The Immigrant is one of the best films I’ve seen this year!

Seldom does one see a truly moving and special film, and that is exactly what The Immigrant is!

I visited Ellis Island last in 2011.  I had been there before, but it’s just the kind of place that I never tire of visiting.  Yes, it’s a museum, but I always leave there feeling very pensive and wondering about those early immigrants who came to the USA to build a new life, how they were treated and what became of them.  Did they make it big?  Did they find gainful employment?  Did they have families already in the US to help them?  Were young ladies forced into prostitution in order to eek out a meager living? Did they die of a myriad of illnesses contracted on the ship or die from influenza, dysentery, typhoid etc rampant on the streets of New York in the 1920s.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Return to the Big Screen!
This sweet movie made me feel extremely nostalgic, as my 30 year year old daughter was just a kid when the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie was released. In fact she grew up with the lovable pizza eating grand master turtles. Three decades on, I can unashamedly say that even without having a kid to use as an excuse to go and see the sequel, I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful 3D movie.

City of Violence is a must see Thriller

The movie starts in the bloody and violent Apartheid era, where a young boy is seen fleeing for his life after his father is necklaced and burnt to death.

The movie quickly fast forwards to the present day, where a young white girl is found brutally murdered on a Cape Town beach. Two police officers, (played by Forest Whitaker and Orlando Bloom), each carrying their own emotional baggage,  are assigned to investigate the case, which leads them on a journey though the crime ridden townships of Cape Town to the luxurious mansions of the uber wealthy.  

Boyhood – A Very Special Movie

Boyhood is one of those unforgettable movies.  It’s the epic journey of a young boy’s life, shot over a mammoth 11 year period.

The movie begins in 2002 when Mason Evans (played by Ellar Coltraine) is 6 years old.  He and his older sister, Samantha (played by Lorelei Linklater), live in Texas with their divorced mom, Olivia (Played by Patricia Arquette).  

Olivia wants to return to University so she can complete her studies and get a good job so she can give her children and herself a better life.

The children are not at all happy as they don’t want to leave their friends and familiar surroundings, and little Mason is very worried that when their dad wants to visit them, he wont know where they are.

And so the journey begins. 

Lucy is a Mind-blowing Science Fiction Thriller

Lucy is a Science Fiction movie that will leave you thinking “HUH???”.  It’s an excellent good movie in that it is a Sci-fi thriller that will keep you guessing and chewing your nails right till its spectacular,  but very weird ending!  It will challenge your mind to its utmost, that is for sure!

The movie centres on Lucy, a young American girl, studying in Taiwan.  She is tricked by her drug mule boyfriend into delivering a briefcase filled with drugs. Her instructions are to ask for a Mr. Jang at a hotel reception, but unbeknownst to Lucy the briefcase is filled with a priceless new synthetic drug called CPH4, and she is headed for a heap of trouble.

Hercules is an Epic Movie!

In the same vein as the old Ben Hur type movies, Hercules is a mythical adventure of epic proportions.

I was captivated from start to finish, and whilst I don’t really like these blood and gore, hand to hand combat, heaps of dead people all over the place movies, I really enjoyed it.

Hercules, (Played by Dwayne Johnson), said to be the son of a mortal woman and Zeus,  Mythical King of the Gods, has proven his worth by completing 12 impossible labours, but he is betrayed by Hera, wife of Zeus, and believes that in a fit of insanity he murdered his wife and children. He has been tortured by visions and chosen to live his life as a paid mercenary.  Joined by Amphiaraus,  who is skilled with a spear and able to see into the future, Autolycus, a knife throwing ex thief, Tydeus, a warrior who never speaks, Atalanta, the beautiful Amazon archer, and his fast talking nephew, Iolaus, Hercules is a force to be reckoned with in Ancient Greece.

To fully appreciate this  movie you need to be Jewish as it features a lot of Jewish shtick only a Jewish audience would understand, but having said that, it’s a heartwarming and extremely humorous movie that anyone with a sense of humour and a heart would enjoy.

This comedy drama was written and directed by the leading actor, Zach Braff, and tells the story of Aidan Bloom, a struggling actor, who is married to the gorgeous but troubled Sarah (played by Kate Hudson) The couple has 2 kids, Grace and Tucker.  

The kids are attending a religious Jewish school, which Grace loves and Tucker tolerates.  Aidan and Sarah haven’t completely bought into the whole “Jewish thing”, as they are really Jewish by birth only, but respect Sarah’s views and religious convictions.

Bad Neighbours is wickedly funny!

Bad Neighbours is an adult comedy that is great for a good laugh.  There’s nothing intellectual or thought provoking about this movie.  Its just pure entertainment for adults and the older teens.  

Mac (played by Seth Rogan) and Kelly (played by Rose Byrne) Radner are a recently married couple, who are adjusting to life with a baby daughter. Although they adore their daughter, they envy their friends’ carefree lifestyle.  Then… as if they are not dealing with enough… new neighbours move into the vacant house next door. But, these are not ordinary neighbours!  Nope!  They are horrified to learn that  Delta Psi Beta, a college fraternity known for their outrageous parties,  is moving in and  the fraternity's leaders, Teddy Sanders (Played by Zac Ephron) and Pete Regazolli (Played by Dave Franco), are aiming to  join Delta Psi's Hall of Fame by throwing a huge, raucous, anything goes end-of-the-year party.

Transformers: Age of Extinction is a real treat for Transformers fans!

The fourth movie in the Transformers series is an exciting science fiction action film, written by Ehren Kruger and directed by Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg.

The movie takes place some years after the battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons in Chicago, and the US Government has labeled the Autobots as fugitives.  The CIA has a special task force hunting down any surviving Autobots and eliminating them.

Meanwhile Joshua Joyce (played by Stanley Tucci) has discovered a metal called Transformium, which is the lifeblood of the Transformers,  and his company KSI has created a Transformer named Galvatron, using the data retrieved from Megatron’s head.  If you are a Transformers follower, you will know exactly what I’m talking about, but if you aren’t, don’t despair, this episode can easily stand alone.

A Million Ways to Die in the West – A silly comedy!

If you are into stupid silly that has no real merit but will have you rolling in the aisles, this movie is for you! The film is a parody on the old Wild West, with an impressive cast and a sweet storyline.

The film is for a select audience. If you have an advanced sense of humour and don’t enjoy slapstick or silliness, you won’t enjoy this show. But, there are so many classic lines in this movie that I laughed my butt off from start to finish, and in this seriously stressful life we lead, I needed that! Nothing to think about, no lingering questions, no crying, no wondering… just laughter!