January Movie Rankings!

# 5

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

This is the latest attempt by Hollywood to bring the beloved Tom Clancy character to the screen. The first try had Alec Baldwin in the critically acclaimed The Hunt for Red October. Baldwin was good but Sir Sean Connery stole the show and was actually nominated for a British Academy Award for best actor. That movie resulted in what amounted to a one shot instead of a franchise but a few years later Jack Ryan was back. This time they cast my favorite rebel/smuggler/archaeologist/treasure hunter/fugitive, Harrison Ford and he did not disappoint! Ben Afflick had a turn in 2002 and pretty much bombed, so I was excited to hear the new Captain Kirk was cast for a Jack Ryan reboot. Unfortunately Shadow Recruit was not much better than The Sum of All Fears. The plot was another "end of the world terrorist attack" and I never got any real sense of danger from the bad guys. They didn't spend much time on developing the characters here which left them feeling flat despite having some great actors like Pine and Costner together. Over all I believe this Jack Ryan will be left behind in the shadows.

# 4

Lone Survivor

The title already answers the question of how many survive in this movie. Of course since Mark Wahlberg is in it there is a ton of action leading up to everyone dying. The story is based on a Navy Seal reconnaissance mission during the war in Afghanistan and the book written by the...Lone Survivor himself.   It's hard to watch when the Seals are picked off one by one, but luckily the battle sequence lasts almost the whole movie. In the last five minutes of the movie the survivor is hidden from the Taliban by an Afghan villager and kept safe until the Americans can rescue him. Since most of the movie was taken up with the battle scene we never got to see the relationship between Luttrell and the villager even though that relationship was an important part of Luttrell surviving. It just felt like the real story was pushed to the back of the film to make way for all the gun fighting. I really enjoy stories of our soldiers serving our country and the amazing things they go through but I think we were left out of the best part of this one. 

# 3

Captain Phillips

This is an exception because Captain Phillips was released back in October of 2013 and I just got around to watching it. I remember when this incident happened and I was surprised to learn that pirates still actually exist. It floors me to think that just a few guys in basically a row boat can steal a huge commercial trawler, but as Captain Phillips can tell you, it's certainly possible. The story of the Maersk Alabama is thrilling and Tom Hanks was up to the task of portraying the titular character.  Unexpectedly Barkad Abdi put in the best performance of the movie. Abdi played the pirate under pressure from his warlord to make a huge catch, and boy did he go for it.  The rescue of the captain was a great ending, and I gained new respect for Navy Seal snipers after learning they were able to take out all 3 pirates simultaneously. Bad to the bone.

# 2

Nebraska

Who doesn't like modern movies shot in black and white about semi-delusional old farts? Bueller...Bueller? Ok, so maybe not that many people but honestly you should give Nebraska a chance. This old guy, Woody Grant, keeps escaping his house trying to walk from Montana to Nebraska because he thinks a piece of clearing house mail is literally awarding him a million dollars. Will Forte plays his son that tries to persuade him it's not true by actually taking him there and along the way they come together as a family. I found this a moving film and dead-pan hilarious with some great performances by Dern, Forte, and Bob Odenkirk who plays Saul Goodman on Breaking Bad. If you can get past the first few minutes you'll be pleasantly surprised. 

# 1

Frozen

As it happens Disney has been trying to adapt the Snow Queen since the 1940's but found it very difficult due to the more complex plot of the fairy tale. Frozen successfully changes the Snow Queen to a likable character and gives us a very relatable story to follow. Anna and Elsa are daughters to the King of Arendelle.  Elsa is the oldest and was somehow endowed with a power over ice. I would have liked some kind of explanation for the powers, maybe she's really Storm from X-Men, but the movie flows and works without it. The music is great and the Kristen Bell gets to show off her singing talent but Idina Menzel is the Icing on the cake performing "Let it Go" as Elsa. Of course Menzel is in her element here, she did originate the part of Elphaba in the Broadway hit Wicked. Definitely another classic for Disney.

