The Appetizers

I personally don't know anyone that actually enjoys commercials. Now that there is DVR commercials are mainly a thing of the past. That is, unless you go see a movie. People make sure to get there early so they don't miss a single commercial. Hollywood as cleverly disguised these commercials and have called them "Trailers." I love movie trailers. It's the first look into that movie you heard about and kinda want to see. Now that you've seen the trailer, you either really want to see it, or now youre indifferent completely to the movie. I've gone to see so many movies I play "The Trailer Game" with anyone I go with. Starting at the beginning of each trailer, whoever can correctly name the movie first gets a point. Whoever has the most points once the movie starts, wins. What do they win? Nothing. That doesn't stop me from making sure I get every last point though. 

If you were to compare going to the movies like eating at a nice restaurant, the movie trailers would be the appetizers. You dont need to have the appetizers when you go eat, but you have a much better experience when you do order them.  Every week Michelle and I will tackle the new trailers that catch our eye. Drop a comment and let us know what you think of each one.


Monsters University (June 21)

Travis Tilton
Monsters Inc. has been, by far my favorite Pixar movie, ever. Every animated movie gets compared to Monsters Inc. and not one has taken the title away from MI. When I heard that there would be a sequal to Monsters 3 years ago I was elated to say the least. When I heard it was a prequel I was even more excited. I get to see how Mike and Sully met? I get to see them as teenagers!? Pixar is going to make Monsters University my new favorite animated film. Once the first trailer came out I thought it had legs. Seeing Mike as a disco ball was funny. Now that the full trailer is out, I'm very worried though. This seems like they put Mike and Sully in a script written for Jonah Hill. I don't see how this movie isn't going to be just like every other college movie out there. Please tell me I'm wrong Michelle. Tell me I'm missing something here.

Michelle Nugent
From this trailer I'm worried that Pixar is going to let me down. I was also excited when I first heard that there was going to be a sequel, but less excited when informed that it is in fact a prequel. One reason: Boo. I agree that this looks like it will just be like any other college film. Pixar has gotten rid of the part of the original that made it heart-warming and, in my opinion, gave us the funniest parts. I'm interested to see the full film, but I'm afraid that without our favorite little human it just won't be the same.

Would You Rather (Out now in limited release)

Michelle Nugent

First reaction: Wow, this looks really good.

I love Brittany Snow and just about every movie she is in. She is such a versatile actress and really gets into whatever character she is playing. And this time? Just how far will she go to save her brother's life?

This movie looks like another Saw movie with a twist. There is electrocution, blowing up body parts, and it looks like some other pretty sick things going on. I can't tell if I'm just curious to know what is going on or if I'm just crazy, but this trailer has me wanting more.

Travis Tilton
I'm glad you were paying attention to what was going on. My first reaction: Oh wow theres the girl from John Tucker Must Die. Second reaction: Oh theres the dude from My Name is Earl. Third: Theres that guy from Dollhouse, what has he been up to lately? Fourth: is that Sarah Tancredi's father? Yea he's the governor from the first season of Prison Break! It feels like all the actors went to the unemployment office and the producer of this movie was there waiting for them.

Edit: I realize that Brittany Snow is a legitimate actress. I was just trying to get my point across. That is all.

Big Ass Spider (March 8)

Travis Tilton
Well you gotta love when the director threatens you before the trailer even starts. Gotta love even more when you watch a trailer and think, "That can't be real." The best part, though, is when you see that little symbol with the four levels "SXSW" South by Southwest is one of the biggest film and music festivals in America. This movie will be there. The acting was bad, the graphics were worse, and lets not forget, its called BIG ASS SPIDER! (aka Mega Spider, of course) I give up, I'll go see it. There has to be a reason this was accepted by SXSW, I'll watch it... and i have a feeling I'll probably love it.

Michelle Nugent
Where are Mega Shark and Giant Octopus when you need them? This trailer has left me speechless. I may one day watch this movie and I doubt I will love it. Because really.. I'm the honest one here.

1D3D (August 30)

Michelle Nugent
How do you even review this? We just can't get enough of peeking into the lives of celebrities can we? And when I say "we" I don't include myself. I've never really understood these films of musicians lives. Back in my day, if you wanted to know EVERYTHING about a band you bought every magazine with them on the cover and read their bios. I don't want to dis One Direction, these kinds of films just aren't my thing.

