Puss 'n' Boots - not Shrek or an equivolent.

 
Watch the attached trailer and skip the movie.  Unless you are taking the kids, you won't get your money's worth.  This is merely a kids' film.

The adult humor is abundant in the trailers, but there is little body to the film.  I was hooked with the trailer, and was sitting in the theatre waiting for the humor to hit me and the laughter to ensue, it didn't arrive.  The audience was left fairly empty handed and only the kids were smiling.

Save the money, watch the trailer above, and see if Pixar can entertain us with their next animated film "Brave".  Until then, Antonio Banderas (who is clearly apparent in the Puss character) and the rest of the voices will pull 2 out of 5 Cyclones.

-Cyclone Critic.

Paranormal Activity 3 - far too normal

It should be unethical for critics to write reviews on movies such as this, Scream, and Final Destination.  Why? because they do not require or need a review.  They are merely to be appreciated by those who wish to see these types of horror/comedy films.

Paranormal was hyped by the studio as "going to be better than the first, and sorry about number two..." and it didn't even live up to that expectation.  More of the same jumping and eerie feelings as you sit through another few hours of subpar drama.  The movie was more fun than scary, but those who enjoy the genre will enjoy the film.

Not fair to review, but always fair enough to give the standard 'yeah, this is the same movie as before' staple.  2 out of 5 Cyclones for falling short of the studio hype and viewers expectations.

-Cyclone's Critic

Margin Call, was marginal

This film carried the enthusiasm and excitement of Moneyball and Ides of March.

It was a drama focusing on the the Lehman Brothers and real estate meltdown.  There are big name actors in this film, and they do a fantastic job as in Moneyball and Ides of March, but the writing and screenplay are quite mediocre and subdued.

If you know noting about what has happened in financial markets in the past decade, then watching this will be like showing the Nuremberg trials to a teenager, good luck appreciating it.  Don't expect much to remain in your brain when you leave the theatre, but take from it some quality acting, and a story that has changed this country as we know it.

Margin Call will pull 3 out of 5 Cyclones for mediocrity across the board, but a needed film with meaningful actors.

-Cyclone Critic

The Way - I'm actually glad they found a way to bring us this screening

Charlie Sheen and Emilio Esteves are trying their hardest to get this movie onto the big screen.  After over a year of searching, they have finally done it.  They want us to encourage you to go see it.  If you enjoy a quality drama with some humor and the people/lands of France and Spain, then please do accept their invite and go see it, otherwise take my invite and sit back for the show.

There is a good story, meaning, and messages in the movie.  "The Way" is about a father who gets a phone call his son has died on day one of "el camino" de Santiago also known as "the walk".  Charlie Sheen, is the dad and has the life of a doctor, where his son (in real life and on camera) Emilio Esteves, is more of the laissez-faire type.  The son to father key quote was "You don't choose a life dad, you live one" and the drama begins.  This is where dad goes to finish son's journey on the lengthy walk.  He meets some characters along the way from Ireland, Holland, and Canada.  Of course they mimic "Friends" and make the story work. 

Now the soundtrack including tracks from Alanis Morisette, Coldplay, and the other standard cliche tracks actually end up working well.  The movie is over two hours long, so get the large beverage and popcorn and make sure to grab an isle seat for the potty break.  Given this is an awkward time of year for movies, this one is ahead of the pack, but not going to pull in any awards.  I am a sucker for small run films and the 'B' titles, so "The Way" will garner 4 out of 5 Cyclones.


-El Jefe

The Dead - freshly recreated.

This is a road picture filmed on location with zombies. The zombies were played by the local villagers (filmed in Africa.) For the type of picture it was good except that the look of the film was too "clean". It needed some scratches and other grindhouse effects throughout the movie to make it a real horror movie.


The actors (during the question and answer session) said that they only did one or two takes maximum. They had to invent ways to splatter blood after a gunshot to the body because traditional ways cost money. Everything had to be done with relatively new actors and production crew. They were creative in doing some of effects because of limitations of little money and being on location in Africa.

I was disappointed that I did not get movie tickets to the advanced screening of Toast, but after tonight's experience I am glad I saw this film as opposed to Toast. I had low expectations going into it and afterwards my analysis of the film is better than expected. Especially after learning more about it during a sit down with the leads and director.  It is not in the same league as Citizen Kane or The Godfather, but a fresh take on creativity. I still would give my whole experience and the film a 4 out of 5 Cyclones.

-El Jefe, with help, reviewing from San Jose

Ides of March

What a stellar line up -  we get Gosling, Giamatti, Clooney, Wright, Hoffman, and others to make this movie work. But is almost doesn't.

Ides of March is a DRAMA, nothing more. It focuses on the Democratic Presidential Primary. The parties involved play this one out like a soap opera.  They cut each other down, they lie, they finesse, they commit adultery, and they battle everything out - dramatically.

