jordangross Reviews

42 (2013)

Knocked out of the ball park!

[8/10 · 15 April 2013]

To start off, I am not the biggest fan of any type of sport, but I do enjoy the occasional sports movie. I thought it was very well done and kept you entertained the entire time. The facts were all right with every other player on the Dodgers and showed the realism of how racism used to be. I highly recommend seeing this movie not only if yo are a Baseball fan, but if you want to see a truly well done film.

One thing that really surprised me was how awesome of a job that Harrison Ford did playing Branch Rickey who owned the Dodgers. Chadwick Boseman also did a very great job playing Jackie Robinson. He kept the same attitude and gestures which was very entertaining to watch.

For my full video Review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxk-ZFZFUMQ

Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)

Not as good as the others!

[6/10 · 19 July 2012]

The fourth installment in a film series usually end up being mediocre or just plain out bad films. Sadly this film falls into the mediocre category and ends up being the worst film in the series, but that doesn't mean it is a terrible film, it just wasn't the best.

The 3D in this film was probably the best part of the film. The 3D really came out of the screen as well as the film had great depth. The 3D version is for sure the superior version to see.

This film stars Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond, Ice Age), Dennis Leary (Rescue Me, The Amazing Spider-Man), John Leguizamo (The Lincoln Lawyer, Ice Age), Aziz Ansari (Parks and Recreation, 30 Minutes or Less), Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones, Elf), Aubrey "Drake" Graham (Charlie Bartlett, Degrassi: The Next Generation), Queen Latifah (The Dilemma, Just Wright), Jennifer Lopez (What to Expect When You're Expecting, The Back-up Plan), Nicki Minaj (Ice Age: Continental Drift), Keke Palmer (True Jackson, VP, Akeelah and the Bee), Josh Peck (Drake & Josh, The Wackness), Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Paul), Seann William Scott (Road Trip, Role Models), Patrick Stewart (X-men, American Dad), and Wanda Sykes (Rio, Over the Hedge).

Manny (Ray Romano), Diego (Dennis Leary), and Sid (John Leguizamo) get drifted into the sea due to the forming of all the continents on Earth. While they are separated from the heard, they run into some pirates who try to take them as prisoners. There main goal is to make it back home to help their friends and loved ones while trying to escape from the pirates.

I enjoyed the film but it wasn't anything special. This is the worst out of the four films but its not a crappy movie, it just wasn't as funny nor did it feel that it needed to be made to add to the Ice Age story. Kids will probably have a fun time with this film but other than that its was just an alright film.

Rating: 6/10

Thank you for reading, any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Savages (I) (2012)

Surprisingly not to bad.

[7/10 · 9 July 2012]

A movie that didn't truly interest me until the last second somehow surprised me with how good it was compared to what I thought it would be. The trailers for this movie were not the interesting to me which made me not want to go see the film. I am glad I decided to still go and see it because I was pleasantly entertained.

This film stars Aaron Johnson (Kick-ass, The Illusionist), Taylor Kitsch (Battleship, John Carter), Blake Lively (The Town, Green Lantern), Benicio Del Toro (Snatch, The Usual Suspects), John Travolta (Pulp Fiction, Face/Off), and Salma Hayek (Frida, Desperado).

Best friends Ben (Aaron Johnson) and Chon (Taylor Kitsch) work together and sell the best pot there is. They also both share a girl, O (Blake Lively), who they both love equally and don't mind that they both have her. A Mexican drug cartel starts to move north and wants to partner up with Ben and Chon's methods and will not take no for an answer. Once they turn down the order, the cartel kidnaps O and forces Ben and Chon to work for them, but they have a plan to try and get her back.

I honestly really liked this movie because it was not what I was expecting going in to it. This film surprised me with every twist and turn it throws at you. When the action scenes came the were well done and very brutal, which is something I really enjoyed. I thought for the most part everyone did a good job at acting, there were just a few who couldn't make me believe their character and you can obviously tell who they are when you watch the film. The one major problem with the film that really disappointed me was the ending. They tried to pull a bait and switch and if they didn't do that then the film would have been better how it should have originally ended. If you have an interest in seeing the film then I suggest you do so, it was fun to watch and had some really awesome action scenes.

