Clip of the Week #5: The Most Annoying Sound Ever - Dumb and Dumber

This clip speaks for itself.  Check it out:

or go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4AmLcBLZWY

Follow Movie Cycler for more clips!

Clip of the Week #4: Best Display of Acting, Will Smith - The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

This clip is with out a doubt one of the best displays of acting in this clip featuring Will Smith.  Check it out:

or go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmerFuzRNZ4

Someone really needs to stop cutting all those onions in here!!!

List: Top Ten Favorite Horror Movies

The Best Horror Movies

I have watched a solid amount of horror movies.  Many of them have been bad (in some cases terrible), but some were extremely well done and an adrenaline rush to watch.

Here is my list of the top ten best horror/scary movies that I have seen:


10.  Insidious (2010)

This movie was very scary for the most part.  The beginning half was definitely the best part, and it becomes a little silly towards the end.  Still an awesome movie though.

9. Zombieland (2009)

This movie is more of a comedy than a horror movie.  It is extremely funny and has some great action sequences.  There is violence, but it is hard to take seriously with the humor mixed in.

8. Psycho (1960)

This movie is a classic.  Hitchcock crafted one of the best horror movies of all time.  This movie is a must see for everyone, even if you are not a fan of the horror genre.

7. Alien (1979)

This movie was extremely well done, and very original.  The monster in this movie is flat out terrifying and it includes some fantastic acting and some very tense moments.

6. The Thing (1982)

This film was a major surprise for me.  I was not expecting it to be this good.  During the entire movie, there is this sense of suspicion and distrust as each character attempts to figure who is human, and who is a monster.  I don't want to give too much away, but check this movie out.

5. The Exorcist (1973)

One of the earliest and scariest horror movies of all time.  This movie is a master piece.  I was terrified the entire time, and it contains some of the most memorable horror scenes in the genre's history.

4. The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

Another comedy type horror movie.  Some people may disagree with me on this one, but I absolutely loved this movie.  It was incredibly original, and the plot twists compiled with the complete absurdity made the film an instant favorite for me.

3. The Shining (1980)

This movie easily contains some of the best acting in history. It is easily worth watching just to see the spectacular performance by Jack Nicholson.  Everyone should see this film. Period.

2. Aliens (1986)

One of the most exciting, and well crafted movies of all time.  This movie conquered the sci-fi and horror genre by improving and outdoing the first film.  The intense action mixed with one of my favorite horror monsters made this film one of my all time favorites.

1. The Conjuring (2013)

I know that this movie came out very recently, and many people will disagree with me for putting this as my number one, but this horror film was just spectacular.  The reason I am giving it the top spot is simply because it scared me the most.


Thanks for checking out the list.  I am always looking for horror movie suggestions so I am all ears. Tell me your favorite scary movies!

Clip of the Week #3: Dwight's Perfect Crime - The Office

  The Office is one of my all time favorite shows! Check out this clip where Dwight tells what his perfect crime would be:

or go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOqFG86t9iA

Check in next week for another clip!

Netflix Recommendation: How I Met Your Mother

Here is my latest recommendation for Netflix Instant streaming:

   For the people who have not seen this show, you are truly missing out on one of the funniest shows on television.  It is actually coming up on its last season, so start a binge watching spree if you want to catch up.  The show has a great premise as the main character, Ted, retells the story to his kids of how he met their mother.  It is extremely funny, and Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris) is easily one of my favorite television characters of all time.  The entire cast is great, and each character is likable. This was actually the first show that I started watching on the streaming service, and it was definitely worth it. If you need a new show on Netflix, then look no further.  Just watch How I Met Your Mother!

Clip of the Week #2: Key and Peele - Weird Playlist

Check out this funny clip from the hilarious show Key and Peele! It is called Weird Playlist:

or go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMQ2qGmJOVM

Check in next week for another movie or tv show clip!

Must Watch Movie Trailers: The Counselor, Captain Phillips, and Insidious: Chapter 2

Here are some trailers worth watching for upcoming movies.

Check them out:

The Counselor

or go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4rTztvVx8E

Captain Phillips

or go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp6jpeDeQmE

Insidious: Chapter 2

or go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBbi4NeebAk

For more about movies, follow Movie Cycler on Google+.

Netflix Recommendation: The Cabin in the Woods

    This movie turned out to be one of the biggest surprises for me.  It is filled with interesting twists and ideas making it one of the most original horror movies of all time.  The films breathes fresh air into a genre that has turned stale over time.  Even though this movie is classified as horror, it never felt too scary.  Personally, the humor intertwined with the brutal events makes the movie feel more like a comedy than a horror film.  Plus, the movie is also just flat out fun to watch.  I highly recommend viewing it with a group of people.
 