Travis Tilton
But the 3D, multi-million dollar budgeted documentary of the artist(s)... im sorry "artists"... is this generations version of TigerBeat. Why spend 5 bucks for you and your friends can buy a magazine filled with all the "hot info of their celebrity crushes, when now, they can each spend $12.50 each to put on uncomfortable glasses to watch a semi 3D video that lasts and hour and twenty minutes long, so you can see what these guys do behind the scenes of their worldwide tour.(I'll go ahead and spoil it for you, they do dumb idiotic stuff like you and I would do.)

  I don't see how anyone over the age of 16 will enjoy this movie. This isn't going to win any sort of Oscar. But one thing I do guarantee, is that on the weekend this movie comes out it will be internationally the number 1 movie in America. Isn't that really all that matters? 1D3D will make an ungodly amount of money because as it shows in the trailer, 1D is world wide.

Netflix Review: What's Eating Gilbert Grape

Once upon a time, a great actor known as Johnny Depp played characters that weren't a human form of cartoons. Don't get me wrong, I loved Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow and I am sure he will nail Tonto in the Lone Ranger as well, but it has been way too long since it seems like Johnny Depp has challenged himself dramatically. While watching "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" for the first time, I was reminded why Johnny Depp is known as such a versatile actor. The way Depp can show such a range of emotion in just his face and eyes is nearly unmatched by anyone.

Johnny Depp stars as Gilbert Grape lives in Endora, Iowa with his two sisters, mentally challenged brother and his five hundred pound mother. Gilbert, 24 years old, is starting to realize that he is stuck in this small town life. Caring for both his brother, Arnie, and his Momma, Gilbert gets very little time for himself. Watching Arnie is a 24/7 job since at any second he could be completely out of sight and you immediately assume the worst.  Gilberts "Momma," after years of letting go of herself, now weighs around 500 pounds never leaves the house let alone her couch. Gilbert works at the local grocery market in Endora. Gilbert says "Lamson's Groceries is where I work, Foodland is where everyone else shops." Foodland is the new supermarket that was built just outside of town. I personally enjoyed the similarities between Lamson's Groceries and Gilberts life. Just as Foodland has surpassed Lamsons in every way possible, leaving Lamsons a shell of what it once was, the same could be said for the way life has passed Gilbert now that he is forced to take care of his family. When asked if he ever shops at Foodland, Gilbert gives a quick sarcastic reply "I'd rather die." Though he was talking about Foodland, it seems that he also feels the same way for his life. His father committed suicide in their basement, his older brother moved away and is never seen in the movie. Because of this past, loyalty is everything to Gilbert, both on the giving and recieving end. He constantly hooks up with a bored housewife when he delivers her groceries. I really liked her response when he asked why she chose him to hook up with, "Because I knew you'd always be there. I knew you'd never leave." Gilbert probably wouldn't have even thought of leaving if it hadn't been for Becky, traveling in a camper with her mom, ends up in Endora when their truck breaks down. Becky and Gilbert bond and Gilbert sees what the world has to offer for him. With the weight of caring for Arnie and his mother becomes harder and harder to bear and with Becky showing the hope of what could be, Gilbert must decide just how much loyalty means to him.

While Johnny Depp was brilliant in this movie, Leonardo Dicaprio stole the spotlight. Leo played Arnie Grape, the mentally challenged brother of Gilbert, and demanded the viewers attention in every scene he was in. The range of emotions he showed in this movie is staggering. In my opinion this is the best work Leo has done to date. Darlene Cates played Momma  and though this is the first and only movie she's appeared in, she plays the part very well. Cates also, because of her weight, did not leave her home for five years and was featured on an episode of Sally Jesse Raphael. After Sally, Cates was approached to play Momma and took the chance. Since the movie, Cates has lost 250 pounds and hopes to start acting again in the future. (Full Story) A few other notable cast members were Juliette Lewis, John C. Reilly, Mary Steenburgen, Kevin Tighe, and Mr. Density himself, Crispin Glover.

This movie was delightful and much better than I expected. Besides a few slow parts and couple minor things I wish they cleared up earlier in the movie, there is not much to criticize in this movie. Gilberts two sisters didn't show much character and were pretty bland, but to be honest, the movie wasn't about them so it was easy to look over. I highly recommend this movie to anyone.

Vote on my blog on the right side of the page to help choose what Netflix movie I'll review next. Your choices are, Lars and the Real Girl, Craigslist Joe, and Don't be Afraid of the Dark. (If you have any suggestions as to what movie should be on the next poll leave a comment.) Also follow me on twitter @SMindedMovie and like Simple Minded Movies on Facebook!