Rating: 7/10

Thank you for reading my review, any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Ted (2012)

Live action Family Guy!

[8/10 · 3 July 2012]

This is the closest thing you are going to get to a real life Family Guy. Seth MacFarlane, the creator of shows like Family Guy, American Dad, and The Cleveland Show, writes and directs one of the funniest movies I have seen in a very long time. I am so glad that this movie did not disappoint me because it was one of my most hyped films for 2012.

This movie stars Mark Wahlberg (Boogie Nights, The Fighter), Mila Kunis (That's 70 Show, Black Swan), Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy, American Dad), Joel McHale (The Soup, Community), and Giovanni Ribisi (Avatar, Saving Private Ryan).

When John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) receives a Teddy Bear (Seth MacFarlane) for Christmas when he was little, he makes a wish for it to come to life. So of course, it does come to life. They grow up through the years together as best friends and still are smoking weed, getting drunk, and going no where in life. John has been in a 4 year relationship with Lori (Mila Kunis) and Ted keeps getting John to do stupid things that cause Lori and him to fight. Lori has had it with Ted and tells John it is her or the Bear.

I thought the movie was very well written and very funny. Seth MacFarlane always loves to push his jokes out further and as a result it adds to making the movie non stop funny from start to finish. The Ted character that Seth MacFarlane has created is so great, that I believe Ted can turn into a franchise. I highly recommend seeing this film as soon as possible.

Rating: 8/10

Thank you for reading my review, any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Spidey is back and better than ever!

[8/10 · 3 July 2012]

I was a big fan of the original 2 Spider-Man movies, just not a big fan of the 3rd film. I am glad that someone picked up Spider-Man again and told a different origin story. My hype for this film was through the roof ever since the first trailer premiered in front of Captain America Movie last year. The ultimate thing that people want to know is if this film was better than the original trilogy. Lets just say yes to that.

This film stars Andrew Garfield (The Social Network, Never Let Me Go), Emma Stone (The Help, Superbad), Rhys Ifans (Little Nicky, Anonymous), Denis Leary (Rescue Me, Ice Age), and Martin Sheen (The West Wing, The Departed).

The 3D in the film was a mixed bag of good and great. When the action scenes were not going on, the 3D was decent with the depth, but there was nothing really popping out of the screen. Now, when there is action, the 3D gets enhanced and it pushes really far out of the screen. The 3D and IMAX 3D showings of the film are you best bet to get the best experience out of the film.

When Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) is young, his mother and father drop leave him in the care of his aunt and uncle. Once he is older and in high school, he finds some of his dads old stuff and starts to snoop and get into it. He finds his dads old work partner and helps him finish his project to regenerate skins cells and regrow limbs and such. At the same time he is falling for Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) who's dad is the police Captain. While dealing with the cops and the results of Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans) project, Spider-Man has a lot to deal with.

I thought this film was spectacular. I enjoyed every action scene, story based scene, and romantic scenes. There was only one real main problem and that was the pacing of the film. It felt like they rushes the begging story line scenes just to get him to be in the Spider-Man suit as soon as possible. Other than that the film was really well done and well directed. I don't think this film will do as well as "The Avengers" did or "The Dark Night Rises" will, but I think it is a great super hero film. I can't recommend this film enough. If you are a fan of Spider-Man, than this film does justice to the Spider-Man franchise.

Rating: 8.5/10

Thank you for reading my review, any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Magic Mike (2012)

NO EHAT IT SEEM! Which is a good thing.

[7/10 · 30 June 2012]

Men, don't be discouraged from this movie, the trailers make it out to seem like a full on male stripper movie, but that's only to bring in the female audience. Honestly the stripping scenes in the movie are so minimal, that any kind of job could have taken its place. The drama, and surprisingly comedy, take over this movie completely. Each character was so well developed that I wanted to know more and more about each individual person in the film.

