2012 Movies: 10-15 Plus a few previous seen quick hits.

Hello to the four people...... Three people who read this. Ok, Fine Hello Anne. Welcome to my blog of 2012 Movies movie numbers 10-15. In case someone else accidently lands here and says hey, I'll give this joker a quick read let me break it down for you. Each year I read 100 movies. I rate them. I blog about them. These movies are movies that I haven't seen before so it could be anything from a goofy 80's comedy to a family movie that I missed. It could be a horror flick that is famous for it's stupidity. It's just that I haven't seen it. So A few quick hits. I received some emails asking me about a few things that I had already seen.

Exorcist. A classic Horror film. 3.8

King Kong (Jack Black) not the original. 4.3

Superman Series. I'm going to have to give them a re-watch to give you an accurate score. I do know about a few of them though. Superman 4.7, Superman II 4.6, and Supergirl 4.9. Supergirl is perfect for what it is. 

Enough of that. If you are interested in what I think about your favorite movies comment on the blog, send me a message via Facebook, Tweet me @beespray989, or feel free to email me brandon.entsminger@gmail.com

10) Hugo (2011)

This is the last of our last of the Oscar run. We didn't get to see the Movie of the Year winner, because it was in Limbo at the time. No theater near us had the movie playing (The Artist), we didn't get to see a few others that we wanted, but we did get this last one in. Hugo. It won a lot. It was a reminiscent look at the way movies used to be and what they can be, but seldom are. Art. The Protagonist is a child with a great imagination and a way with clocks in the train station. He is nothing more than a clock mechanic and can do things quickly. He meets a girl and they find a mystery through a gift that his late father had left him. It takes them on an incredible journey that brings them to a few exciting turns and gives you a better depth to a story than you ever anticipated. The story was beautifully orchestrated by Scorsese and really gave you and appreciation for the film industry that has brought us this far. Although it has all of those good things going for it, it had some negative things as well. It dragged quite a bit. Most movie's that are driven by a mystery move a bit quicker and let you in on, and make you part of the plot. This movie went forward at a crawl and by the time it progressed I had gotten tired of the children who were playing the parts. Plus, some of the stuff it did made me fill a bit neglected as an audience member. It's good to play at people's emotions and to get people involved in your plot. Even if the overall story is extremely well done like this one, if you don't involve the audience throughout and you break your flow you can loose them. I liked what was done with the movie, But I don't understand why people loved it with all their heart. That doesn't make sense to me. Was the movie good. Yes. Was it worthy of an Oscar nomination for best picture, probably since the Oscar Comity is full of pretentious up tight jerks who wouldn't know a film from a roll of toilet paper being  ran through the projector. I have a few really good reasons to highly disagree with them. This movie isn't one of them. However, I have seen several movies that don't belong in an Awards show receive high accolades. On occasion I agree with the Oscars, In the case of the last few years I agree with the academy award winner and this year I haven't seen the movie so I can't say if I do or do not agree with their choice. I disagree mostly with them when it comes to some of the smaller categories and why movies are placed in them or why they are nominated at all. They also tend to shun movies that are made for the general public. I don't understand why they do this, and that's why I think they are pretentious. The Academy Award Winner for 2011 was "The Artist" and as stated previously I haven't seen it. Yet. It's on my to do list. This movie. Not to give it anything nor take anything away from it is a perfect movie to judge all movies. Is it better or worse than Hugo. We all need the middle man. It's not that being the middle man is a bad thing, The QB needs his line to block for him so that he can make the play. That is why this movie is a perfect 3 out of 5. Extremely watchable, but nothing special. Perfection in the middle of the road. It's the Spin Doctors or the Gin Blossoms where other movies are Stone Temple Pilots and Nirvana, but it's not exactly some cover band playing in a bar. 