   Overall, this movie is definitely worth checking out.  It was co-written by Joss Whedon and it stars some big name actors such as Chris Hemsworth.  Even if you do not like horror movies, you should still give this a try.


Thanks for reading and for more Netflix recommendations, follow my blog on Google+!

Movie Review: Kick-Ass 2

(movie review without spoilers)

  How to describe Kick-Ass 2? There is no simple way because so many descriptions come to mind: absurd, incredibly violent, hilarious, awesome, inappropriate, but for the most part, wildly entertaining. Kick-Ass is essentially a comic book movie on acid.  It's gore filled, but packed with laughs.  It starts up fast, and kicks into full throttle with sick jokes and entertaining fight scenes. The movie embraces the tone from the original and takes it to a whole new level.

   Picking up the story where the first one left off, we follow main characters Mindy (Hit Girl) and Dave (Kick-Ass) with their high school and super hero lives.  Hit Girl was easily the star of the movie for me. Her struggle to adjust to a normal life without the violence she grew up in served as one of the highlights for the movie. Which made me wonder why she was not given the role as the main character. Plus, she was a total bad ass in her fight scenes.  Which brings me to one of my complaints.  For the most part, I enjoyed Kick-Ass as a character, but his lack of fighting skills still makes him feel vastly weaker than his other super hero buddies like Hit Girl and Colonel Stars and Stripes (played by Jim Carrey).  Nonetheless, he was still an enjoyable protagonist.  Also, it would have been great if the director could have used less "shaky camera" for many of the action shots in the movie.

   I laughed throughout the entire movie.  Some parts where incredibly violent and overdone, but they did not hinder the film.  In comparison with the vast amount of critics who disliked this movie, I really had fun watching it.  To get the most out of this movie, do what I do and never take it too seriously. You will have a blast, and definitely laugh out loud.

Consensus:

   If you were a fan of the first movie, then you will definitely like the sequel.  For me, the original is still far superior in many ways.  Kick-Ass 2 is not for everyone.  Some people will despise it, while others will love it.   Personally, this film was ridiculous, but a blast to watch, so I give it a thumbs up.

 For fans of the first, see this movie in theaters.  If not,  check this movie out when it arrives on DVD.

Rating: 7.5 out 10

Check out the trailer:

Thanks for reading!  For more reviews, make sure to follow Movie Cycler on Google+!

Clip of the Week #1: Parks and Recreation - Ron Swanson on the Coffee Machine

Here is my first clip of the week from the hilarious show Parks and Recreation!  It's called Ron Swanson on the Coffee Machine.

Enjoy:

or go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSAC_44NOCg

Check in next week for another clip from a TV show or Movie!

Also, follow Movie Cycler on google+!  You won't regret it!

Netflix Recommendation: Warrior

Today, I have a recommendation for a must see movie on Netflix instant streaming! Check it out:

   I am not a fan of UFC and I never watch it, but I decided to give this movie a try based on a friend's recommendation.  To my surprise, it was amazing.  In fact, it is one of the best sports movies that I have ever seen.  It follows the stories of two brothers (played by Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton) who have their own struggles and difficulties as they both follow a passion for professional fighting.  The fantastically written script fills the movie with emotions and an excellent story.

  I highly recommend watching this movie.  Even if you do not like the sport, you can still enjoy the film.  If you do not have Netflix, rent this movie elsewhere.  You will not regret it.

List: Video Games that need to be turned into Movies

There are many video games that have fantastic story lines and original ideas.  While these games are always fun to play through on game consoles, I would love to see some of them turned into live action movies.

These videos games would have the potential to be awesome movies:

Assassin's Creed

   

  Great news because this awesome video game franchise is already being turned into a movie that is set to release June 19, 2015.  Plus, the movie has already lined up a fantastic actor to star, Michael Massbender.  For people who do not know anything about the games, the story line follows Desmond Miles and his ancestral assassins as he relives their memories.  

  As of now, five games in this franchise have been released.  Each game had beautiful settings such as Renaissance Italy, Rome, and even the Revolutionary War in the United States, so the film makers will have some great material to choose from when creating this movie.  As long as enough money is put into this film and they get a good director, I think it has a really good chance to be an excellent movie.