Superbowl Movie Trailer Reactions

World War Z

Travis Tilton
Not sure if this movie is about zombies or the dangers of shopping on black friday.

Justin O'Neil
Brad Pitt vs zombies who looks to be very good at rock climbing. I hope this does the book justice.

Matt Lansdale
This looks like the first zombie movie to have more than one person survive, finally! I'll give it a try.

Alex Resendes
Looks like the movie focuses on the downfall rather than the aftermath. 

Jeff Havens
If this trailer is any indication to the path this movie follows I will stay at home and read. Great book, awful film direction.


Lone Ranger

Travis Tilton
Jack Sparrow is back in Pirates of the Carribean 5! ...Ok I know this isn't Pirates but it seems pretty close. That kid is the new Dan Marino though, perfect throw from a moving train by a 12 year old kid to a guy on a horse. Oakland Raiders... we have your new quarterback!

Justin O'Neil
Johnny Depp as Tonto should be interesting. The last movie of this type Disney released was John Carter, which was somewhat disappointing. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Matt Lansdale
Johnny Depp is starting to have about one character. No thanks, Not interested. 

 
Alex Resendes
Looks like another movie where the character survives everything and executes everything he does flawlessly. But this time, Jonny Depp is his partner. Not too sure about this movie.

Jeff Havens

I'm a sucker for westerns; all of them. You can count me in but paint me skeptical.


Oz: The Great and Powerful

Travis Tilton
I don't think I could be excited for this movie even if James Franco cut off his arm in the middle of it. Why come out with something like this when Wicked is what we all want to see? 

Justin O'Neil
I like James Franco and I'm excited to see an Oz origin story. Having read The Lion of Oz and the Badge of Courage as a child, I'm interested to see what Sam Raimi will do with the world of Oz outside of Dorothy, Toto, and her musically inclined posse.

Matt Lansdale
Watching the Wizard of Oz as a kid makes me excited for this movie. I'm excited for the look of the whole thing. 

Alex Resendes
This looks like an interesting movie. Showing the origin of Oz and how he came to be. I think this movie will give another perspective to The Wizard of Oz like Wicked has.

Jeff Havens
This looks to somehow be a bigger waste of time than Franco's General Hospital experiment. Another poor movie justified by many due to presence of Mila Kunis.


Fast and Furious 6

Travis Tilton
ENOUGH ALREADY!.... I'll be the first to admit that Fast Five was very enjoyable, but did I just see a car lasso a plane and take it down? Then another car fly through the cockpit? Enough. No Mas. No.... Mas... 

Justin O'Neil
Well I suppose they had to give the Rock a second movie in the Fast & Furious series. I'm sure it will be lots of fun to watch, even if not very realistic.

Matt Lansdale
No. Just no...nothing about these racing movies excites me and it looks like they are really digging for plots here. Please no.

Alex Resendes
Previously on Fast and Furious, the gang has learned how to do everything under the sun using a car. But this time, they must learn how to drift... a tank!! With the story being completely like the other 5 stories, the gang must use their driving skills to defeat yet another gang with driving skills!

Jeff Havens
If only for once a year and for a couple hours I have to suspend vehicle reality and enjoy non stop action then so be it. Only flaw with this one is they did not learn from LOST and keep Michelle Rodriguez in the ground.


Star Trek Into Darkness

Travis Tilton
This movie looks better and better with every new trailer/poster that comes out. STID, though a very unfortunate acronym, looks to be a frontrunner for one of my favorite movies of 2013.

Justin O'Neil
BBC's Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch has become one of my new favorite shows, so I'm extremely excited to see him as (supposedly) Khan in the new Star Trek. I just pray Spock survives the movie...

Matt Lansdale
Didn't watch the first one and probably wont watch this one. I don't have anything against Star Trek, I just dont care. Don't beam me up Scotty. 

Alex Resendes
Looks like a great movie. Although why make the bad guy say that he's "better at everything?" Seems like a lame line to throw in there. But definitely interested!

Jeff Havens
Very intrigued and excited for this J.J. Abrams follow up to his first Star Trek film. However as a diehard Star Wars fan I'm more excited this will be the last for Abrams most likely.


Iron Man 3

Travis Tilton
Not a big fan of "here lets show you as little as possible and then have you visit our Facebook page to see the extended version." But then the first 5 minutes of the extended trailer is Robert Downey Jr. just staring into the camera. Completely worth it.