(11) Drowning Mona (2000)

Anne owned this and I have been trying to watch all the movies that she had when we got married so that I don't have that awkward moment when someone comes to my home and says this movie is great and I have to admit that I haven't seen it. So in order to avoid that. I need to watch all the ones we own. This one surprised me. I put it on and thought this one will be a great one to sit around and do some chores too. What it did was make Anne angry because I had to sit and watch this instead of doing my chores. I'm kidding she didn't get angry, she got infuriated. If you ever want to make my wife mad leave towel on the bathroom floor. (joking.... serious..... I'm going to be in trouble when she reads this.) This movie was great. From the hardened, drunken red neck family to the cop who just wants to do his job. It was great. It was a laugh out loud great time. Unexpected hilarity and a plot that continues to get dumber and more twisted between each turn and unveiling. Just the small thing of having everyone driving the same car was more than enough to make the movie a fun time. The actors in this were top notch comedians from Danny DeVito to Jamie Lee Curtis they all excelled at what they were cast to do. I even liked Casey Affleck and Neve Campbell. It was a circus of laughter and a just a good way to spend an hour and a half on a day off. 4.2 out of 5.

(12) WWE: The History of the Heavyweight Championship of the World (2006)

Not to be confused with the History of the "World Heavyweight Championship." This tracks the WWE championship from it's beginning to its current champion. Well current as of 2006. It showed some of the best contended matches. Also some it's worst. I hate the set up of their documentaries. It's like they don't even care and they are obviously just trying to make that 1.50 per DVD that gets sold. Plus, you would think they would lay it out for you and at least show you pictures of each champion. They don't. As the movie goes forward it gets sloppier and sloppier skipping entire years and several changes of the championship. I understand that the championship in professional wrestling changes hands quicker than their "Superstars" can rape young women, but the least you could do in a History of the Championship is list all of the Champions in correct order. Not only do they begin to jump around, but they skip people. PATHETIC. It did give some good matches from the past and at least showed a little tip of the hat to those who made that worthless corporation what it is. So for that I give it a point a piece. Almost. 1.7 out of 5.

(13) Wanderlust (2012)

I will say that this movie gets an automatic point for Paul Rudd. I love Paul Rudd. He is one of my favorite comedic actors and I was excited to see him with Jennifer Aniston. I thought the premise behind this movie was brilliant. A couple leaves civilization and it's expectations to live an inspired life instead. The Hippy community was nutty. The first feel you get of this community is just a full on full front male nudity. Too the point that it stopped being funny and was uncomfortable. The Nudity in this movie was unnecessary. I am not against Nudity in movies if it is there for an actual purpose and doesn't get used just for the sake of being used. Love scenes sure, comedic value ok, I'm even o.k. with the flash in the background for setting in say a Strip Club. It's for the most part ignoble.   When it's not shoved in your face you can ignore it. Look past it and move on. This movie, you can't. There was also a failed attempt at a scene by Rudd. It wasn't his fault it was just really distasteful and embarrassing and made me a little uncomfortable which is hard to do. It was the Mirror scene for those of you who bothered to watch this movie. I didn't care for it. I didn't like the answers that were given and the path the couple took. I thought it was a failure for the most part with the aspect of getting a valid point across. Aniston isn't funny. Not in this. Not in most things. I'll give her 'Friends' maybe a few movies like 'along came polly' Not this. Justin Theroux however was Amazing in this. SO good. He pulled off his character way better than any of the other people in the movie did. Well, most of the Hippy clan was done pretty well. Malin Akerman was Gorgeous and so very sexy. Alan Alda did really well, but he typically does.   I dislike Kathyrn Hahn in almost everything...scratch that... Everything she does. Her whinny voice makes me want to cut out her larynx. The movie's plot started well and had great points. Some of the fun of the New York apartment and the Brother being a complete tool bag. Overall, This movie stunk. Not funny. Not inspiring. Not good. Not the Worst of all time, but completely utterly skip able.  1.5 out of 5.