This film stars Channing Tatum (21 Jump Street, Dear John), Alex Pettyfer (I Am Number Four, Beastly), Olivia Munn (Iron Man 2, Attack of the Show), Matthew McConaughey (The Lincoln Lawyer, U-571), Matt Bomer (In Time, White Collar), and Gabriel Iglesias (Comedian).

In Magic Mike, Mike (Channing Tatum) takes a younger person, Adam (Alex Pettyfer), under his wing and teaches him the way to make easy money, pick up chicks, and have a great time. The only reason why Mike actually does stripping is so that he can save a bunch of money and do what he really loves. With a bunch of set backs and drama related issues in his way while teaching Adam, the movie keeps you entertained from start to finish.

The performances in this movie were down right amazing. Channing Tatum has lately just getting better and better with every film that he has been in. His character in this film is so deep and interesting that you can't help but want to know more about him. I can mainly say that for all the actors as well because every character is so well developed and so deep that you really get invested into this movie. This is hands down one of my favorite films this year. Steven Soberbergh is such a great director, making yet another masterpiece.

Rating: 8/10 Thank you for reading my review, any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Brave (2012)

Better than expected!

[7/10 · 28 June 2012]

Honestly I wasn't looking forward to this Disney film at first because it really didn't interest me at all. I thought that Disney Princess movies have ran their course, but after watching the film I found out I was wrong. Disney just never seems to disappoint me, even if I didn't have the slightest interest. I only went to go see this film because my friends were like "Hey let's go see a movie." Since I have seen the other movie that are already in theaters, we all decided to see Brave at the last second.

The film stars Kelly Macdonald (No Country for Old Men, Trainspotting), Billy Connolly (The Last Samurai, The Boondock Saints), and Emma Thompson (Nanny McPhee, In the Name of the Father).

The 3D in this film was not as good as I thought it would be for a Disney film. Most animated movies I see have great 3D and sadly this one didn't impress me at all.

The film starts of as your average Disney movie does and you meet your princess Merida (Kelly Macdonald) right away. Now something I did like was that this takes place in Scotland so everyone has an awesome accents. Also something that was good is that the film was a lot darker than other Disney films. After trying to be forced to get set up with a suitor to marry her, she runs away from her problems and finds a way to change her fate around. At this point in the film is where the film takes a different and surprising turn where if you don't like it, then you won't like the rest of the movie. I happen to like where it went and enjoyed the whole film.

It is definitely not the best Disney movie ever made, but it is a pretty decent film. Truthfully I was expecting to be disappointed from the film and I am glad to say that was very impressed. Especially at the animation, Merida's hair looks so real in the way it moves and looks. Little kids will eat this movie up as well as adults will enjoy the film.

Rating: 7/10

Thank you for reading my review, any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012)

Unrealistically Believable!

[7/10 · 23 June 2012]

A name and idea so bizarre that actually works? I thought that would be unreal but this movie proved that wrong. Never before have I seen such a creative idea be attached to a huge part of American History and actually make sense. While I did have high anticipation for this film, I was still very surprise and impressed by the outcome.

This film stars Benjamin Walker (Flags of Our Fathers, Kinsey), Dominic Cooper (Captain America: The First Avenger, The Devil's Double), Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker, Real Steel), and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, The Thing).

The story starts you with a young Abraham Lincoln (Benjamin Walker) dealing with the death of his mother due to a Vampire. A few years later after his father passes away, he decides to go after the Vampire that killed his mother. While doing this he runs into Henry Sturgess (Dominic Cooper), a real vampire hunter who recruits Abraham Lincoln and trains him to become a real vampire hunter as well. From then on you see young Abraham Lincoln grow as a person with him becoming a great vampire hunter, a politician, and a love life. This is as far as I want to go with the story but from there Abraham Lincoln deal with becoming the 16th President of the United States, deal with the Civil War, and hunt vampires.

