movie to be better than I expected. The paid critics were Luke-warm, but if you can stand the violence, "Dead Man Down" is worth a look.
Neils Arden Oplev, the director of the original "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" makes his US debut with "Dead Man Down".
There are two stories that go on in "Dead Man Down". They both center on revenge and family. The desire for revenge is extremely strong for two people, Victor (Colin Farrell) and Beatrice (Noomi Rapace) who don't know each other, but after meeting and sizing each other up, they sort of join forces, each with he or her own agenda. The story unfolds from there...
"Dead Man Down" is very violent. There is a lot of suspense and intrigue. The story moves right along and nothing drags. The plots unfold nicely. I was impressed. I found the movie to be better than I expected. The paid critics were Luke-warm, but if you can stand the violence, "Dead Man Down" is worth a look.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
3
/
5
Snitch
PostedFebruary 23, 2013
MovieEnthusiast
from Herndon, VA
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:weekly
Dialogue
3
/
5
Special Effects
4
/
5
Art Direction
4
/
5
Acting
4
/
5
Story
3
/
5
Camerawork
4
/
5
"Snitch" is based loosely on a true story about a father who tries to save his college-bound son from long-term incarceration in prison for accepting a delivery at his home on behalf of a friend. The delivery turns out to be heroine. The minimum sentence is 10 years. The story unfolds from there...
"Snitch" is not bad! The problem is, at times the movie drags and it takes too long to get to the point, but overall it's decent. The movie contains strong violence as you would expect from any drug-related scenarios that involve a drug cartel, DEA, District Attorney, local police and any other federal law enforcement agencies.
For you Dwayne Johnson fans, this is not your typical Dwayne Johnson movie. There is hardly any action. In fact you will see a softer more compassionate Dwayne Johnson.
"Snitch" was not on my original "Watch List", but I decided to give it a look.
"Snitch" is not bad! The problem is, at times the movie drags and it takes too long to get to the point, but overall it's decent. The movie contains strong violence as you would expect from any drug-related scenarios that involve a drug cartel, DEA, District Attorney, local police and any other federal law enforcement agencies.
For you Dwayne Johnson fans, this is not your typical Dwayne Johnson movie. There is hardly any action. In fact you will see a softer more compassionate Dwayne Johnson.
"Snitch" was not on my original "Watch List", but I decided to give it a look.
Cons slow, dragas
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
2
/
5
A Good Day to Die Hard
PostedFebruary 16, 2013
MovieEnthusiast
from Herndon, VA
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:weekly
Dialogue
2
/
5
Special Effects
4
/
5
Art Direction
4
/
5
Acting
4
/
5
Story
2
/
5
Camerawork
4
/
5
I have to say that I was shocked when I found out 9 months ago that another "Die Hard" movie was in the works. In 2007 when "Live Free or Die Hard" opened Bruce Willis indicated that this would be the last installment in the "Die Hard" franchise. So here we are in 2013 and 25 years after the first "Die Hard" we are being enticed by yet another installment.
In this 5th Installment John McCain (Bruce Willis) is going to Russia on vacation, but instead he finds himself fresh off his flight having to try to get his grown son Jack (Jai Courtney) who is a CIA operative out of hot water. McCain isn't aware that his son is a CIA operative, he thinks Jack is a criminal. Things get real dicey. The story unfolds from there...
There is non-stop action, violence, and mayhem. There is no less than 100 cars that get blown-up or destroyed in this movie, along with some really HUGH helicopters. The stunts that are performed are so preposterous that there is no way a human being could survive any of what you see. The plot is... oh wait there is no plot, at least not one you can sink your teeth into. You are never sure of whom the bad guy or guys are.
The best thing about "A Good Day to Die Hard" is that it shows well in IMAX and you get to see some scenic views of Russia. In fact if you are going to waste your money you should see it in IMAX. You need the full effect.
I am very disappointed. I really liked the 2007 installment "Live Free or Die Hard". I actually own it on DVD. Out of all 5 installments, the first and fourth were the best. "A Good Day to Die Hard" should have been left on the cutting room floor. These installments do make money for 20th Century Fox, so I am sure we will be treated to a 6th installment in a couple of years.
In this 5th Installment John McCain (Bruce Willis) is going to Russia on vacation, but instead he finds himself fresh off his flight having to try to get his grown son Jack (Jai Courtney) who is a CIA operative out of hot water. McCain isn't aware that his son is a CIA operative, he thinks Jack is a criminal. Things get real dicey. The story unfolds from there...