(14) Batman Year One (2011)

This of course judging by the title is a Batman movie. This is an animated feature. It's based on the popular Frank Miller Comic. It did a great job following the comic along it's path I enjoyed the animation and it's tip of the hat overall to the Comic. I like it when they do an animated feature and basically just bring the comic to life. DC comics does this over and over with their animated features, not all of them, but they definitely give and keep on giving. Not that Marvel doesn't, because Marvel did a great job with Planet Hulk. DC gave us two Superman/Batman movies, All Star Superman, Year One, and touched on Death in the Family with the Red Hood. I like the animated features they put out. They don't mess around with them and they give you good quality animation and they give you top notch voice acting and they pack the DVD's with so many extras that you can spend all day with the disc's and not even begin to get bored. Year One was great. It did a great job at Bringing Frank Miller's story to life. The Voice acting was below par, I didn't like Ben Mckenzie's voice over job for Batman and Wayne and overall they flow of the movie was effected by his lack luster performance. The problem with producing a carbon copy of Comic and bringing to life in animation, is that Batman fans aren't going to be surprised by what happens. So you have to give them something throughout that they will enjoy. You have to give them good animation, which this movie did. You have to give them sudden hints to other story lines in the backgrounds, Year One skipped this. (Superman/Batman Apocalypse gave you a subtle nod to the DC VS. MK video game.)  All and All this movie was. Well. Forgettable. For that I can't honestly give it higher any higher than it's par rating of 3 out of 5.

(15) The Thing (2011)

Lets get this straight. I haven't seen the old ones. I am an sorry excuse for a human being. The Thing is a classic story in the Science Fiction Horror genre. I for the most part have ignored it. I haven't even played the Video Game which is just sad. I didn't even read the book. What is wrong with me. I normally jump on this stuff and go all out, but this movie for some reason just said Hey, you should be excited to watch me. So then I got excited to see it. I mean it has nothing whatsoever to do with Mary Elisabeth Winstead. It has everything to do with the fact that I have neglected this classic story that John Carpenter has gifted this world with. Who am I kidding, Mary Elisabeth Winstead is smoking and she is the whole reason I finally settled down to watch this. Conan O'Brien is in this. Scratch that it's Joel Edgerton again. This movie was nice and easy. It had some breath taking moments with the Ice and the Wind Chill. The Spaceship was amazing. Really Well done. Plus, the main story line was incredible. There is a reason why this story can have several movie adaptations, a Video game and an anime series based on it. It's because it's a well thought out plot. Mary Elisabeth Winstead is so pretty. Wow. I mean lets take a minute to reflect on why this movie was awesome. plenty of shots of Winstead, she was the main character. She yells and screams so it's kinda like you are in a relationship with her, because of the constant yelling and screaming in your face. She runs out of breath a few times, she is super smart. Oh did I mention this movie is great because Mary Elisabeth Winstead is in it. Ok time to actually focus on the movie. So, The monster was great, the special effects and animation was top notch, the transformations were great, and Winstead is hot. Perfectly terrifying chase scenes and the Monster/Alien whatever was really good and believably intelligent. It was a descent horror flick and shouldn't be dismissed because it had terrible horrible advertising agency, that didn't give this movie what it had due. It was done well, It has a 4.3 HOLY CRAP WINSTEAD out of 5.


Coming up Mirror, Mirror; Rango; Drive; and The Tourist.

2012 Movies. 7-9. Plus, radical news and a very special gift for you all.

Alright, So Blog number three of 2012. If you haven't read any of my movie blogs, there are plenty in the previous blog posts that you can go through. If you want a particular movie, send me a message and I'll check it out, and let you know what number it will appear it.

Here is the deal with this blog. I like movies. I watch 100 movies a year that I haven't seen. With that in mind you can have movies spanning several generations in just a few blogs or even in the same one. I use several different gateways to watch movies. Netflix, Hulu, Crackle, Redbox, regular rental stores, Libraries, Movie Theaters and the good old fashioned way, I'll buy them, and my friends and other people let me borrow them. I watch them and then I rate them, sometimes I rant about things that I like or dislike about the movie, actors, etc. The rating's fall between 0 and 5. This year I have started being a little more precise with my ratings and using decimal points after being asked too by several of my followers. Most of whom don't actually follow my blog. I'm not sure why, maybe they just don't want to sign up for blogger, but in the words of the great and wise Professor Farnsworth "good news everyone" not his other qoute "You? A woman! I'm trying to catch a monster, not find the quickest way to the mall."  Anyway, this blog will be featured on the Tumblr site of....................................... THE UNICORN GUILD!!!!!!! AWWWWWW YEAAAAH. I will also start not only doing movies but will start doing Video games the same way. Old and New side by side, blog by blog. The Tumblr site will not only feature my blog, but game play from my Halo time, and all of those Guilder's out there who also play and experience the fun it is to be part of the Guild. By the way, we aren't serious gamer's. You will see what I am talking about when the Tumblr site is up and running. It will also feature artwork, music and other creativeness that the guild members have to offer. So enough of the great news. Lets talk about the Movies.