The 3D was actually pretty good at some of the heavy action scenes which was awesome, but for the slower parts of the film is was just added depth. I recommend seeing it in 3D for some of the really fun action scenes, but if you are not into the whole 3D craze, then the standard 2D should be just as good.

I really did enjoy this movie for how realistic they made the story seemed. They tied in this fictional story of vampires with the real life story of Abraham Lincoln so well that it seems like this movie could have been real. Another to note is how good the action looked. The were so many decapitated heads as well as hard hitting chops and slices into the vampires. Every hit that was delivered will make you cringe and believe they were real. The movie is something that you should go into with an open mind and you would think that you wouldn't take a movie like this seriously, but the movie is so dead serious with everything that happens that it is so believable. I recommend this movie to anyone who likes well done stories and intense gory fun action.

Rating: 7/10

Thank you for reading my review, any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)

Steve Carell steals the show!

[6/10 · 22 June 2012]

I went into this film knowing what it was going to be, a light hearted film trying to show any last bit of joy you can get before a huge disaster, or in this case the end of the world, would happen. I wasn't expect anything more and I got exactly what I thought, a fun movie with both funny and well written parts and a lot of light hearted moments. The movie really shows off a lot of realism of what would happen if the world were coming to an end and how people would act.

The movie stars Steve Carell (The 40-year-old Virgin, The Office), and Keira Knightley (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Pride & Prejudice). As well as there are a lot of other cameos from other well known actors, but it's not really a star filled movie.

The plot is that an asteroid is heading towards Earth and everything that we have tried to do to stop it has failed. So in the last remaining 3 weeks of mankind, people are either rioting, going to be with their love ones, or trying to find shelter. Dodge (Steve Carell) has been left by his wife, and Penny (Keira Knightley) missed the last plane ever that was going to take her to see her family. Once these two characters meet, they end up traveling together. Dodge is looking to find his one true love that got away, as Penny is trying to get to her parents house. From there on multiple stops along the way add to the hilarity as well as having some touching moments that really bring these two characters together and develops the relationship.

I really did enjoy this film for what it was. The script was well written and really had me laughing at the comedic parts. Steve Carell again proves he is a great actor and delivers another well done performance, while Keira Knightley does well at her role, but some of her acting wasn't that believable. I recommend seeing this movie to have a good time as well as seeing an accurate depiction of what people would do if the world was going to end and we all knew about it.

Rating: 6/10

Thank you for reading my review, any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Rock of Ages (2012)

Rock meter not full!

[6/10 · 16 June 2012]

Just a small town girl, and just a city boy meet up and go for their dreams. When I first heard that this movie was being made I said to myself "Yes, finally a musical with all my favorite 80's songs in it" and thats one thing this movie did right. The songs were great, and the actors performed every 80's hit well. I can honestly say that every person who sang in the film was great.

This movie stars Julianne Hough (Burlesque, Footloose), Diego Boneta (Mean Girls 2, Pretty Little Liars), Tom Cruise (Top Gun, Minority Report), Alec Baldwin (The Departed, Beetlejuice), Russell Brand (Get Him to the Greek, Arthur), Bryan Cranston (Drive, Breaking Bad), Catherine Zeta- Jones (Chicago, The Terminal), Paul Giamatti (Saving Private Ryan, Sideways), Will Forte (That's My Boy, Saturday Night Live), Eli Roth (Inglourious Basterds, Piranha), and Mary J. Blige (Prison Song, I Can Do Bad All By Myself).

The plot is that Sherrie (Julianne Hough) travels to Hollywood to make it big and ends up running into Drew (Diego Boneta) who helps her get a job were he works through Dennis (Alec Baldwin). The place they work at host big rock and roll shows. Stacee Jaxx (Tom Cruise) is set to play there as his career is not looking so good. Patricia (Catherine Zeta-Jones), the Mayor's wife, is trying to stop the rock and roll scene.

