2014: Bonus: Planes: Fire & Rescue

Planes: Fire & Rescue

Genre: Animation

Main Players: Voices of Dane Cook, Ed Harris, Julie Bowen

General Gist: The second Planes movie where Dusty trains to be a firefighter after getting injured and isn't able to race anymore.

Tiff's Take: 
I didn't see the first Planes so I was going into this one sort of blind and I can't really compare it to the first one.  I went with some kids that were pretty darn excited to see it though.  

From the kids' perspective, this was a hit for the 4 year old boy who is a Planes die hard fan.  It was an entertaining one for the 9 year old boy who was once a Cars die hard fan.  It was a little long for the 6 year old girl who has never been a big fan of either Cars or Planes. 

From my perspective, it was entertaining with fun parts throughout but a little on the long side.  It was also surprisingly serious for a cartoon.  There were a few heavy subjects that might be a little much for sensitive, younger kids.  The original Cars is still probably my favorite.

Tiff's Rate: Matinee

2013: Bonus: Identity Thief

Identity Thief

Genre: Comedy

Main Players: Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy

General Gist:  A Colorado guy's identity is stolen by a woman in Florida.  When he realizes the police aren't going to do anything about it he goes to find her himself. 

Tiff's Take: 
I had high hopes for this movie.  The previews looked hilarious and I knew it was a movie I could get Russ to go with me.  We both love Jason Bateman so that was a plus.  And I love almost any of Melissa McCarthy's roles.  So date night it was! 

I have to say we were both a little disappointed.  It was a little slow at times and a little longer then I think was necessary.  There were some scenes that seemed like they could have just been taken out.  Both actors were good and funny but definitely not either of their best movies.  That aside, there were some really funny parts.  Being Modern Family fans, we did enjoy the few scenes with Eric Stonestreet (Cam) though.  But overall, just not quite enough funny.
 
So, although I had a great date, it was another excuse for Russ to say, "I don't really like going to movies".  Oh well.  You win some, you lose some.  And I'll keep bugging him to go with me every time I can.   

Tiff's Rate: Matinee

2013: Bonus: Hansel & Gretel:Witch Hunters

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters

Genre: Action, Fantasy, Horror

Main Players: Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, Famke Janssen

General Gist:  Spin on the fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel

Deb's Take: 
This was definitely a spin off of the story of Hansel and Gretel.  Nothing like a fairy tale.  I went to this with the hubby, we were a little skeptical, and my husband was even more shocked that I suggested this movie.  Last year I really enjoyed the fairy tale spin off movies.  (see my best and worst for 2012), figured this may fall into those same categories.

This one was a little different.  Lots of gore, (which in 3D is very interesting) a Sci-fi sort of twist (which isn't my favorite) but I was sort of pleasantly surprised.  The acting was pretty good.  I wasn't really familiar with the 3 main players, but they all were great in their parts, (and for all you men...who doesn't love a girl in leather?) I was most impressed with Famke Janssen, she did evil well!  I liked how the story was actually a story and not just a gory witch hunt.  There were some funny parts and some suspenseful parts, and lots of gore, but all in all I was unexpectedly surprised that I liked it.  I can't give it a top notch rating, because by no means did the movie move me in anyway, but I enjoyed my date!

Deb's Rate: Matinee