Justin O'Neil
Always ready to see Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark. Ben Kingsley as his villain, Don Cheadle as the War Machine, and blood leaking out of the Iron Man suit? Yes, please.

Matt Lansdale
Explosions. Guns. Air Force One blowing up. and Robert Downey jr. needless to say im pumped!

Alex Resendes
I am really excited for this movie. Although it looks like it might be a repetitive story, I've always been a fan of Iron Man. Looking forward to this!

Jeff Havens
As bad as the force fed second film was and lack of real depth I am terrified. Can Tony Stark redeem himself? This trailer does not do it for me yet....

The Rambling Review: Gangster Squad

           Howdy there! I'm Justin, and I'll be posting here on Simple Minded Movies from time to time. For all of you simple minded moviegoers who may want to go a little deeper into the heart and soul of the art of a film, my Rambling Review segment will be for you. I have a lot to say, and I'll try to make sense of it before I put it out to you guys, but if you like to read reviews on the longer side, you'll(hopefully) pick up what I'm putting down. Here's my first Rambling Review of the movie Gangster Squad:

         
           In the words of Sgt. John O'Mara,“Every man carries a badge”...For WWII veteran O'Mara(Josh Brolin), that badge is the city of Los Angeles. For retired boxer and crime lord Mickey Cohen(Sean Penn), that badge is a desire for money and power. For the writers of Gangster Squad's screenplay, however, that badge appears to be hastily written dialogue and mindless violence.

           Set in 1949 Los Angeles, Gangster Squad turns the City of Angels into a battlefield in which six savvy cops lay down their badges in an attempt to take down the untouchable and seemingly unstoppable mobster Mickey Cohen. Cohen is on a warpath and is set to take control of the US West Coast in typical mob fashion(paying off judges and cops, dealing drugs, and laundering lots of money). However, Sgt. John O'Mara is a cop who can't be bought, and makes this clear by taking down one of Cohen's crackhouses single-handedly. Taking notice of O'Mara's bravery, dedication, and military background(most of which he is not at liberty to discuss), Chief of Police Parker(Nick Nolte) recruits him to put a squad of officers together and wage an underground war against Mickey Cohen's empire.

           Much to the chagrin of his pregnant wife, Connie(Mireille Enos), O'Mara accepts. He then recruits 5 men: Sgt. Jerry Wooters(Ryan Gosling), Officer Coleman Harris(Anthony Mackie), Officer Max Kennard(Robert Patrick), Officer Navidad Ramirez(Michael Pena), and Officer Conway Keeler(Giovanni Ribisi). These men are to leave their badges at home and put their lives on the line to take down Mickey Cohen, and stop his plan of creating a central book in Los Angeles. Will they succeed? Will they all perish in the attempt? Regardless, there will be gunfire and explosions aplenty, as well as plenty of awkward scenes between the fiery redheaded Emma Stone and the hard-bodied, sharply-dressed Ryan Godling, er, Gosling(Who raised his voice an octave in anticipation of his role in this movie).

           Before I begin my review, I will say that I was excited to see this movie. With a strong cast including Josh Brolin, Nick Nolte, and Giovanni Ribisi, as well as the director of Zombieland, Ruben Fleischer, at its helm, I was expecting interesting, if not good, things. I saw the preview for Gangster Squad just after seeing Lawless in theaters last year, which was a movie set in the 30's that I very much enjoyed. As Lawless was a movie about moonshine runners, I was eager to see a movie from a similar era, but seen from the point of view of the law. Again, I was very excited for this movie.

           However, I walked out of the theater after Gangster Squad wanting...more. I felt unfulfilled after seeing this movie. When I go to the theater, I want to leave it with some part of the movie on my mind, be it a quote, or memorable scene, something I can put into my “mental scrapbook” of movies, as it were. But nothing in this movie stuck out to me. I didn't walk out repeating an inspiring quote to myself, or re-living an emotional scene in my mind. There was nothing to keep with me for for the future. I had a ticket stub and that was all.

           When I walk out of a movie feeling this way, I immediately know the problem. Bad writing. And in this movie, it was indeed bad. The dialogue was bland, and nothing the characters said left an impression on me. The scenes with dialogue between two people were just awkward(I'm looking at you, Gosling). Some of them barely contained any lines at all, and seemed to consist mostly of either someone taking a drag of their cigarette, or staring awkwardly into the distance.

