Movie review | Page 14 of 23

Planes: Fire and Rescue-better than the first one

Planes is the kind of direct to DVD workhorse that most studios would love to have. In this case, as in the first Planes, it goes to theaters for a week or two and will be out on DVD in two months. It’s not a slam to say direct to DVD. However, it’s not at the same Frozen level of quality that families expect from the brand. Disney will make about 200 million in theaters and push it out on DVD. With all this in mind, Planes: Fire and Rescue is better than the first movie and has some genuine laughs in it.

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Dawn of the Planet of the Apes review: A+

I don’t really do grades on reviews, but in coming up with a title for the Dawn of the Planet of the Apes review it is necessary. The movie is not what I expected and my expectations were very high, but after thinking about it Dawn of the Planet of the Apes exceeded them on every level. In the end, the movie has as much, if not more in common with combat/war movies than the science fiction that you might expect from the title.

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Slugterra: Ghoul From Beyond-new on DVD

Slugterra is weird. That’s what I thought when I read the premise. A 15 year old yearns for his father to take him to Slugterra where he can become The Shane, protector of the underworld. To be clear, that’s the underground world, not the underworld where zombies live. However, when his father goes missing Eli goes to Slugterra to protect it. Slugterra: Ghoul From Beyond picks up after Eli has defeated a major bad guy, but things aren’t going so well.

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How to Train your Dragon 2 review: good and not what‘s expected

How to Train your Dragon 2 is the sequel to the 2010 hit about training dragons. That movie was one of the ones that slipped under our radar in that we never saw it. However now our oldest really enjoys going to the movies and can handle a bit more action. A dragon movie is in order and while How to Train your Dragon 2 did scare him a bit; he had nothing but great things to say about it afterwards.

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Godzilla is entertaining fun that leaves you wanting more

You say monsters and some people, a large, vocal portion of them will scream Godzilla. Having lived in Japan for a couple years I saw some of the old school movies and enjoyed them, but never really understood the cult appeal that the character has. Hollywood as never really done a good Godzilla movie, until now. The latest take on Godzilla is the closest to being great yet. It is a very good, fun summer popcorn movie that audiences 8 and up will enjoy.

A scene from Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' sci-fi action adventure movie "GODZILLA," a Warner Bros. Pictures release. _Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures — A scene from Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ sci-fi action adventure movie “GODZILLA,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. _Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

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The Art of the Steal is a clever film that’s a fun rental

Kurt Russell is a man’s man. The goodwill that he’s built up since starring in Disney teen films to his hallmark films of Escape From New York and Big Trouble in Little China have always made him worth watching. The Art of the Steal is an ensemble crime movie that is better than you think it might be. It has shades of The Usual Suspects with Ocean’s 11, a bit of double cross and a deep cast that add up to a fun movie that’ll keep you entertained for most of its running time.

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The Raid 2 is a brutal, intense film that action/karate fans will enjoy

The Raid is one of the best action films ever. It’s intense, brutal and has some of the best hand to hand fighting that I’ve ever seen on film. The Raid 2: Berandal is 50 minutes longer, even more violent and has some really spectacular action sequences. Put against its older sister it’s not as good, however, put alongside most any other action movie it’s far superior. The Raid 2 is in no way appropriate for children; it’s dark, intense, bloody, realistic violence that is potentially disturbing.

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Angry Birds Toons-Season 1, Volume 2: review and giveaway

Taking the story of a video game to another medium is problematic. The material usually won’t stand up to the larger format or longer running time. With very few successes you can’t think of a video game that has successfully converted to another visual format other than games. Sure it may have sold some different toys, but video is a whole different ballgame. That is what is so surprising about Angry Birds Toons Season 1, Volume 2, it’s good. Actually it’s better than good, has our kids laughing out loud and is entertaining for adults too, here’s why.

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