John in KC

I hadn’t heard a word about Cloud Atlas until the six minute, convoluted as all get out “trailer” hit for the film back in July. As I stated in a comment section for that trailer then, it seemed like a giant confusing cluster of a mess with no through story. In shorter form I disliked it. It’s rare I watch trailers much these days. I like to be as surprised as possible by films. That six minute trailer reminded me of another reason why, I walked into Cloud Atlas with a chip on my shoulder toward a film that seemed like a mess. 

Cloud Atlas last nearly three hours. The fact that it took a six minute trailer, that didn’t really tell you much of anything about the film should have been a sign that this was an “epic.” The sad part is, the story ends up selling the film short.

What is it? 

A magnificent bastard of psycho, sexual, southern trailer park fried thriller that pulls no punches. Killer Joe, which had its North American debut at SXSW 2012 back in March has been one of my most anticipated films of the year. A friend of mine saw the film at SX and hasn't been able to stop talking about it since. I was also given the impression that there was no way in hell it was going to be get anything less than an NC-17.

What is it?: A reboot of the Spider-Man franchise just a mere ten years after Sam Raimi’s trilogy got started, five since it ended with Spider-Man 3. A New cast, new director it’s essentially a whole new Spidey. Many felt it was “too soon” after the disappointing third, and ultimately final entry in Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy to completely reboot the franchise. Is it? Well more yes than no.

Is it any good? Ugh what an unnecessary disappointment.

What is it?: Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter or ALVH from this point forward for short. I read an article the other day saying its one of those ideas your either fully on-board with or simply not. I tend to agree. Given the group this was coming from I had muted hopes for what I was getting into. To break it down its a fantastical take on the history of the 16th president of the United States of America.

Not so much of a "review" here as some observations of the event itself.

Traffic and parking were a nightmare. Mix with short thirty minute sets from all but the three "headliners" and you likely missed damn near half the bill if you weren't in the vicinity of Livestrong Park several hours before doors opened.

Livestrong Park Is a beautiful facility, for Sporting KC games. It is a terrible concert venue.

What is it?: A horror thriller following six “extreme” tourist as they venture into Prypiat. Prypiat is likely better known as the town that the workers of the Chernobyl power plant lived in prior to its nuclear meltdown on April 26, 1986. Naturally the six and their tour guide encounter mutated freaks, or are they?, that start picking off the group.

Is it any good? I have a large interest in human disasters.

What is it?: The third film in the now 14 year old Men In Black film Franchise. This outing introduces time travel to the world of MIB seeing Agent J (Will Smith) traveling back to 1969 days before the Apollo 11 shuttle launch to save Agent K (the elder Tommy Lee Jones, the younger 1969 version Josh Brolin) from being assassinated.

Is it any good? It's a crowd pleaser finely cut from the typical big budget summer cloth.