Bioshock

   Bioshock is one of the most critically acclaimed video games and for good reasons.  It has a great story and a magnificent setting.  The city of rapture is dark and scary, but also gorgeous at the same time.  

  Sadly, there is very little chance that this movie will ever happen.  It was actually in the early stage of production for the past few years but because of budget problems and failure to compromise, the movie was completely canceled.  

  

    However, with the success of the most recent video game in the franchise, Bioshock Infinite, it would be nice to reboot the movie with the new setting in mind.

Halo

   Everyone who has played Halo knows that a movie based on the video game would be incredible. Sadly, it doesn't look like this will happen in the near future.  The project was talked about in the past and Peter Jackson was hired to be the director.  Sadly, financial problems and disagreements brought the project to an end. However, there is a Halo life action television series coming soon.  Personally, I would still like to see Halo make it the big screen with Neill Blomkamp as the director.  Only the future will tell if this movie ever happens.  

Skyrim  

   Skyrim is easily one of the best games ever created.  Recreating the world for the big screen would be difficult and expensive.  It would also be a challenge to take a role playing game and convert it to a live action movie.  The game still has a great story with incredible setting filled with dragons and incredible biodiversity.  Creating the movie would not be an easy task, but it would be worth it.    

Uncharted

  I do not know a lot about the Uncharted franchise, but I can tell that the video games would translate to a great movie.  The game has great characters and each game in the franchise has received fantastic ratings.  The creator of the game is still looking to get Uncharted turned into a movie, but it doesn't look like it will happen in the near future.

Tetris

  Yes! A live action epic of the greatest puzzle video game of all time.  Sadly, this movie would demand a massive budget (probably 300 million or more) to recreate the incredible action sequences in the game.  Honestly, I have no idea why this movie has not happened yet.  If the tone of this paragraph seems sarcastic to you, well it is, but watch this parody trailer below to get an understanding of what a Tetris movie would be like.

or go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhwGEa7507g

trailer created by youtube channel: Warialasky

Well, those are all the video games that I would like to see turned into movies.  Tell me which ones you would like to see on the big screen!

Must Watch Movie Trailers: The Wolf of Wall Street, Bad Grandpa, and The Monuments Men

Check out the trailers for these upcoming movies.  They all look highly entertaining especially Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street.  The Monuments Men also has a fantastic cast which includes George Clooney, Matt Damon, and Bill Murray.

Check them out:

The Wolf of Wall Street

or go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iszwuX1AK6A


Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa

or go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MSrAwfagG4


The Monuments Men

or go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CreneTs7sGs


Give me your opinion.  Which of these movies look worthy of seeing in theaters?

Netflix Recommendation: Parks and Recreation

Since I use Netflix to watch many televisions shows and movies, I am deciding to post recommendations so that you can watch the very best that the instant streaming service has to offer.

    The television show that I am currently watching on Netflix and that I highly recommend is Parks and Recreation.  It is extremely funny and has a good premise that for the most part, never gets stale. In many aspects, the show feels very similar to The Office especially since both use a documentary style. However, The Office relies much more on awkward humor than in Parks and Recreation.

   Overall, this show is awesome and really funny.  If you have the time, check it out on Netflix or wherever else you can find it. If you are a fan of The Office, you will love this show.  It also has a fantastic cast filled with excellent comedians and actors.

Movie Review: Elysium

Review without spoilers:

      The key to enjoying this movie is to see it with low expectations.  The movie itself is not bad, but lacks many key elements to be great.  Director Neill Blomkamp forged a sci-fi masterpiece in his first movie District 9, but his second effort, Elysium, is a significant step back for him.  While the film is ambitious and includes impressive special effects, its weak script and plot made the film struggle throughout.  Set in the year 2154, Elysium is a massive man made world in space and serves as a home for the wealthy, while the rest of the humans live on rotting Earth.  After experiencing a serious injury, Max's (Matt Damon) only chance to live is to get to Elysium.

   Sadly, the plot is the worst part of the movie.  It feels rushed at many points, and it just was not original enough.  Plus, the protagonist was underdeveloped, and I found it hard to root for him in his quest due to the lack of emotional connection.  Luckily, the incorporation of awesome special effects and some cool action sequences saves the movie from falling into an abyss of bad movies.

Consensus:

   Elysium had the potential to be great.  Sadly, its plot and script holds it back from breaking any new boundaries in the sci-fi genre.  After watching it, I had mixed feelings, but overall it left a feeling of emptiness.   I do not regret seeing this movie, and there were many aspects of it that I enjoyed.  It is worth watching for the action along with the film's interesting take on society and the separation of social classes.   The film has a good cast, and a strong visual appeal so if you are a science fiction fan, check this movie out.

