22 Jump Street

My View:  22 Jump Street (2014)  R  The boys are back! Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) have left high school behind and now are ready to go undercover at the hallowed halls of a local university. Now that they are big men on campus, will their friendship survive?  I wasn’t a huge fan of the first film, but I did like some of the comedic moments, especially when some of the TV cast showed up.  I was mildly amused by this film but was put off by the number of jokes making fun of how homosexual Schmidt and Jenko’s relationship seems to be.  Too often the film went for the easy joke and sometimes it felt like we were watching a live action cartoon. At one point I swear I heard the Benny Hill theme music. I did enjoy the performance of Jillian Bell, who plays a roommate with an attitude. I think some people will enjoy this movie, but I can say I only liked it.  There is a funny sequence during the first part of the closing credits, and there is a very small bonus scene at the end of all the credits.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  22 Jump Street Website

Family Faire:  How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)  PG   It’s been five years since Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and Toothless the dragon saved the day and created peace between the dragons and the Vikings. Hiccup and Toothless stumble upon a faraway cave that houses hundreds of new wild dragons. The two friends discover that there is evil brewing as there is a Viking named, Drago (Djimon Hounsou), that plans on conquering the world.  I loved the first film and I very happy to say that the sequel is it’s equal, and due to the excellent animation, maybe even better.  The storyline moves at a quick pace, and the characters are fun and well developed, and the animation is incredibly detailed and colorful.  It’s film that kids and adults will both love, possibly seeing it several times.  The film also has a great message about friendship, family and taking responsibility.  Go see this film in 3-D, as it uses the technology to great advantage throughout the film, especially during the flying sequences. My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again  How to Train Your Dragon 2 Website

Forgotten Film:  Cat Ballou (1965) A young woman (Jane Fonda) wants her murdered father avenged. She hires a gunfighter (Lee Marvin) to fight her battles but she doesn’t realize that there is one problem, the gunfighter is a drunk.  This is a hilarious comedy that makes fun of all the arch-typical western stereotypes.  Fonda is excellent as the girl who thinks just about everything in the west is amazing.  Marvin is brilliant as the boozing gunfighter, Kid Shellen, making this film so much fun to watch.  My Rating: Full Price  Cat Ballou Info

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I’ve Only Seen in Trailers But Just Looks Like a Bad Idea):  Step Up: All In (2014)  PG-13  Dancers from the previous films compete in a dance off in Las Vegas.  I think I will sit this one out.  Step Up: All In Facebook page   

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD/Blue Ray):  Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)  PG-13  Jack Ryan (Chris Pine) is a junior analyst for the CIA. When he uncovers evidence of an imminent terrorist attack, he is sent to Moscow to continue his investigation. He encounters Viktor Cherevin (Kenneth Branagh) who is intent on taking down the world’s economy.  I enjoyed this action film, especially the interplay between Pine and Kevin Costner, who recruits Pine’s character into the CIA.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit Website

Weird Credits: From the credits of 22 Jump Street:  Football coordinator 

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Snowpiercer (2014) R In the future, almost all life on Earth has perished.  The only people still alive are on a train that travels across the globe.  The film sounds really weird but the trailer makes it look awesome.  Snowpiercer Website 

Until Next Time!