Many critics and viewers were sleeping.  The Republicans in the audience were awake and engaged.  Those who enjoy a drama were totally into it.  Families in attendance were a bit thrown off by the abundance of unnecessary profanity which detracted from the overall enjoyment of the film.

Go in looking for a drama, come out happy.  Go in expecting a performance from all the lead actors, come away unhappy.  Gosling did very well, but with all the whisper about Academy nods, I am not holding my breath.  Truly a bit disappointing from what this could have been.  Similar to Michael Clayton, Nixon, JFK etc.  Don't bring a date, they will probably not be pleased by your choice of film.  No real need to bring a brain either.  Everything is laid out in due time and it is easy to follow. Even the ending is null and void.  2 out of 5 Cyclones for pure drama and lack of much else.

-El Jefe

Real Steel

"Real Steel" is about fighting robots. There is not much real violence, just animated robot violence as in "Transformers".  To take from another viewer over some brainstorming " Love the robot cage fighting, the character development was sufficient and the ending was as expected, a heartwarming aww moment. Slightly reminiscent of Iron Giant and Astro Boy, a salvaged sparring bot incidentally named Atom becomes a star fighter thanks to a kid's confidence, persistence, and determination to succeed. I'd definitely recommend seeing it. Would have loved it in 3D"

The movie targets the 6th to 8th grade segment of the viewers and misses the "Warrior" and "Fighter" crowds....it goes for the younger audience.  Hugh Jackman was excellent in his role, and the movie flowed quite well. Without much to complain about, "Real Steel" will pull 4 out of 5 Cyclones.

-El Jefe

50/50 = 100%

Yes, a truly pleasant and refreshing surprise to the standard summer films we have been watching.  “50/50” hits some emotional and dramatic nerves.  Only one person got up during the film to get food (me) while the rest of the theatre was fully engulfed in tears and laughter throughout “50/50.”

I can finally say thanks to Seth Rogen for his performance in a movie.  Gordon-Levitt and the cast delivered quite well in 50/50.  Some humor mixed with tears and family bonding in a movie is a great recipe.  There is a bit of objectification of women and some impersonal medical professionals depicted in “50/50” but they add to the drama and attempt to propel the story.  The movie is predictable (except for the major question!) yet we shouldn’t really care as we watch. 

If you enjoyed “The Music Never Stopped”, “Life as a House”, or “A Walk To Remember”, then settle in and enjoy “50/50.”  If you enjoy ER or something else to glorify doctors and hospitals, then sit and watch General Hospital reruns instead.  If it wasn’t for the profanity, this would be valuable to viewers of all ages.  “50/50” will still pull 5 out of 5 Cyclones. 

-CycloneMovies.com Critic

Machine Gun Preacher

Gerard Butler is soooooo muted in his roles as he successfully portrays a criminal, he fails to be a preacher.  The movie is based on a true story of a born-again junky/inmate/abusive husband turned into a white preacher working with orphans in Sudan. 

Butler is not convincing. the movie drawls on for over two hours.  The ending is a bit terse in terms of the rest of the movie's flow, and we kind of get thrown for a loop as viewers. 

Unless you have a particular interests in the movie's subjects, I wouldn't recommend the $10 or the two hours to sit in the theatre to watch it, unless the popcorn there is delicious and they offer a refill.  Machine Gun Preacher misses the target audiences (all of them) and even fails to attract viewers with the deceptive posters depicting Butler with a machine gun in one hand and an orphan in the other.  2 out of 5 Cyclones.


-El Jefe

Dream House - You won't sleep through it, but you won't have nightmares either.

Can we say "Shutter Island", "The Others", or "13 Ghosts"?  Daniel Craig is a family man and does it well.  He has secured his ability to play a wider range of roles as a lead actor.

The movie does not bring anything new or ingenious to the field, but the story is consistent and flows.  If you liked the aforementioned films, then stand in the short post-summer movie line for a ticket (at matinee price) and enjoy.  Not one to miss work for, more just a back up film to sit through if your parents or friends are late to pick you up from seeing another movie at the theatre.  Make sense?

There are enough interesting twists to make the movie enjoyable.  It is relatively predictable, and some of the ends are not tied up, but they don't necessarily need to be.  For a 10 pm screening on a Thursday before the Friday release of the film, and no press welcomed to the screening, I will gift "Dream House" 3 out of 5 Cyclones.

-El Jefe

Footloose Cutloose

Not better than the original, but still has the pretty boy, the bible, and the small town antics.  The dancing doesn't sell the movie, unfortunately. 

The big city boy comes to the small town and is surprised to hear the town doesn't allow dancing and music and assembly of youngsters following the death of a prominent family's son years earlier.

The movie is a feel good film, with some dramatic and unrealistic scenes, and mediocre at best dancing.  Good for those who enjoy Glee and that genre.  Without much to focus on, Footloose will pull 2 out of 5 Cyclones.

-El Jefe