There is non-stop action, violence, and mayhem. There is no less than 100 cars that get blown-up or destroyed in this movie, along with some really HUGH helicopters. The stunts that are performed are so preposterous that there is no way a human being could survive any of what you see. The plot is... oh wait there is no plot, at least not one you can sink your teeth into. You are never sure of whom the bad guy or guys are.
The best thing about "A Good Day to Die Hard" is that it shows well in IMAX and you get to see some scenic views of Russia. In fact if you are going to waste your money you should see it in IMAX. You need the full effect.
I am very disappointed. I really liked the 2007 installment "Live Free or Die Hard". I actually own it on DVD. Out of all 5 installments, the first and fourth were the best. "A Good Day to Die Hard" should have been left on the cutting room floor. These installments do make money for 20th Century Fox, so I am sure we will be treated to a 6th installment in a couple of years.
Pros lots of action
Cons bad dialogue, no plot
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
4
/
5
Side Effects
PostedFebruary 9, 2013
MovieEnthusiast
from Herndon, VA
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:weekly
Dialogue
4
/
5
Special Effects
4
/
5
Art Direction
5
/
5
Acting
5
/
5
Story
4
/
5
Camerawork
4
/
5
"Side Effects" is a tight Suspense Thriller that touches on the anxieties of depression and deals with the moral aspects of medical ethics.
Emily (Rooney Mara) and Martin's (Channing Tatum) successful world collapses amidst a new experimental drug that is prescribed by Emily's psychiatrist (Jude Law). The drug is intended to treat Anxiety, but of course has many side effects one in particular is sleep walking. The story unfolds from there...
"Side Effects" is a series of twists, turns, surprises, drama and deafening suspense. This is Director Steve Soderbergh at his finest. You will attempt to figure out what is going on in the movie and think you have it all figured out right up to the end, but you'd be wrong.
The sneakiness, surprises, suspense, twists and turns are what make "Side Effects" worth seeing. "Side Effects" isn't great, but it is very good and has an excellent cast!!
Emily (Rooney Mara) and Martin's (Channing Tatum) successful world collapses amidst a new experimental drug that is prescribed by Emily's psychiatrist (Jude Law). The drug is intended to treat Anxiety, but of course has many side effects one in particular is sleep walking. The story unfolds from there...
"Side Effects" is a series of twists, turns, surprises, drama and deafening suspense. This is Director Steve Soderbergh at his finest. You will attempt to figure out what is going on in the movie and think you have it all figured out right up to the end, but you'd be wrong.
The sneakiness, surprises, suspense, twists and turns are what make "Side Effects" worth seeing. "Side Effects" isn't great, but it is very good and has an excellent cast!!
If you love Drama and Suspense, "Side Effects" is your movie.
Pros well paced, great actors
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
2
/
5
Bullet To the Head
PostedFebruary 2, 2013
MovieEnthusiast
from Herndon, VA
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:weekly
Dialogue
2
/
5
Special Effects
4
/
5
Art Direction
4
/
5
Acting
2
/
5
Story
2
/
5
Camerawork
4
/
5
"Bullet to the Head" is about "Greed, Corruption and Revenge".
In this action packed testosterone filled flick, Sylvester Stallone plays a professional hit man who teams up with a cop (Kang Sung). They are both trying to avenge the deaths of their respective partners and stamp out a common enemy. The story unfolds from there...
The story is disjointed at best! There is absolutely no on-screen chemistry between Sylvester Stallone and Kang Sung. Jon Seda and Sylvester Stallone make a better on-screen pair. The acting is a bit off also.
There is lots of action and the movie is filled with violence and is very bloody. All of that being said Sylvester Stallone still has it!! Sylvester Stallones’ dialog is laugh out loud funny at times. If you are a Sylvester Stallone fan, you might want to see "Bullet to the Head".
If you like your movies filled with testosterone and full of action then "Bullet to the Head" is your movie. Otherwise wait for "Bullet to the Head" to come out on DVD or Blueray
In this action packed testosterone filled flick, Sylvester Stallone plays a professional hit man who teams up with a cop (Kang Sung). They are both trying to avenge the deaths of their respective partners and stamp out a common enemy. The story unfolds from there...
The story is disjointed at best! There is absolutely no on-screen chemistry between Sylvester Stallone and Kang Sung. Jon Seda and Sylvester Stallone make a better on-screen pair. The acting is a bit off also.
There is lots of action and the movie is filled with violence and is very bloody. All of that being said Sylvester Stallone still has it!! Sylvester Stallones’ dialog is laugh out loud funny at times. If you are a Sylvester Stallone fan, you might want to see "Bullet to the Head".