The following movies are part of Anne and my Oscar Run. We like to try and catch all the movies that are in the Academy Awards. We typically don't get all of the movies in. We try, but it's hard when some of the movies are in Limbo between the theater and DVD. There are a few in the previous blog and there will be a few here and in the next blog.

(7) The Tree of Life (2011)

I'm going to start this by saying this one is going to seriously upset some of my readers. I typically like abstract movies that touch and go to tell a larger story in the end and give an overall feeling that only a movie can give you. I have covered these type of movies in the past. I typically like them. This one however. Gave me nothing. Nothing. If you take away all the filler and give me the basic story with a the feel that it could have potentially portrayed it could have been a little better. Just because something is beautiful or has a period of transition is basically part of this earths great history doesn't mean you need to throw it in a film. Yes, the images that were shown were amazing. The images and flow fit together some some of the most seamless transitions and the editing were great. The Dinosaur part was something that added and didn't detract from the movie out of all the fluff, yes I said fluff, because that is exactly what it was, the Dinosaur part was the best. Some of the fluff, indeed was miraculous to watch and I understood the growth and what was trying to be said throughout the movie with the fluff. Why didn't I like the fluff? Especially, because I not only thought it was entertaining, beautiful and well produced. The main reason I didn't like it within the movie, was that I realized I wasn't watching the wonderful documentary "Planet Earth" I was watching a movie. A movie that was supposed to have a plot and meaning. It did have a plot. A weak one. I didn't like anything about the plot. The acting given by Pitt and Jessica Chastain and the children wasn't weak, it was the best part of the film. The Dinner table scene was one of the only saving graces I could find in this throne of crap that was this movie. Sean Penn delivered another over rated performance where he basically stands around and looks out different windows. No offense, but I can see the same thing with fish in an aquarium or a zebra in a zoo. I have seen zombie's in movies look more perplexed than the most over rated actor in Hollywood Sean Penn. Was this movie good. No. Did it have it's moments. Yes, but I have my moments mowing the grass. I felt that the fluff covered up the fact that the script was too short and didn't have enough in it to make a full feature so they just dumped a bunch of nature stuff the saw on animal planet and the discovery channel to fill up time and make a film out of it. It was weak, sour, and borderline un-watchable. Not the worst movie I have ever seen. Not nearly that bad, but it wasn't good either. 1.1 out of 5.

(8) Warrior (2011)

 This movie was another one during the Oscar run Anne and I made at my parents house this year. By the way has anyone ever noticed How much Joel Edgerton and Conan O'brien look alike. It's a little Uncanny. I'll add a Picture at the End of this. It's a movie of Brothers who have taken drastically different paths and end up at the same place. A cage Tournament Via UFC. They have a drunk for a father who is Nick Nolte and he plays it well. I think, because that's basically what he is now. That's how convincing he was. The plot was actually surprisingly in depth. I couldn't get over seeing Conan O'brien in a UFC cage. I will say one thing. I am not in any way a UFC fan. I do enjoy the fights and showboats when I have taken the time to watch them. I by no means have ever bought or set out for an evening of UFC watching. I will say though that I enjoyed the movie. It's plot was just as intriguing of any movie I have seen to date. The one brother was estranged from the family and holds a heavy grudge. The other is a blue color american up to his eyeballs in debt and tries to gain money by working non stop and doing the best he can only to loose his job and become desperate. It's a great tale, one that hasn't been told in this matter in previous films. It's a rocky like tale that ends in almost an Old Yeller style. The tale of a fighter who against all odds rises to victory is one that has been told throughout the years in some of the most classic movies. (Rocky) These movies stand the test of time and entertain by the thousands. However, this movie is one that has its overall issues. The Brothers confrontation was great. The fighting was outstanding and believable. The movie however had a few things wrong with it. Unlike it's predecessors like Rocky, Million Dollar Baby, The Karate Kid and Raging Bull this movie doesn't produce one solid character to get behind. It gave you two to feel sorry for. It gave you options which is great, but in a movie when it comes down to the end if your guy losses it's going to ruin the movie for you. Spins from the past don't really show up here either there is no Million Dollar Baby breath taking moment or breath holding moment. There were no twist of fates. The movie didn't need there to be. The acting was OK, the wife of Brendan wasn't convincing. This is like the third or fourth thing I have seen her in and I am not impressed. The Principal watching the fights was hilarious and the comradeship of the kids in Brendan's school was fun. The movie itself was fun and compelling. I don't have a lot to say in the negative. Except... It's run time. It went on and on. It slowed down to a crawl at times and this kills points quicker than anything for me. 3.4 out of 5.