           I realized looking back on this movie that there were a lot of action scenes, which, I suppose, is a great way to mask bad writing. If everyone is always shooting at each other, no one has time to talk. However, even the action sequences left me disappointed. There just seemed to be a lot of mindless shooting with no consequences, which, considering the leader of the squad is a special ops trained army veteran, didn't make a lot of sense to me.

           All of this, combined with Ryan Gosling's character choice to speak in falsetto the entire movie, left me disappointed in Gangster Squad. I wanted to leave this movie with my mouth hanging open, and wondering how they could have left me so speechless. Instead, I left it with my wallet hanging open, myself staring into it, and wondering why in the world I hadn't seen Django Unchained yet.

           I can't say this movie was good. However I can't say it was terrible either. I give props where props are due, and I have to give props to most of the cast for doing what they could with such a poorly written script. Josh Brolin played the badass ex-army vet very well, and though I've seen better out of Sean Penn, his role as the crime-lord/boxer was well cast. If you're planning on seeing this movie in theaters, I say wait until it's on Netflix, or you can see it somewhere cheap. There are other movies I would recommend spending twelve bucks on, such as Django Unchained or Silver Linings Playbook. Or if you're still in the mood for mindless gunfire, you could see The Last Stand.

           All in all, my policy on movies is that they are an art form, and you have to see one for yourself to decide what you think of it. Always remember that a review is nothing but that reviewers opinion, so you don't have to agree or disagree with every part of it. If you really wanna know how good or bad this movie is, go see it for yourself, and let me know what you thought.
          Thanks for reading my first rambling review, and until my next, happy viewing.

          

21 Best Movies of the 21st Century That You Probably Haven't Seen.

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Let us know what we missed!

Also don't forget to vote on my next Netflix movie review!

Netflix Review: The Warriors

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CAN YOU DIG IT?!...... Well it would be easier with a shovel.

In a not so far future of New York City, a few hundred groups of guys get together to show off their abs, costumes, and to fight in a way that looks very close to dancing. I just have to wonder how cold they get in the winter.

In all seriousness, The Warriors start off with Cyrus, the leader of the largest gang of New York, gathering all the other gangs of NYC together to propose a city wide truce. Cyrus exclaims that as one large gang, all 60,000 of them could control the city. Nothing would happen in the city without them letting it happen and, best of all, the cops couldn't do a thing, as there are at the most 20,000 of them. During this announcement, Cyrus is shot and killed, everyone panics and scatters. With in the commotion The Warriors are blamed for his death, and now have to travel back home with every gang in NY trying to kill them. Will they make it home? Will they even survive? Will any of them find a shirt to put on?

It's easy to see that The Warriors is a classic cult movie. The style, plot, and storyline is very polarizing. You'll either love it or hate it. Now with every rule there is an exception to the rule that further proves the rule. With that, I was indifferent to the movie. If i was around in 1979, I could see myself there at the midnight premiere, in costume, and not able to shut up about the movie for months. This movie was a first of its kind. The style, the feel, all around atmosphere all started with The Warriors. Unfortunately, being a movie buff that put off seeing this movie for years, I've seen this all before. Nothing really surprised me and nothing made me think "this is amazing!" I still  should say this movie was very well done. When I first heard of this movie I imagined "West Side Story without singing." I was wrong. As I heard more about the movie and what I was missing, I imagined a movie Double Dragon style, a few guys moving through a city beating up anyone that tries to stop them and not moving on until every gang member in that level is defeated. I was wrong on that one too. Early into the night all of the Warriors get split up and have to fend for themselves, all of them running into different types of challenges.

I had a hard time figuring out how to finish this review. The Warriors is a movie that is difficult to sum up with a few sentences. The characters, the plot, the meaning is all too complicated to understand without just seeing it for yourself. This is a movie that sets in, that stays with you. Scenes easily play over in your head hours after the movie is over. This classic is a first of its kind and well worth watching.

Now here is the poll for next weeks Netflix review.



Soon we will be having a few new writers and a couple new segments as well.

HOBO Review: The other day I was walking and gave a hobo some change. He thanked me and we started talking. I come to find out that he has never seen many of the movies that you and I know and love. We made a deal that he would watch a movie and write a review for the blog and in return, I would give him half of a turkey on rye. He asked for a whole turkey and rye, but I'm no sucker, I bartered.



Also a friend of mine is a very talented writer and a has a wide and, in my opinion, an amazing taste in television. So here is the preview logo of SMM's new Television segment.



Also expect a few guest writers and more lists!

21 Greatest Villains of the 21st Century

Did we miss any? Let us know who you think should have made the list.

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