Movie Review: "TMNT"

OK, if you are a true Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan you can easily get over the fact that yeah, by nature, this movie was pretty cheesy. I definitely enjoyed this movie in spite of this cheesiness though. Plenty of action and lots of comic relief just like the originals. And did I mention the CG, wow, gorgeous eye candy. It’s amazing that CG has come so far now that they purposely make the CG look more cartoonish.

I was expecting for this movie to be just a modern day version of the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie but it wasn’t at all. It actually takes place after all the other TMNT movies. Since the last movie the turtles have apparently been on a hiatus from crime fighting as a team. At the beginning of this movie you see Michelangelo running a party throwing business, Donatello is an at home tech support operator, Raphael is secretly moonlighting as a armored crime fighter in the midnight hours, and Leonardo is off in South America on a mission given to him by master Splinter to better his leadership skills of the turtle group. The movie wastes no time jumping right in to the action of course. They are quickly thrust back into action as there are stone monsters with the apparent intent of overthrowing the city causing all kinds of problems of which, of course, the turtles must stop.

Villain wise the movie was kind of lame but to be honest it was still a really entertaining movie. I was just excited to see the Ninja Turtles back together again. The voice actors did a really good job at capturing the spirits of the original turtles and I felt that this movie certainly was not an insult to either of the original two Ninja Turtle movies as the third installment back in 93’ was. I give this movie a 3.5 out of 5 stars and am genuinely excited that the end of the movie leaves it open for more Ninja Turtle movies and a possible return of the Shredder!!

Movie Review: "Catch a Fire"

Last night I watched the new DVD release Catch a Fire. It's a very touching true story based in Africa about about a young African guy, Patrick (played by a not so well know actor Derek Luke), who's life is torn apart by the South African government and in particular an officer named Nic Vos who is played by Tim Robbins (the guy from Shawshank Redemption). Patrick is accused of being a terrorist and held a tortured by Nic Vos for what I would guess was several weeks. After such extreme abuse Patrick realizes that he needs to do something about the atrocities this South African government is doing to his people and ironically becomes a terrorist. The plot was not at all overwhelming or Hollywoodized. It was a very simple movie and probably could have been developed a little further (The plot jumps forward sometimes leaving you wondering what just happened) but I liked that they kept the story true rather than adding in a lot of things that really didn't happen, for the sole purpose of selling a few extra tickets.

The main point this movie tries to make is "WHO" the terrorist is, is all relative to who is passing the judgment. The South African government refers to these individuals as terrorists but when the South African government is later changed they are called hero's. It makes you realize that the terrorists in the middle east today view themselves no differently. In their minds they are heroes.

Give this movie a shot. Its not some crazy action thriller or anything like that but it does show you some of the atrocities that used to take place in South Africa and brings up some very valid philosophical points. I rate this movie 4 out of 5 stars.

Why, Hello!!!!

Welcome everyone! My name is Ryan; nickname is Ryno (Rhino). I am a critic of EVERYTHING!! I find that everything can be improved upon (with the exception of my wonderful fiancé and amazing family). Whatever it is, be it food, computers, movies, electronics, pretty much anything you can think of there is always something to improve. We all know that NOTHING can be perfect yet perfection seems to be the driving force of all these things. I utterly love this drive for perfection. It’s no doubt what keeps me going every day and what made me decide to start this blog.

I know there happens to be a million (or hundred million) blogs out there but my goal is provide insightful, short, to-the-point reviews that are entertaining to read! I’m a big computer geek, I absolutely love to cook, I'm a huge fan of the movies, I enjoy brewing and drinking beer, and the list goes on and on and on so needless to say I am not limiting the scope of my blog to any one topic. In other words if you are looking for a blog that focuses on one particular topic in extreme detail you should leave now; but if you are looking for a place with fun, informative, perceptive observations with regards to a multitude of topics then you have come to the right place. I have always been one of those people that know a lot about a little versus knowing a little about a lot and therefore that’s the way I’m going to keep my blog. Please, please, please give me all the feedback you like! As a critic of many things I don’t expect to go un-criticized myself. So without further adieu please sit back, relax, kick up your feet even, and enjoy my blog!