Caro the Movie Critic

Wes Craven: One of the masters of horror.  I will be blunt and confess that horror movies are not my forte but very few filmmakers know how to master the suspense, the blood and scares real well. One of the directors is Wes Craven. He died yesterday at the age of 75 and he will be remembered one of the best and most artistic horror directors of all-time. He knew how to twist a story and turn into a fun and original movie or series of movies that teenagers can host a marathon on Halloween. He was known as the writer and director of slasher films and not just to have cheap thrills...but to make newer cheap thrills. I will post some of my favorite films' clips of his on here. May he rest in peace. A Nightmare on Elm Street This is the movie that catapulted an iconic horror figure named Freddy Krueger and he had the time to haunt your dreams or give you nightmares. Eventually, you have to wake up or die. However, it is a movie that will still set you up an inception of marath...

It's more of a journey than you think.  In today's age, technology has overshadowed the human condition and communication between two or more people. People do not want to simply talk face-to-face anymore regarding any topics, issues or any other popular news. I am not a journalist but every interview I and many people watch talking to a very important celebrity or inspirational person would allow their running time in 5 minutes or an hour. Rarely, very rarely, a journalist and a subject would have 5 days in this day of age. This movie is the unconventional study of the human condition with some hidden agenda between them and it is simply human speech, very interesting human speech. In a year of impressive blockbuster films, this is a quiet movie that is simply astute and brilliant to witness and observe the hidden interview and friendship between journalist and subject. In 1996, David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) is doing a public reading of his novel, which became a moderat...

Let's get the family out and try to escape. The brash intensity to the latest movie of Owen Wilson's filmography is proof on-screen and we, the audience, realize the horrors of the propaganda that is going on in another country. A myriad on vacationers do not do enough research to visit and what to discover when going to another country or to another region. Yes, many families would like to visit another country just for the experience, however, this movie is a lesson as many families should just watch the news when something is going on in that country. For example, I do not think it is a good idea to go the Caribbean in this time of the hurricane season. With all of the xenophobia and the unpleasantry of the disturbing images occurring during a coup and despite the overload of style, this movie is worthy enough to watch because of the well-crafted action sequences. However, it is not a movie to re-live for a while. In a world where strangers roam into a strange wilderne...

Sir Ian McKellan as the retired Sherlock Holmes. "Elementary, Dear Watson." Sherlock Holmes is a particularly interesting character to follow because of his intelligence and charm that delights not just readers but also viewers of some of the movies and the show, Sherlock , starring Benedict Cumberbatch. The Sherlock Holmes movies with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are mixed with me as I enjoyed the first movie for what it is but it became over-stylistic in the sequel. However, the question to the readers is: how would you imagine Sherlock Holmes? Or better yet: what do you think of Sherlock Holmes when he is living like an older adult? As we examine the intimate portrait of Sherlock Holmes himself, even though the result does not reach the greatness of a character study, it is a perfectly fine movie to watch on a rainy afternoon witnessing a charming performance by Sir Ian McKellan. Sherlock Holmes (Ian McKellan) is a retired 93-year-old man from detective work. He ...

Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart reunited. This movie is one of the weirdest and most interesting premises ever put on-screen that it combines many elements from many different movies: action, mystery, romance and drugs. When a crazy project of this caliber comes into play, the filmmakers and writers do not care and they throw all of their ingenious or insane creativity onto the screen to show to the studio executives and to the audience. It is not a spy movie, per se, but an action comedy with a stoner protagonist. This project is such an intriguing idea that the filmmakers push the envelope on hard-edge action so much that it loses their edge on going through the motions with their gory action and style. Mike Howell (Jesse Eisenberg) is a stoner clerk at a convenience store living peacefully in Liman, West Virginia. He is executing a plan to propose to his loving girlfriend, Phoebe Larson (Kristen Stewart). He even planned a two-day trip to Hawaii to have as surprise proposa...