  This movie is definitely worth renting so I recommend waiting for it on DVD instead of seeing it in theaters.

Rating: 5.5 out 10

Check out the trailer:

Thanks for reading!

Must Watch Movie Trailers: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Don Jon, and The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug

Hello everyone, here are some movie trailers that I thought are worth checking out!  These movies are coming out later this year and they look pretty good.

Check them out!


The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

or go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMfOM5HdcaQ


Don Jon

or go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6615kYTpOSU


The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

or go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnaojlfdUbs


Tell me what you think! Which ones do you think are worth seeing in theaters?


written by Stephen Weber

Movie Review: The Wolverine

Review: The Wolverine
(without spoilers)

     The Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) is not a perfect movie, but definitely an enjoyable one.  After the poorly crafted X-men Origins: Wolverine, this installment is a major improvement for the character and a step in the right direction.  One of the coolest aspects of this movie was the setting of Japan.  It gave a more worldly feel to the character and a fresh look for the franchise.  Also, the action sequences were a major step up from its predecessor.  The CGI was definitely improved and the claws looked much better.  I enjoyed the pacing of the movie and its ability to incorporate these action sequences without feeling overwhelmed.  Overall, this movie has shown audiences why the Wolverine is one of Marvel's most ferocious heros. Plus, Hugh Jackman continues to thrive in this role, and hopefully he will continue to star in these movies in the future.

     One of the issues I had with this movie was the amount of characters.  Some of the characters, especially the villain called Viper, felt out of place and almost unnecessary.  However, the movie is still a significant improvement for the character and the best Wolverine movie yet.

Consensus:

      The Wolverine was a good movie.  However, there were some parts of the movie that were disappointing such as a few of the characters and parts of the plot.  Despite my complaints, the movie at many points is straight up awesome and you should definitely check it out.

I recommend to see this film in theaters if you are a super hero movie fan.  If not, definitely check it out when it arrives on DVD.

Rating: 7.5 out 10


Check out the trailer:

Written by Stephen Weber




 

Movie Review: The Conjuring

Review: The Conjuring
(without spoilers)

Brace Yourselves...

    The Conjuring is smart, fast, fun, and flat out scary!  This film is, without a doubt, a gem in a genre filled with mediocrity.  It builds off of an engaging story of one of the many paranormal cases investigated by Ed and Lorraine Warren.  After the Perron family moves into their new house, they begin to experience paranormal events, and it becomes clear that neither the house nor their family is safe. Stricken with terror, the family is forced to recruit the Warrens to help with the situation.  While this plot may sound similar to other horror movies in the past, it still feels fresh because it is extremely well crafted and delivers on some adrenaline-filled, old school scares.
     Personally, this was one of the best horror movies that I have ever seen.  I am relatively new to the genre overall, but this movie has definitely piqued my interest.  One of my favorite aspects was that this movie did not utilize gore, sex, or violence to move the story forward or scare people.  The movie was able to generate fear through the use of suspense, surprises, and good directing.  In fact, the movie was filmed and edited in hopes to be PG-13; however, after being reviewed, it was slapped with an R rating because it was just incredibly terrifying.

    The cast and directing, overall, did a fantastic job creating this film.   Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga were perfect as Ed and Lorraine Warren.  They are both very talented actors and I look forward to seeing more of their work.  The entire cast of the Perron family also did a great job.  I also take my hat off to Director James Wan for restoring my faith in horror movies.  He is easily one of the best horror movie directors in the business right now, and I believe that he has only scratched the surface of his potential.  I eagerly await his upcoming projects including Insidious: Chapter 2 and Fast and Furious 7.

Consensus:
 
     The Conjuring is definitely worth seeing for any one who enjoys horror movies.  Especially since it claims to be based on a true story, which makes it even scarier.  I highly recommend it, and I look forward to watching it again when it comes out on DVD.

I consider this movie to be theater worthy, but waiting for DVD is just fine.

Rating:  9 out 10


Check out the trailer:

Written by Stephen Weber


Image sources:
http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/the-conjuring-scares-up-viewers-while-r-i-p-d-scares-universal.html/?a=viewall
http://comicbook.com/blog/2013/07/12/the-conjuring-can-a-movie-be-too-scary/
http://www.jaredmobarak.com/2013/07/26/the-conjuring/