(9) The Fantastic Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (2011)

This movie was amazing. It's a short. It's so short in fact that I watched twice in a row to catch all of it's wonderfulness. It was fun, sad, happy, and funny. It was everything a full length movie is packed into a well done short. It's every bit as intriguing as any other full length feature film that has billions of dollars backing it. It's one of the best films I have ever seen. One of the most heart felt and appreciative movies that have graced the screen large or small. It gives you an appreciation of the things that we sometimes overlook, and don't pay much attention too. If you want to know my rating. It's perfect. 5 out of 5.  If you want to watch this amazing short film I suggest you do something that is unprecedented. Don't leave this blog because it is below waiting on you to enjoy it as much as I did. Reader's of my blog. Please enjoy "The Fantastic Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore."

2012 movies 4-6

Lets start this blog off with a short explanation. I watch movies. I watch 100 movies a year that I haven't seen before. These can be old or new, I only count the one's I haven't seen. I rate them. 0-5. 0= terrible 5=fantastic. I also choose to rant here and there on things. So, there's the Gist, feel free to read my earlier blogs, comment often, suggest movies and otherwise share your thoughts. So on with the movies.

(4) The Woman in Black (2012)

This was the first movie that Anne and I went to see in theater for the year. We picked this one for several reasons. We watched the trailer because Daniel Radcliffe was in it. Naturally, we like him from some of his previous work. Potter mostly. So this one intrigued us a good deal. We also probably would have watched this without Radcliffe, because we love our horror flicks. This one looked like one of the better ones. Occasional we miss one in the theater, but we wanted to grab this one. I posted the trailer below for you, so that you can see why we were so interested in seeing this. The house is majestic, the portrayed story eerie and the scares legitimate.  So did the movie hold up to the Trailer? Indeed, it did not only that, but it blew my expectations away. The plot was well thought, written and played out.  As far as horror movies goes, most of the time the plot isn't well done. It's cheap scares, scary monsters, and straight forward plots, nothing shocking unless it's a typical "The good guy is a bad guy, and the bad guy is the good guy" type. This plot didn't really give you anything cheesy in way of plot. It didn't give you any super monsters.
What it did give you was a solid ghost story from start to finish, A creepy town, A creepier townspeople, A crazy plot in general when involving the townspeople's children. The House and it's grounds was it's very own character and it was an important character. The townsmen where terrified of it, for good reason. The house wasn't always accessible and it was pristine. It was a classic home with a ghastly chill to it. The grounds were terrific Anne mentioned later how she would love to live in a house like this one day, without the ghosts and stuff. If you like Horror Films, suspense films or just films with a good story line I think you will like this one. Radcliffe is a believable hero in this one and his supporting cast lends itself to the story. Some of the scenes are unforgettable and every actor/actress gives themselves to this movie and that doesn't always happen, sometimes you get a few people that are giving a half effort or a even no effort. Sometimes great actors give bad performances. This one is special its flow is fluid and feels natural. The movie is one of the best I have seen and definitely the best of the year so far. 5 out of 5. Flawless.