The movie was defiantly fun to watch and the music really gets you into the thrill of the film. The only thing that brought the movie down was how cheesy it was at some points and how everyone can just randomly bust out singing then go back to reality like nothing happened, I know that happens in a lot of musicals, but still I like it to be more realistic in a sense, if you understand what I mean. If you like 80's music and love musicals, then you will really enjoy this film.

Rating: 6.5/10

Thank you for reading, any feedback is much appreciated.

That's My Boy (2012)

Forget Jack and Jill!

[6/10 · 15 June 2012]

I just want to start off by saying this is no Jack and Jill, which is very, very good news. Finally Adam Sandler is back on track with his comedy, and this time he is raunchier then ever. I knew that this film was going to be a lot better then people expected because the trailer was really funny, and I liked the idea for the story. You can probably already tell how this review is going to go.

The movie star Adam Sandler (Happy Gilmore, Billy Madison), Andy Samberg (Hot Rod, Saturday Night Live), Leighton Meester (Date Night, Going the Distance), Vanilla Ice (Rapper), James Caan (The Godfather, Las Vegas), Milo Ventimiglia (Rocky Balboa, Heros), Will Forte (Saturday Night Live, MacGruner), and Nick Swardson (Grandma's Boy, Just Go With It).

The story goes that when Donny (Adam Sandler) was in Junior High, he had sex with his teacher and ended up getting her pregnant. Through these actions Donny get publicity and becomes somewhat famous of the whole ordeal. He took care of his son Todd (Andy Samberg) until he becomes 18 and leaves Donny and wants nothing to do with him. A long while later Donny owes $43,000 in unpaid taxes and he can't afford them. In an effort to earn the money he tries to reconnect with his son and actually be a better dad.

I can honestly say that this is definitely one of Adam Sandler's better films. From start to finish I was laughing my ass off and at even some parts I was crying from how hard I was laughing. Even though at some points the voice Adam Sandler was doing in the film was annoying, I easily got over that. The jokes either consisted of really funny and well thought out jokes or just stupid funny jokes. The situations that they got into in this film also really helped out with the hilarity factor. The film had its stupid parts, but they weren't too bad to where you just roll your eyes.

I think that Adam Sandler is still a very funny person and if he continues to make movies like this one, then he will still have a career in making movies. The movie is filled with many cameos that are absolutely hilarious and placed in the film well. If you are looking for a good time and want to laugh your ass off, then "That's My Boy" is what you are looking for.

Rating: 8/10

Thank you for reading my review, any feedback is appreciated.

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012)

Best one yet!

[7/10 · 9 June 2012]

Alex, Marty, Gloria, and Melman and the rest of their gang return in the third installment of the "Madagascar" series, and yes they are still trying to get back home to New York City. This film has them traveling with a group of circus animals all throughout Europe on the run from a French animal hunter who has killed every animal and has mounted their head on her wall, except for a lion.

This movie stars the voice talents of Ben Stiller (Tower Heist, Tropic Thunder), Chris Rock (Grown ups, The Longest Yard), David Schwimmer (Friends, John Carter), Jada Pinkett Smith (Ali, Collateral), Sasha Baron Cohen (Borat, Bruno), Cedric the Entertainer (Larry Crowne, Ice Age), and Bryan Cranston (Drive, Breaking Bad). Everyone did a great job with their characters and it was a blast to hear all these familiar voices in a film together again.

I have been a fan of the previous "Madagascar" films, and that still is the case, but I really didn't have any hype for this movie because from the trailers, it didn't really look that good. I am glad to say that it is the complete opposite of that. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed film from start to finish and thought that for certain audiences, the film is perfect. If you are a younger person (12 and under) the movie will entertain and make you laugh the entire time. Now for the other demographic (13 and up), the film is still a really fun experience having jokes that adults would get, as well as some really funny situations.

