Quick Reviews: Spies of the Summer

Photo Credit: Mission Impossible Rogue Nation / Paramount Pictures

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team are in a bit of pickle. Head of the C.I.A. Alan Hunley (Alec Baldwin) is gung-ho about shutting down Impossible Missions Force for its unorthodox approach of taking down the U.S. biggest enemies. Except Hunt has more than a hunch about a bigger, more volatile spy organization named the Syndicate - a system the C.I.A. does not believe exists. After the IMF is disbanded and absorbed by Hunley, Hunt is branded a fugitive out to incite MI6 agents who have gone rogue.

Coming back from the fourth installment, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation launches a new director this fifth edition into new heights. Favorite players like Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner and Ving Rhames return as smoothly as ever, and Cruise just keeps getting better with age. Stealing the show and rightfully so is Rebecca Ferguson, as Ilsa Faust who is a MI6 agent and Syndicate operative keeping Hunt on his toes. Captivating and capable, she is simply an awesome, refreshing counterpart. Her and Cruise's chemistry was the best of the summer because their relationship played well to the story.

Entertaining, as well as giving a layered plot, the franchise continues to grow and not disappoint. The film is far beyond just providing memorable action sequences but giving them a supporting context with the story. I'm not sure the Mission Impossible films have ever suffered from a true dud; there's something to enjoy in all of them. When so many series struggle to make a successful sequel, let alone fourth or fifth sequel, this one goes all out, not losing its excitement and interest.

Favorite Pixar Objects

Taking a stroll down Pixar lane, their animated creations have filled our childhoods with so many wonderful movies. When I think of their filmography over the years, it's hard to believe how they've turned ordinary objects into such beloved, popular characters.

Thinking about their movies lately made me wonder what objects stood out the most - not necessarily characters like Woody from Toy Story or the automobiles from Cars- but the extra little props they use which makes a huge impact on their story or are just plain neat to look at. It made me wonder what my favorite objects in Pixar movies are.Here are my top five! What are your favorites? Let me know in the comments below!

10 Favorite Songs From The Walking Dead

One of the things I love most about The Walking Dead is the music. Originally composed scores by Bear McCreary, and songs by musicians like Sharon Von Etten, compliment some of the most gruesome scenes.  With intensity and pure suspense, his scores let us know when dangerous enemies are ready to attack, anti-heroes are holding onto their sanity, and the group is facing adversities ahead.

Sometimes it's difficult to listen to the songs on their own and not think of some of the more painful instances we lost a beloved character or an obstacle changed the course for the group's survival. The music itself is a character of the show, and I thought it was time to highlight ten of my favorite songs from The Walking Dead. (Spoilers ahead)

Artwork of Summer 2015 Movies

Marie Bergeron

Summer is coming to a close, and with it, a string of movies that were both hits and misses as the box office. Check out a collection of beautiful posters of the go-big-or-go-home flicks we caught at the theaters. What was your favorite artwork of the summer?

14 Actors I'd Like to See on TCM Summer Under The Stars

Turner Classic Movie channel airs classic films from the inception of cinema to the early 1980s - uncut and commercial free. In August every day is dedicated to a unique movie star with a 24-hour marathon. August 1st may center around Vivien Leigh, August 2nd Elvis Presley, and so on.

My mother raised me with Classic Hollywood film, but mainstream entertainment is a passion too. It's nearly impossible to divide which era of Hollywood is favorable or better because I "live" in both worlds. This often brings up the question: which actors from today, or near-today's, film generation may be featured in the future.

Currently, TCM's selection of films revolves around old Hollywood with varying degrees of recent movies that earned recognition at the Academy Awards. As I grow older, I hope their collection expands including modern films which still upholds what it means to be a time-honored classic and is worthy enough to be on their programming. Tons of favorite actors I wish could be included on this list but that would make it miles long. To start off: here are 14 modern actors I'd like to see featured on a future TCM's Summer Under the Stars.

Scott Pilgrim VS the World (2010)

Scott Pilgrim piggybacks off of his roommate Wallace (Kiernan Cullen) while dating Knives (Ellen Wong), a young seventeen year old girl. Jobless, he sorta has one goal in life as a bassist for Sex Bo-ombs, which struggles landing a record deal let alone fans (except for Knives). Inconsiderate and a bit selfish, his limited dreams change when he meets an elusive and intriguing Ramona Flowers (Mary-Elizabeth Winstead) at a party.