If you like your movies filled with testosterone and full of action then "Bullet to the Head" is your movie. Otherwise wait for "Bullet to the Head" to come out on DVD or Blueray
Cons bad acting, lack of chemistry between co-stars
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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-1point
0of 1voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
3
/
5
Parker
PostedJanuary 26, 2013
MovieEnthusiast
from Herndon, VA
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:weekly
Dialogue
3
/
5
Special Effects
3
/
5
Art Direction
4
/
5
Acting
3
/
5
Story
3
/
5
Camerawork
4
/
5
Have you ever heard of a thief who has a code of ethics? "Don't steal from those who can't afford it and don't hurt people who don't deserve it". "Parker" (Jason Statham) a professional thief lives by this code. But on his latest heist Parker's crew double crosses him and steals his loot. The story unfolds from there...
The movie takes you from small town Ohio to West Palm Beach Florida to Chicago. There is lots of action and intrigue. The movie is very violent. Jennifer Lopez and Jason Statham together is a miss-matched pair. They are actually quite funny together.
"Parker" is not a great movie, but it's definitely worth seeing for the entertainment factor alone.
A "B" movie with "A" list stars.
The movie takes you from small town Ohio to West Palm Beach Florida to Chicago. There is lots of action and intrigue. The movie is very violent. Jennifer Lopez and Jason Statham together is a miss-matched pair. They are actually quite funny together.
"Parker" is not a great movie, but it's definitely worth seeing for the entertainment factor alone.
A "B" movie with "A" list stars.
Cons no-on screen chemistry
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
4
/
5
Broken City
PostedJanuary 25, 2013
MovieEnthusiast
from Herndon, VA
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:weekly
Dialogue
4
/
5
Special Effects
4
/
5
Art Direction
4
/
5
Acting
4
/
5
Story
4
/
5
Camerawork
4
/
5
"What a tangled web we weave when we are trying to Deceive!!" "Broken City" puts an interesting twist on a "Political Thriller".
Mark Wahlberg plays ex-cop Billy Taggert who knows there is plenty of injustice in the city. After being double-crossed by the one and only Mayor (Russell Crowe) who happens to be the most popular guy in town; Billy has his hands full trying to prove the injustice, get revenge and redemption.
Billy's endless pursuit almost gets him killed, but that isn't going to stop him. The story unfolds from there...
There are several agendas that play out in this movie and that is what makes it interesting. Although there is plenty of suspense and intrigue, the movie could have had a more detailed ending. There were a couple of holes left unfilled. Things are not always as they seem.
The paid critics were "Luke-warm" about "Broken City", but I felt it was pretty good. If you like Political Suspense Thrillers, this is your movie.
Pros well paced, suspenseful
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
2
/
5
Gangster Squad
PostedJanuary 12, 2013
MovieEnthusiast
from Herndon, VA
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:weekly
Dialogue
3
/
5
Special Effects
3
/
5
Art Direction
4
/
5
Acting
4
/
5
Story
2
/
5
Camerawork
4
/
5
Set in 1949 Los Angeles, "Gangster Squad" is about the Brooklyn mob king Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn). Mickey Cohen runs the show in Los Angeles and he wants everyone to know it. He has judges and cops in his back pocket and believes he is untouchable, but along comes a few of LA's finest that he doesn't have in his pocket and they decide to form a squad to take Mickey and his gang down once and for all. The story unfolds from there...
This is based on a true story. The timeline is good, but the story is a bit choppy. Things bounce around a bit and at times don't quite make sense. The ensemble of actors is good. The right people were picked. Sean Penn is very good as Mickey Cohen; although at times he does not come across as menacing as he should have.
I love Josh Brolin and he does an excellent job of leading the charge, but alas something is missing. The movie does not hold as much excitement as the previews lead you to believe.
The original opening date for this movie was September 2012, but it was moved to January 2013 and I am not sure why.
"Gangster Squad" will be good to watch on Blue-Ray or DVD. Wait for it unless you have nothing else to do.
This is based on a true story. The timeline is good, but the story is a bit choppy. Things bounce around a bit and at times don't quite make sense. The ensemble of actors is good. The right people were picked. Sean Penn is very good as Mickey Cohen; although at times he does not come across as menacing as he should have.
I love Josh Brolin and he does an excellent job of leading the charge, but alas something is missing. The movie does not hold as much excitement as the previews lead you to believe.
The original opening date for this movie was September 2012, but it was moved to January 2013 and I am not sure why.
"Gangster Squad" will be good to watch on Blue-Ray or DVD. Wait for it unless you have nothing else to do.
Cons choppy story, things not placed in context
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.