To My Fellow Fans and Readers, Even though I have been reviewing movies since 2009 or 2010 and started as a hobby and even though there were a few occasions that I wanted to quit a few times, people reacted to my feedback with positive vibes and a few negative vibes regarding a few minority reviews such as my positive reviews of Elysium , Prometheus  and Spring Breakers  and negative reviews of The Fault in Our Stars , The Blind Side (which I later liked) and Pitch Perfect 2 . But, it has been two years since I've started on the blog and it's been two good years. as I try to entertain you all on what I have to say regarding the movies, my anticipated movies, my favorite type of movies in a specific genre or season to watch, a few reactions to some events and others. I have to say posting "My 5 Favorite Robin Williams Performances" was the toughest topic to type due to the tragic death of the talented comedian. But, the happiest is when I let out my anger when I...

An eerie and menacing Kevin Bacon.  Oh, cops. Either they will help you in their own courteous right or they get so carried away with their "example of the law" that they can do whatever they want. However, I have not seen a movie where a cop and two kids are in the middle of a situation in which anything can go very wrong. The question is will anybody survive? But, this movie serves as a psychological examination of a corrupt cop's psyche in both his professional job and a greedy situation in which he can possess anything he wants with his egotistical and menacing sense of nature, especially when it involves two boys. The movie has a sensational first act and true performances, however, the material becomes jumbled in its suspense that the tone and mood loses its way and becomes inconsistent. But, with reservations, this is a solid piece of work. Travis and Harrison (James Freedson-Jackson and Hays Wellford) are two troublesome boys that steal a cop car in a lightl...

"They are secret agent men and secret agent...wo-man." It's particularly difficult to create a movie from a TV show that is so invigorating and nostalgic that many people has expectations of saying that it will next best thing. It is the paradox of rising expectations. You never know when the next great movie adapted from a television series/show will come about. What are the best movies when it comes to TV adaptations? I can name from the top of my head: The Fugitive , The Untouchables, 21 Jump Street , Mission Impossible , etc. Plus, again, we have been having a great year of spy flicks and this movie does qualify as being a good movie in that genre and TV genre, however, it does get self-indulgent in its style that the movie becomes a bit bloated. Nevertheless, it redeems itself with its fun chemistry among the cast and its clever and exciting action sequences. In Berlin in 1963, Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) is making way to a checkpoint with Illya Kuryakin (Armi...

Chris Farley entertaining the audience and the actors. I saw this documentary recently and this homage to the late Chris Farley caught my attention because I wanted to know the perspective of family members, friends and fellow colleagues from SNL and films on how Chris Farley was as a person and a comedian. I have seen some of his skits and some of them are the funniest skits I have ever seen on SNL and there was one portion of the documentary that I felt that it was so ironic that it is as more hilarious of an anecdote regarding an SNL sketch I've ever heard than any other documentary. But, this is a fine movie that is not just a tribute but a sole love letter to the greatly respected and talented comedian. This movie offers many stories and fulfilling compliments about Farley that sometimes the documentary gets carried away with their emotions and not come back to the core of the story which seemingly makes the transitions a bit more awkward in its editing. However, we hear...

NWA are Straight Outta Compton. I was not around and/or not familiar with the age of when N.W.A. came around in the mid-to-late 1980s-early 1990s and sparked a whole age of hip-hop music with such street poetry and sensitive topics in their lyrics to their songs. I have listened to a few of the songs, however, I am not a big hip-hop/rap fan but some of the songs had electricity and intensity to its lyric on how they feel in their society and in their lives. It sort of introduced a new genre and a new audience to the world but not without controversy. Also, this film is a highly entertaining biopic introducing the characters' rise of fame and fortune that brings a whole new genre into the world among a few riots within themselves and the nation. It is a riveting surprise. We are to introduced to a young Easy-E, Dr. Dre and Ice Cube (Jason Mitchell, Corey Hawkins and O'Shea Jackson Jr.) as they all have different aspects of life they are dealing with. Easy-E was in the midd...

Okay, come on. What do you think will be #1? Fall 2015 is almost around the corner and a whole new batch of exciting films is coming. This fall season is also a look back at nostalgia as a few movies are coming out with plotlines from early in the day. But, the way it is looking there are a few potential movies in the lineup from gifted and talented directors to offer their best work to date and may be in possible Oscar contention. They may be the best of the best but we will see. The top 2 was pretty simple to figure out in terms of what my anticipated movies are but the rest: it was tough. Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2XbD3z5hFE For now here they are: 10. The Night Before (Nov. 25) Warning: Viewer discretion advised for language. Director Jonathan Levine scored when he made 50/50 , a risky cancer comedy that balanced humor and emotion quite well. Based on the trailer alone, this may do that as it deals with different religions, a baby on the way and dr...

