Batman vs. Superman

I felt like I needed to see this in theatres despite noticeably mixed reviews. I like Zach Snyder's stuff generally, so I thought I'd give it a shot. Ben Affleck I actually enjoyed as an aging Batman, perhaps past his prime. Henry Cavill is a rather unfeeling Superman, but acceptable. Dude is at least shredded up, as is Ben. Amy Adams is rock solid as Lois Lane, Laurence Fishbourne is underutilized as Perry White. Great casting for Jeremy Irons as Alfred and Holly Hunter as a random Senator. Jesse Eisenberg I generally hate, but he's acceptable as Lex Luther. The story weaves a tale about how it's possible to turn Batman vs. Superman since both heroes refuse to believe either are as good as they try to be. It's frustrating to believe that two heroes as great as Batman and Superman could screw up so badly that they'd want to fight and destroy each other, but here we are. Bottom Line: 6.8 out of 10. Entertaining and solid acting for the most part, but the script and plot fall short. Gal Gadot is excellent for Wonder Woman and I can't believe I didn't add that earlier. Things are looking up for the Justice League at least.

Brooklyn

Brooklyn is a simple, but beautiful movie. It's great on all the basics. Brooklyn follows the journey of Eilis (pronounced A-Lish) from Ireland, where she is quiet and working Sundays in a grocer/bakery, to America. We follow her as she grows tremendously as a person. She starts dating and goes to night classes. She falls in love with an Italian plumber named Tony. I want to tell very little about the story because I don't want to ruin any part of this movie. The movie is gorgeous with amazing shots of New York and Ireland. Saoirse Ronan is unbelievable in her first big-time role. She's outstanding in conveying feelings, but maintaining her Irish stoicism. Bottom Line: 8.8 out of 10. It's a simple, beautiful, and well done film. There is no weaknesses in my opinion other than the fact that nothing "WOWS" you. It just plays out slowly and beautifully.

Vacation: Ed Helms isn't Chevy Chase

I really enjoyed Vacation, the movie picking up where Rusty Griswold has a family of his own. Ed Helms is Rusty, Christina Applegate is his wife, and there are wonderful cameos from Chris Hemsworth particularly and Beverly DeAngelo, Norman Reedus, Ron Livingston, Charlie Day, Keegan Michael-Key, and Chevy Chase. The tale jumps into Rusty's life where things are boring suburbia heaven and he wants to go on that magical trip to Wallyworld made 30 years earlier with his own family. There are a bunch of really funny gags and a few recurring ones that are great as well. The story is very similar to one we've seen before, but it's much edgier and racier. I love that they reintroduced the filthy mouthed kid in this one to a whole new generation. Hemsworth steals the show for his cameo. HE really just wants to show of his huge abs... Bottom Line: 7.7 out of 10, particularly if you're a fan of the other Vacation movies. It's a worthy remake that really has enough funny stuff going on to carry the same story you've seen many times before. Worth watching for sure.

Warriors Looking for 73 and Why I'm an Old, Bitter Man About It

The Golden State Warriors are knocking on the door of 73-9 for an NBA season. Amidst all the studies showing all the travel and back-to-backs are worse than other sports and hard on the players we have a team looking to break what seemed unbreakable. A team that's perfectly adapted to what the league gives you. NO handchecks or contact on the perimeter and great passing and shooting. It's a team that would be successful in any era, but I feel like that 1995-97 Bulls team, if played in the 90's, would beat the Warriors. I'm not sure about this era, but I still think they'd win in a seven game series since Michael Jordan in that stage of his career never lost a series. The Warriors are a great team featuring the best shooter, and probably another top ten shooter of all-time with Curry and Thompson. Draymond Green is VERY underrated and so versatile it's always impressive to see him play. He defends larger players, sometimes the offense runs through him, and he hits 3's, like just about everyone on the team. Their second unit is VERY underrated with Shaun Livingston and Leandro Barbosa never allowing the other team to breathe as two veteran point guards that control the tempo and essentially guarantee a lead won't slip away while their out there. Bogut in a reduced role offers a VERY good defensive big who also is still an excellent passer in the post. Andre Igoudala has to be the most overqualified role player ever as in his prime with the 76ers he was a top ten player. They move the ball so well and Curry can get off a shot in a phone booth while being defended. They move without the ball incredibly well too. Mo Speights and Festus Ezeli gives them two more bigs to throw if a team tries to rough it up on them. I still think Jordan, Harper, Pippen, Kukoc, and Rodman with Kerr, Longley, THE MAYOR (Freddy Hoiberg), Randy Brown, Bill Wennington, Judd Buechler (THIS IS ALL FROM MEMORY BY THE WAY) and whoever I have forgotten would win in a seven game series. The significantly bigger guards would limit Curry's shots, though he can pull-up from 35 feet with accuracy akin to most player's open jumpers. I feel like the Bulls wouldn't need to utilize their bench much, but that bench could hold it down in short stretches when the starters rest. Rodman on Green would be interesting since Rodman rarely spent time on the perimeter, so that does fascinate me. I also wonder if 90's rules vs. 2010's rules would differ the outcome greatly or not? This has been a random process of typing thoughts down, but that's where I'm at with this. Hopefully the Warriors lose on Wednesday night.