December 2013 Movie Rankings!

Welcome to The Movie Ranker! I spend a lot my time watching movies and TV shows and talking about what I watch with family and friends. Starting this blog is my way of letting more people in on the conversation, and possibly providing some amusement for everyone as well. So take a look at my top 5 list for December 2013!

# 5
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

This movie is "kind of a big deal." Ron Burgundy fans were on pins and needles all year waiting for the legend to continue, and as long as you're a fan, Anchorman 2 did not disappoint. Will Ferrell and Adam Mckay come right back at you with the same I'll-say-anything-and -as- long-as-it's-the-most-random-thing-in-the-world-it'll-be-funny type of humor they perfected in their previous collaborations.  Why is it funny to have a news anchor raise a shark and then later have that shark try to eat him? I don't know, but I was laughing my butt off! Not many people get these kinds of jokes, namely my parents' generation!

# 4
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Thank you Peter Jackson, thank you. Last year you had me scared with An Unexpected Journey. It was overly long and moved too slow, definitely not on par with LOTR. But your are back on track with The Desolation of Smaug. The movie was still too long but at least the frequent action sequences kept it rolling along, and the special effects (especially Smaug) were captivating. I'm sure the insertion of Orlando Bloom drew out the female crowed and helped to rake in the money in tickets sales, so...good call! Martin Freeman is doing a great job as Bilbo and after binge watching the BBC series Sherlock, Freeman is moving up my list of great, not just good, actors. Oh, and I would be remiss to not mention that Freeman's buddy, Benedict Cumberbatch, voices the dragon, Smaug. How did I know who voices Smaug? Elementary, my dear Bilbo!

# 3
American Hustle

I think American Hustle is definitely one of the best con movies I've seen. It certainly makes it more intriguing to me that it is based on actual scams the FBI pulled in the late 70's and early 80's and period films always make me sit up and pay attention. Of course seeing Batman with a really bad comb over had me LMFAO! The main cast puts in a good performance but Jeremy Renner was the best. Maybe I'm just a fan of his but I think Jennifer Lawrence is getting too much attention for playing the dumb blond and Renner is being over looked. I believe it's easier to play crazy than a good politician getting in over his head. The music and clothes in the film will make you feel nostalgic, but the chest hair curling out of the big collar shirts will make you glad to be in the 21st century!

# 2
Saving Mr. Banks

Typically I'm not a fan of movies about movies. It just seems to me that those types of films are self serving and a little like Hollywood is saying "look at me, look at me!" But Saving Mr. Banks had a theme that anyone can relate to and resonates with my sense of heritage; how our loved ones are remembered and perceived after they pass away. Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson portray Walt Disney and PL Travers, the author of Mary Poppins. Both do an incredible job, but I still think Hanks was better in The Money Pit! You can't beat the tub falling through the floor and his laughing! It seems Travers had a hard time letting Disney have the rights to her Mary Poppins character because she was staunchly anti-animation. You'd think the author of a beloved children's novel would like cartoons. Besides, cartoons are just another entertainment medium for children. However, as it is hammered home to no end in this movie, that is not the case with Travers. Really though, who doesn't like cartoons?! Travers also seemed to really have it in for Walt Disney. Really though, who doesn't like Walt Disney?!...well, besides Meryl Streep?http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2014/01/10/critics-facts-dont-back-up-meryl-streeps-walt-disney-bashing/

# 1
 12 Years a Slave

The journey of Solomon Northup is not an easy thing to watch. There are many films that portray the atrocities of slavery in America, but this one gives us the perspective of a freeman who loses his freedom, as opposed to someone who was born into slavery. The loss of liberty and family all in one instant elevates the sense of hopelessness and desperation. Chiewetel Ejiofer, does an exceptional job conveying Solomon's horror in the face of terrible loss and cruelty and Lupita Nyong'o's and Michael Fassbender's performances are not to be missed. Similar to Schindler's List, 12 Years a Slave is difficult to watch, but because of it's historical relevance, I was glad I did.