Joel Egerton looking at Rebecca Hall and Jason Bateman. You're a 30-40-something adult with great success in the present as you are happily married to your wife, have a great house and have a great job. Everything is working in favor of you and with some good luck, maybe enjoy a great retirement. To get a job and have a fortunate skill, a person has to have skills, creativity and likability to make that human being a part of a team at home and at work. But, what would happen if something in your past comes back into your life and it comes back to disturb and annoy you in a way? Just be kind, be adults. With this movie, however, the trailer makes it seem like another cliched-ridden thriller, but thanks to Joel Edgerton, it is a movie that is so tantalizing and twisted that you will not predict whatever is coming in the final minutes of the movie. Simon and Robyn Callum (Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall) are spouses who moved to California, recovering from an unfortunate miscarri...

Miles Teller trying to save himself from a terrible movie. Expectations...we go into a superhero movie with such high hopes or low hopes...you know what, screw it. I'm going to go straight to the point because watching the trailer I had little hope for this movie because of the exceptional talent in the casting. However, this movie hurt me so badly that it seemed like I was watching a powerpoint presentation of a creative build-up to another Fantastic Four movie and there are a few good ideas and I hope that more could develop in its production of the movie. With a hefty budget and an exceptional cast, this movie is an abomination to the superhero genre and this is what Josh Trank and Fox could come up with. I'll go to the controversy later. It competes with Batman & Robin to see who scrapes the bottom of the crowded superhero movie barrel. It's that horrendous. Reed Richards (Miles Teller) and Ben Grimm (Jamie Bell) have been best friends ever since childhood and...

My face (no, I'm not Kate Winslet) after watching another bad movie from another bad filmmaker. I believe it was last year that I posted my favorite movie directors which is no question Martin Scorsese. But, I may need to put another filmmaker onto the list as I saw 3 of his films and they are all great in different aspects. However, we all have directors that we abhor such as these movies that these directors made. When I see the person in the trailer or ad, I shrug in disgust and go into the movie with low expectations, hoping that their next movie is very good. But, at least, here are my least favorite movie directors no matter if they have one good movie in their resume. Joel Schumacher Best Movie: Falling Down Worst Movie: Do you really need a clue?  Batman & Robin John Moore Best Movie: None Worst Movie: A Good Day to Die Hard Jon Avnet Best Movie: I've never seen Fried Green Tomatoes , a guilty pleasure is Red Corner Worst Movie: 88 Minutes ...

Tom Cruise and Rebecca Ferguson kicking butt.  Think of the infamous Mission: Impossible theme song and it will make you either strut like a cool and charming bad-ass or kick some ass. As I was typing this review, I was thinking about this year regarding a certain genre. 2015 has been a good year regarding action and spy films: Kingsman: The Secret Service, Spy , Run All Night ,  Furious 7 , Mad Max: Fury Road , etc. Is 2015 a return to action glory? Taking Terminator: Genisys,  The Gunman and Taken 3  out of the equation, yes, so far, it is. We just need to wait for The Man from UNCLE, Spectre and a few other movies to come out. However, it becomes more likely that studios try to really up the ante or make a story become different to other characters. With this series, it has the rarest of birds of having the series getting better and better. Even though Rogue Nation is a nearly great movie, it is not as tight as its predecessor but this movie is a whole lo...

They are the Griswolds.  "Holiday Ro-ooo-ooo-ooo-ad!" Remember the nostalgic 1983 movie by the late great director Harold Ramis? National Lampoon's Vacation  is a memorable and fantastic comedy that takes a family road trip and turns that upside down with unfortunate events regarding hotel rooms, a credit card fiasco, a dead aunt and dog (spoilers), and well, the ending in which Wally World is closed due to maintenance. We all have to thank Harold Ramis and the late John Hughes, the writer, for inserting such nice and comic balance to the family road trip that could unfortunately occur at any time in any sense of the word. However, they must be rolling in their graves because this stand-alone film is an abomination filled with gross and excruciating jokes that we have to conceive from the screen. Rusty Griswold (Ed Helms) is a regional airline pilot that is blessed with a good family like his father. He is married to Debbie (Christina Applegate) and has two sons, ...