The Interview (2014)

If the North Korean Sony hack was just a marketing ploy on the part of the company, as some have suggested, than it was a brilliant one, because this movie was not worth any commotion. It may have a pretty risky premise, involving the assassination of North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-un, but nothing that happens in the story is anything above silly, sophomoric hijinks resulting in a violent third act that misses the mark completely. James Franco puts in a somewhat earnest performance as a TV show host who Jong-un is a superfan of, and Seth Rogen, as Aaron, his producer and best friend, plays Seth Rogen (again). The two just ad lib their ways through a film that is mediocrity parading as political satire, but never really finds the appropriate rhythm to be effective as one. A couple of good belly laughs, and a wonderful performance by Randall Park, playing Kim Jong-un, keep this from being an absolute bore. Feel free to skip this movie. Despite how you feel about freedom.

Grade: C
3D: N/A
Easter Egg: Yes. And it was my favorite part of the movie.

Starring: James Franco, Seth Rogen, Randall Park
Director: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg
Writer(s): Dan Sterling (also story with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg)
RT: 112 min
Rating: R for pervasive language, crude and sexual humor, nudity, some drug use and bloody violence

Two Scentences:

Annie (2014): This updated version is oddly charming in some ways, but deeply flawed in so many others: some actors can't sing, some of the new songs are boring, and the way they use the old songs feel like they're just throwing them away. Quvenzhane Wallis does manage to carry the film just fine, and makes her character very relatable.

Grade: B-

The Pyramid (2014)

I thought after "Willow Creek" that maybe my dislike for found footage films had finally subsided, and maybe someone had shown the world that they don't have to suck. I was proved so, so wrong. So wrong. "The Pyramid" starts with text explaining that the film is all footage found at the site, only to give up on the found angle half way through the film, and added more than the two established cameras. While taking a more traditional approach to the horror genre, it still spliced in the found footage. WHY?! The plot falls apart as soon as the characters get into the catacombs of the pyramid, and dialogue always feels like it was slapped together from a book of cliches that the writers found in a public library. The performances never feel involved, and most of the actors just seem bored. However, it never feels like it's bad enough to please the fan of the worst horror films in existence. This is just a forgettable dud.

Grade: D-
3D: N/A
Easter Egg: No

Starring: Ashley Hinshaw, James Buckley, Denis O'Hare

Diretor: Gregory Levasseur

Writer(s): Daniel Meersand and Nick Simon

RT: 89 min

Rating: R for some horror violence and bloody images

Two Sentences:

Are You Here (2014):  This is a very lukewarm dramedy that involves a lot of very talented people. There isn't much that is actually funny about it, and Owen Wilson is extremely unlikeable as the movie's lead.

Grade: C

The Theory of Everything (2014)

The very problem with trying to shove an entire life of such an accomplished person, is that filmmakers tend to focus on the most dramatic moments, and the audience doesn't often get something that feels like reality. Thus we end up with soap opera versions of well-known figures. James Marsh does very little with "The Theory of Everything" that hasn't been done in every biopic since the beginning of film: over-dramatic love triangles, blood coughed into handkerchiefs, sappy music, bad old age make-up. The writing is bland, and the pacing is so achingly slow. In fact, the only thing really worth taking from this film is the phenomenal performance of Eddie Redmayne, who embodies Stephan Hawking so well, some people may mistake his performance for the rest of the film. This is such a sadly underwhelming tale, and it only ever amounts to a retread of a retread.

Grade: D+

3D: N/A

Easter Egg: No

Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, David Thewlis

Director: James Marsh

Writer(s): Anthony McCarten - Book: Jane Hawking

RT: 123 min

Rating: PG-13 for some thematic elements and suggestive material

Penguins of Madagascar (2014)

After three "Madagascar" films, and having their own show on Nickelodeon (which I will admit I haven't seen), the four super spy Penguins have received their very own silver screen feature. Thankfully, it was pretty fantastic. It starts with an origin of sorts, and picks up in the middle of "Madagascar 3", where we find our polar protagonists planning a heist on Fort Knox. From there we meet a host of new characters including Dave (Darren?) the super villain octopus, who was constantly passed over in zoos for penguins, and the North Wind spy team, who are sent to help animals in trouble (Wonder Pets?), and constantly end up in our heroes' way.