Like all dream girls there's something more to Flowers than meets the eye. She's had a rough past falling in love with all the wrong people. No one has moved through life without carrying a little emotional baggage. No matter how much we think we may have moved on from an ex, some part of history boils onto the next chapter of our lives. Every character in this world deals with rejection at some point. The major problem here is that Flowers' exes return to haunt her and challenge any guy who steps up to the plate.

Only their brawls aren't down and dirty back-alley fist fights. Instead, video games serves as the unique backdrop of their duels. Player One is Scott Pilgrim. And, Player Two, is one of Ramona's exes. Each one has special super-heroic abilities. To name a few, Matthew Patel (Satya Bhabha) has the ability to levitate and throw fireballs, and Lucas Lee (Chris Evans) is a mega action movie star with super strength. Each smackdown is more epic than the last, dueling each other until the other one is defeated. Pilgrim must defeat them all in order to win over Ramona - that's a given. A surprise twist to the blockbuster physicality is that his wins also brings Flowers and Pilgrim face to face with their own paths as a couple and individualky.

Based on Bryan Lee O'Malley graphic novels, Scott Pilgrim versus the World delivers an epic mash-up of comedy, action, and romance. Director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) tremendously lays out the comic book with absolute tenacity. Working on the script for five years, his passion for the story pays off. For a film filled with so much technical intensity and pop culture nerdiness, he packs it with action, emotional sincerity, and humor. The video games styled assaults are massively entertaining. Sex Bo-ombs music may not be popular but the movie's soundtrack kicks ass. There's a little bit of everything, and the story stays balanced and well-choreographed. With the exception of few other graphic novel adaptations, I've never quite seen a "young adult" movie with so much firepower and creativity. 

A dramatic dose of flash with the video game sequences and killer soundtrack ups the style of the film, which is visually stunning. But the films' energetic style of each duel also grounds as endearing backdrops to the characters - each are dealing with insecurities. With the right cast behind Wright, Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and a host of equally-deserved-of being named supporting players, endear their characters as they explore the complications of being and falling in love.

In 2010, when the film originally was released into theaters, it became an underground online hit among movie bloggers. Those who didn't see the movie was doing powerful, original small budget productions a huge disservice. Stepping up to watch it five years later, my thoughts are a no-brainer: this one's a knock-out.

Love, Rosie (2014)

Photo Credit: Love Rosie / Lionsgate

When have you missed the perfect moment to tell someone that you love them? It could be a once in a lifetime or every day opportunity. For inseparable best friends Rosie (Lily Collins) and Alex (Sam Claflin), their true feelings take a backseat to fear and juvenile naivete. During their escape out of London to pursue college in America, Rosie gets pregnant as Alex (who is NOT the father) chases his dreams across the pond. As they grow up, the distance between them becomes a hindrance and ally.

Love, Rosie, like many romantic comedies, explores when two people are a perfect fit but can't or won't admit how much they love each other. Over the span of twelve years from teenage-dom to adulthood, something always tarnishes that little amount of courage that rises to the occasion. Rather than delving down the dramatic route, the film is a surprising upbeat and tender procrastinator of happy-ever-after. Balancing the timeline between ages and locations, the characters and conflicts bounce off of each other with humor and charm.

With a few credits to his name, director Christian Ditter adapts Cecilia Ahern's novel to the best of his ability. (I haven't read the original book yet.) From the beginning it's obvious boy and girl love each other. Instead of selling us the ending we know will happen eventually, his direction allows the tension of when-will-they flow with ease. A great credit of the films' light-hearted atmosphere also goes to Christian Rein. He does a beautiful job with the handheld cinematography, capturing the characters as they muscle through triumphs and heartbreak.

Where the film truly succeeds is the connection between Collins and Claflin. Together, they gel so well - at some points, I didn't know if I was shipping the actors or the characters. They are not on the screen long before we believe how close their connection is. As much as the film is about the duo, more attention lies on Rosie whose dreams change as she becomes a single-mother. Collins offers a charming performance grounding Rosie with integrity and sincerity. Having starred in several films so far, her modest work is something I look forward to. As well, Claflin is heart-warming, and honestly, delicious. Let's just have more of him, please! They are both on the cusp of great work ahead, as they have the on-screen charisma and talent to take them far.

Who isn't in the mood for a fluffy love story? This film not perfect, but it's a surprisingly enjoyable experience that summons the feels if you allow them to arrive. Being in the midst of a Finnick O'Dair mode helped my enthusiasm to take a chance on. Now, I'm in full Claflin and Collins mode, and, ready to watch again. But first, I couldn't just let this movie go by without sharing how much I liked it. Okay, loved.

Rating: ★★★
Have you seen Love Rosie? What did you think?