Every year Anne and I prep for the Oscars by watching as many of the Oscar films as we can. This year, we had just moved and hadn't been able to get our Internet turned on. Which is the only way we could get a few of the movies, because they were out of the theater and not yet on DVD. So, if you can't catch something in theater. You can't get it on DVD, exactly what do you do in order to watch the films. You do what you can. Then you miss some. We were able to get some of them and weren't able to get to some of the others. For instance we weren't able to get the Movie of the Year Winner "The Artist." At this point We still havn't seen it. It's on the list. The next few are all Oscar Nominee's for one thing or another. We watched this year with my Mom and Dad. They bought so many snacks that I am still suffering from the junk food overdose, such a fun time. The first movie we watched.

(5) Moneyball (2011)

This movie was the first choice, because I had first choice. I really wanted to see this. If you have read my blogs before you then know that I have a certain feeling about Pitts work. Lets look at his track record. 12 monkeys, Seven, Benjamin Button, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, etc. He has been in some of the greats, and he has done great. As he ages he gets much better. This is the first movie of his we watched this weekend. He has two. This one and The Tree of Life. This movie is the one that I will obviously speak on. I like Baseball. I like Baseball a lot. This movie is a Baseball movie. I recognized the players, I liked the subtle hints and the historic accuracy. It focused on how the game was changed from a game of performers to a game of numbers. It sounds boring, but they made it exciting by adding a lot of Flare and suspense. For the first time in my life I was duped into cheering against history. However, History typically wins. I enjoyed this it was appropriately suspenseful and deserved the credit it was given. The relationship between Hill and Pitt was well done. It carried the movie. The frustration consistently given throughout was brilliantly represented from not only the main characters but the scouts as well, some of the best parts of the movie were when the traditional scouts rebelled against  the new radical movement. This movie carried it's own weight and was as good as everyone had said it was 4.9 out of 5.

(6) Midnight in Paris (2011)

This movie I have to rant a little before I get into this. This is a Woody Allen movie. Woody Allen is a special director. The reason I say this is that either you are in the mood for a Woody Allen film and you therefore enjoy it or your not in the mood and you therefore won't enjoy it. Allen films are also either you really like them or you really don't. Allen films aren't a normal film he typically tries to say a few things throughout and he tries to build the story in stages. I have seen a bunch of his movies. He puts out typically one a year. My first one of his was "The Purple Rose of Cairo" It was ok and it didn't stand out to me "Mighty Aphrodite" was a little better, but it didn't really stand out. His movies don't stand out to me as good or bad and either you like them or you don't. So I wanted to give that little Woody Allen disclaimer, I'm not pretending that I have seen so very many of his films that I am an expert, on the contrary, I haven't seen enough of his films to say that I like him as a director. This is something I feel that I must rectify. I do think that I have seen enough of his films to know that I don't look forward to seeing one of his films. I hope this changes as I get more of his films watched. So if you are a Woody Allen fan, I am sorry if you are turned away from this, but honestly I want to like his stuff, I just haven't found that film of his that knocks me down. That being said, Let me chat about "Midnight in Paris." Owen Wilson I typically like. Rachel McAdams I typically like. I didn't like Either of them in this film. I didn't like their characters, I didn't like their characters relationship, I didn't like their friends. I didn't like any of the chemistry between them, which is weird, because I was looking forward to their chemistry. Why, because it was SUPER strong SOOO Strong in "The Wedding Crashers." Which was a raunchy comedy. Funny. Great. Best I have ever seen Vince Vaughn, but it was a silly comedy. Wilson and McAdams had great Chemistry in that, here not so much. The story had potential. Lots of Potential. Plus, anytime you throw in Marion Cotillard, I will watch, because she is awesome. I liked the story line. It was intriguing and interesting, I liked the premise. I really thought Corey Stoll knocked out the Earnest Hemingway character. I liked this overall story. I however, did not care for the majority of the turns and the side love story. It wasn't put together well. It didn't have a very good flow and it went way too long. It just dragged in the middle. Then they doubled down the road of time and It made my interest sway. This movie for me had the potential to be my private favorite for the Oscar Win, it didn't deliver in places where I thought it should have. It just didn't have it. Predictable. Just not what I expected and once again it didn't really stand out. That's what happens with Allen's films for me. It's a shame. I really want to like them, but i don't think they stand out for me. Lets hope I find that Allen film that changes that for me. 2.4 out of 5.



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