The Penguins were always the best part of the "Madagascar" series, so it isn't any wonder that they have continuously risen in popularity. The writing is better than any of the previous films, and they top the laughs from scene to scene with increasing absurdity, and crisp humor that are often surprising. A particular running joke involving Nicholas Cage comes to mind. There are a lot of jokes that flop, but the fact that they land a lot more than fail is impressive. John Malkovich is especially wonderful as Dave, and Benedict Cumberbatch (who is in everything this year) lends a wonderful straight man quality to Classified, the leader of the north wind, but they never distract from the main four, who carry the film wonderfully. Oh, and a Werner Herzog cameo never hurt anybody either!

Grade: B
3D: Not necessary
Easter Egg: Early credits sequence.

Starring: Tom McGrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights
Director: Eric Darnell and Simon J. Smith
Writer(s): John Aboud, Michael Colton, Bradon Sawyer
RT: 92 min
Rating: PG for mild action and some rude humor

Two Sentences:

To Be Takei: Jennifer M. Kroot documents her subject, Asian-American actor, and gay icon, George Takei, with great respect, and complete depth. Never does the film fell like hero worship, though it delves into the topic, but instead she allows those who know him best to discuss the flaws that they love him in spite of, or because of.

Grade: B+

Horrible Bosses 2: I am almost ashamed at how much I laughed at this movie (almost), because it doesn't tend to be very smart, and it retreads a lot of the same jokes that the first covered. Nonetheless, there is a lot of energy, and the cast seems to be having a lot of fun in spite of some of the stupid situations they have been put in by the writers.

Grade: B-

White Bird in a Blizzard: There are some really strong performances in this film: Shailene Woodley as a young girl dealing with the disappearance of her mother, Eva Green as her mother, slowly losing her mind, and Christopher Meloni as her spineless father coping with his own crippling loneliness. That aside, some of the dialogue is poor, and the characters are unlikeable, and yet, it somehow remains intriguing long after you think you found out what has actually happened.

Grade: C+

Whiplash (2014)

Never, ever, have I felt so short of breath during a drama the way I did during Damien Chazelle's "Whiplash". The pacing reminded me more of a taught political thriller than any teacher drama. J.K. Simmons plays a jazz ensemble conductor at a prestigious music conservatory, who has some questionable methods of trying to get the best of his student: screaming horrific insults and hurling chairs to name a few. He is frightening in this roll, and you laugh uncomfortably at many of his racial and homophobic slurs, because you so engrossed by him, that looking away is never an option.

Miles Teller is the new student that he picks apart for being a tad off-beat on the drums. This is Teller's breakout role. His character is socially inept, and relies on his passion for drumming, and his quest for greatness, to be his closest companion. The editing, by Tom Cross, is quick and vibrant, especially during the scenes directly involving the music performances. Sharone Meir's cinematography captures the mood in every way; adding a constant unease, and never letting you flinch when it gets a little too shocking. Writer/director Chazelle has achieved something spectacular with this film. Hopefully, this isn't the last time we hear his name.

Grade: A
3D: N/A
Easter Egg: No

Starring: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Paul Reiser
Director: Damien Chazelle
Writer(s): Damien Chazelle
RT: 107 min
Rating: R for strong language including some sexual references

Two Sentences:

Dracula Untold (2014): Why does Hollywood continue to think that audiences want to see whiny, misguided retellings of the origins of long beloved literary characters? If the story wasn't bad enough, the dialogue, ham-fisted acting, and poor cinematography certainly didn't help.