The "Madagascar" series has been known to be over the top, but "Madagascar 3″ takes the cake for being the most over the top one yet. You can not simply go into this movie expecting a toned down film featuring animals that can talk and doing anything that humans can. You have to go into this film with an open mind and just enjoy the ride. I found myself laughing constantly throughout the film and I couldn't help but have a smile on my face the entire time. This movie made me feel like I was a kid again and that is one of the best feelings there is.

This is easily the best movie in the series in my opinion. What really blew me away though was something that wasn't crucial to the movie, and that was the 3D. This is probably some of the best 3D I have seen in a film. I was sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going to pop out next. If you see this film, please do yourself a favor and see the 3D version of it, you will not be disappointed. I highly recommend this film to all ages. Whether you are a kid or an adult, you will find enjoyment in this film.

Rating 7.5/10

Prometheus (I) (2012)

Simply put, amazing!

[10/10 · 9 June 2012]

The long awaited movie "Prometheus", directed by Ridley Scott, has finally hit theaters and I couldn't be happier. This is a film that I have been waiting for sense it was announced and to see it finally done and ready for the eyes of the public just fills me up with so much joy. I love Ridley Scott's "Alien" and thought it was such a well done and beautifully directed movie. Did "Prometheus" capture that same Ridley Scott feel? Why yes, yes it did.

Let me start off by saying this is not, in terms, a prequel to the original "Alien" film from 1979, its more of an origin story taking place within the same "Alien" universe. I can laterally sit and talk for hours about how I can connect "Prometheus" and "Alien" together. I have thoughts and theories of how the story, characters, evolution, and more can connect and make sense, but I will not go into that because I don't want to bore you for hours on end.

The story in "Prometheus" is that a group of explorers set out to find the origins of mankind which takes them to a far away galaxy to search the only planet (which is just a moon to a bigger planet) that can sustain live forms on it. While the explorers are there, they discover major secrets, and huge discoveries that may just be looking bad for the human race. Personally, I thought that the story was awesome and it brought a lot of back story or added story to the lore of the so called "Alien" universe. I didn't find any weak points in the story, and I felt it was a tense, suspense, and flat out entertaining thrill ride.

The movie stars Noomi Rapace (The Girl with the Dragon tattoo, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows), Logan Marshall-Green (Devil, Brooklyn's Finest), Michael Fassbender (Inglorious Bastards, X-Men: First Class), Charlize Theron (Hancock, Snow White and the Huntsman), Idris Elba (Thor, Takers), and Guy Pearce (Memento, The Hurt Locker). While all the performances given in the film were solid and believable, four stuck out the most.

Fourth, Charlize Theron again just kills her role as a more evil/mean type character and just gives off a cold, but powerful, performance. Third, Idris Elba just knows how to deliver a believable, really human like, role by not feeling like he is forced to read lines, but make it sound like a normal, everyday, human conversation. Second, Noomi Rapace really showed me, in this film, that she can really act and be a really awesome lead role/heroine type character. First, Michael Fassbender delivers probably one of the best acting jobs I have seen in a very long time. He plays an android/robot character, built to look like a regular human, except he doesn't really show emotion, and he is exceptionally talented in almost anything. Seriously, Michael Fassbender deserves the award for best actor in every award show there is.

I went to see the movie twice in IMAX 3D on the same day (opening day) if that says anything. The IMAX experience for this film is incredible, with the sound cranked all the way up and the picture quality looking to good to be true. Now the 3D was actually really well done. It didn't have to many things flying out of the screen (except for the storm scene), but the depth in this movie is so well done and looked so good compared to some other movies who just had lazily done depth just to make a movie in 3D and earn a few extra dollars. I recommend seeing the IMAX 3D version of "Prometheus" in theaters.

I really do love this film and I like all of the story elements that it adds to the "Aliens" universe. Also, the use of practical and CGI effects blended so well together, that everything looked so real and I felt that the set was a real place and not just a staged/built set. If I could, I would go on and on about everything I liked about this film, but I don't want to spoil anything. In my opinion the movie is fantastic and its a must see.

Rating: 10/10