Grade: D-

Bad Turn Worse (2013): This isn't necessarily the finest crime drama of the year, but it was well written, finely shot, and stocked with a few wonderful performances. Watching these three long-time friends try to navigate the criminal underworld is both frightening and exhilarating enough to keep interest throughout its brisk run time.

Grade: B+

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)

Fly Like an Eagle

There is so much to love about Alejandro González Iñárritu's "Birdman", that is impossible for me to remember all of them after only one viewing. In fact, I'm sure after repeated viewings, I could find more things to love. The most obvious things might be the best start with. With the help of the man who can only be described as the best living cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezki, the camera glides scene to scene almost effortlessly in one seemingly long take, with great thanks to Douglas Crise and Stephen Mirrione's perfect editing. The drum heavy score by Antonio Sanchez is driving, sparse, and beautifully effective.

Iñárritu has allowed Michael Keaton to explore, with great fervor, what can possibly be explained as the most interesting character of his career. Riggan Thompson just happens to have a lot in common with Keaton (much like Mickey Rourke in "The Wrestler"). Watching him spiral into madness is tragically wonderful, and the understated performance is elegant and madcap in one fell swoop. The rest of this near-perfect ensemble, including Naomi Watts as an insecure actress on Broadway for the first time, Edward Norton playing a method actor with social behavior issues, and Emma Stone as Riggan's daughter/personal assistant who has just finished a stint in rehab, get so much to play with. Watching them have fun with this script makes everything about this film feel genuine from the ground up. This is certainly not a film to miss. It is awesome.

Grade: A-
3D: N/A
Easter Egg: No

Starring: Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Edward Norton
Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Writer(s): Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, and Armando Bo
RT: 119 min
Rating: R for language throughout, some sexual content and brief violence

Two Sentences:

The Babadook (2014): This was the freakiest horror film that has been released all year, without exception. Writer/director Jennifer Kent hasn't made the most original piece, but she fills it with enough dread, menace, and Babadook to keep the audiences scooting further to the edge of their seat until the very last frame.

Grade: A-

What If (2013): Daniel Radcliffe is beginning to have a very good post-Potter phase of off-beat films that are, in different ways, very quirky and eccentric. "What If" is a romantic comedy that is refreshingly charming, and filled with great performances from the central cast that compliment the string of jokes that make up the script, instead of hindering it.

Grade: B+

Dumb and Dumber To (2014)

"Dumb and Dumber To" is the "Godfather Part III" of comedy. It came from a well-loved film made twenty years prior, and it failed to live up to even the least of the expectations surrounding it. This movie is completely awful. Jokes are thrown about at rapid speeds, and hardly a one of them lands with the slightest amusement. Gags from the first movie are copied or tweaked, and not a single one brings any laughs. The level of stupid the title characters seems to have been ratcheted up by such an astounding amount, that it makes it impossible to think of these two as worthy protagonists in any form. The performances range from grating to middling, and never quite get above that range. Did I mention that this film is simply awful? Awful!

Grade: F
3D: N/A
Easter Egg: Yes.

Starring: Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Rob Riggle
Director: Bobby & Peter Farrelly
Writer(s): 6 Writing Credits
RT: 110 min
Rating: PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, partial nudity, language and some drug references

Two Sentences:

Ouija (2014): A weak concept, bad acting, and and a group of weakly written central characters make this horror film a complete drag to watch. The conclusion brings a silly twist that doesn't feel genuine or interesting.

Grade: D-

Annabelle (2014):

At no point does the eponymous killer doll ever feel like a real threat, and I think that is the underlying problem with this thrill-less horror film. Despite the failures of the script, a couple of decent performances help bring this up from an unsalvageable mess of a movie.

Grade: D

Jessabelle (2014)

Some half decent scares, and an intriguing concept, give way to run-of-the-mill plotting, and some half-baked twists and turns. Sarah Snook carries the story as well as she could, and should be a welcome addition to a new crop of young actresses.

Grade: C+