Five Disagreements With Rotten Tomatoes

When it comes to movies it seem's everyone's a critic, am i right? Well let's have a look at five movies that I 100% disagree with the critics via Rotten Tomatoes.

1) Gravity-RT 97% 

Okay, let me start by saying a few positives, the visual effects were stunning, directing was well done (Cuaron won Academy Award for Best Director) I guess you can say the acting was good being about 4 characters. George Clooney, and Sandra Bullock are the two leads and for the short time Clooney is in it he's his usual sarcastic perfect acting self and Bullock is a class act actress. The part I have a problem with is the plot, I thought it was basically Cast Away in space, but not as good. In my opinion it was an average film and I'm happy to say it was $3 movie night at school and it didn't cost me full price. 

Magnum Review 6.8/10

2) American Gangster-RT 80%

American Gangster is about the story of Frank Lucas(Denzel Washington), who comes into power after his boss a prominent Harlem gangster dies. Lucas smuggles heroin into America using military planes during the Vietnam War. It's until an overdose of "Blue Magic" (the name of the heroin Lucas pushes) catches the attention of New Jersey Detective Richie Roberts(Russell Crowe) who does all he can to see that justice is served. Other cast members include, Cuba Gooding Jr, Idris Elba, Josh Brolin, Carla Gugino, and TI. In my opinion this movie has a star studded cast that fit perfectly together, and a plot that is riveting, and drama filled. Ridley Scott directs/ A film where Denzel and Crowe play off each other as enemies in a most perfect way, which leaves the audience not sure who to root for.  

Magnum Review 9.0/10

3) Pain & Gain-RT 50% 

Are they kidding me? Like yeah I get this movie is no Best Picture nominee but a 50 c'mon! I know Michael Bay is known for what the critics consider below average films Armageddon being one which I personally think is better than what critics make it out to be. Anyways back to Pain & Gain, Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Ed Harris star in a sarcastic, funny, true story about a few juice heads looking to scam people and make it rich...they almost succeed just almost. Also in my opinion The Rocks best performance. I think this film deserves more credit then it gets. See it.

Magnum Review 8.0/10

4) Flight-RT 78%
Yeah I know what you're thinking another movie with Denzel Washington in it but I can justify it don't worry. Flight is a very powerful film, that shows people the true power of addiction and how it can control a person life and how it really takes everything you have to overcome it. After a plane crash that led to a few casualties, Captain Whitaker (Washington) an alcoholic is being put on trial by the National Transportation Safety Board(NTSB) for alcohol, drug, and manslaughter charges. Alongside Denzel in this film is Don Cheadle, John Goodman, and Kelly Reilly.  

Magnum Review 8.8/10

5) A Bronx Tale-RT 96%
I know I'm probably going to get some heat for this one, but give me a chance. De Niros directorial debut is by no means a flop, the film is well directed, well casted and the plot is strong. The main problem I have with is not really the film as a whole but that Rotten Tomatoes gives it the same rating as Goodfellas, In my opinion A Bronx Tale cant hold a candle to Goodfellas, but like I said I know I'm probably going to get some heat for this critique. Ill leave it at this A Bronx Tale, good...not great.

Magnum Review 7.8/10

Trailers To Each Film:
Gravity  American Gangster  Pain & Gain  Flight  A Bronx Tale

Argo Fuck Yourself

Best picture winning film Argo is at the top of my list for must see films. Ben Affleck's third feature length film (Gone Baby Gone, The Town) earned him a Golden Globe for Best Director as well as the Golden Globe for Best Picture of the Year in the Drama category. Affleck did not win the Academy Award for Best Director (Ang Lee, Life of Pi) which was a fantastic movie, KGJets has a nice article on it. Now I don''t have a problem with Affleck not winning, what I do have a problem with is the fact that he didn't even get a nomination. Never the less the film took home the award that is in the spotlight the most, and mind you it was up against some real heavy hitters, Life of Pi, Zero Dark Thirty, Lincoln, Silver Linings Playbook, Django Unchained, Les Miserables, as well as Amour, and Beast of the Southern Wild. Argo is a brilliant film with a cast that was second to none, a true story with highs and lows tons of drama and one of the happiest endings you'll see

Now I'm going to get into a minor plot recap, without spewing to many spoilers. The years 1979, Tehran Iran, the United States Embassy, its getting overran but angry Iranians. These Iranians were angered at the US because during their own revolution The Shah had cancer and was receiving treatment for it in the United States, thus pissing off an already pissed off country. The radicals decided to storm the Embassy and take American civilians hostage, and would not release them until the Shah was sent back to Iran. During the chaos six Americans managed to escape and able to find refuge in the Canadian Ambassadors home.

Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) is a CIA agent, an exfils specialist, exfils short for extraction, basically making Mendez the best at getting people out of places the don't belong. After a few conferences with high level CIA personal, it appears no ideas seem to be plausible in order to safely extract the six escaped Americans.While on the phone with his son and idea sparks in Mendez head, an idea so crazy that it just might work.

Mendez contacts the head of his division Jack O'Donnell (Bryan Cranston) and fills him in on this idea. The idea is to contact real Hollywood personnel to create a "fake" movie in the hopes that Mendez can fly to Iran use the six Americans as part of his "film crew" hop on plane and bring them home. John Chambers (John Goodman) was an award winning makeup artist at the time and has worked with Mendez in the past was first called upon about the project. After Chambers was on board they needed a trusted well know, well respected film producer, Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin) fit the role perfectly. The trio began rummaging through scripts to use for their "movie" Tony seems to find the perfect fit a Star Wars knock off that takes place in the desert titled...Argo. Team sets up an entire production company, publicizes the film, hypes it up in various ads in Hollywood magazines and papers, the group goes as far to have a full reading of the script at the Beverly Hills Hotel. During this scene in the film is where we run into the ongoing joke of the movie when Siegel is approached by a reporter and doesn't like the questions hes asking him and proceeds to tell him to fuck himself in a sly way.

After the movie is green lit its crunch time for Mendez and the CIA, making fake identifications, background stories, and figuring out a way to bypass one of the most intense security stricken airports at the time. While all this is going on Iranian kids and women are sifting through the thousands of shredded documents to match up the six missing Americans faces using their government profiles. eventually Mendez gets to the Canadian ambassadors house...the rest is up to you to watch!

Argo is a movie that is not only a staple in American film with its Best Picture win, but its also a part of American history a big one at that. Its a film that is what you would consider a roller coaster ride, but not like your old wooden rickety coasters, a modern day steel track smooth ride. The movie is emotional in every aspect because there is such a strong connection with the characters and you just don't want to see them fail. Argo...best picture worthy one hundred percent.

Magnum Rating 9.6/10

Jennifer Lawrence The Real Life Girl On Fire

 I don't know about you but when I see Katniss Everdeen fire an arrow its extremely hot. The Hunger Game Star, Oscar winner, big chested Jennifer Lawrence is just about the hottest thing to hit the big screen over the last few years. At 23 years old shes accomplished more in Hollywood then some of the most seasoned actresses, and she does it in style, with her fiery attitude and great sense of humor, and lets be real shes fully hot, a complete babe. There's no wonder everyone wants her in their next film. Not to mention the girl can act. Three out of the last four years shes been nominated for an Academy award. She has won one for her role as psycho, crazy, over the top Tiffany Maxwell in Silver Linings Playbook. Her role in American Hustle got her a nominee for best supporting actress, playing Rosalyn Rosenfeld (inserted clip) a ditsy but yet oh so lovable character who rounds out the spectacular cast that was selected for the film. Going back to the "girl on fire" as shes call in "The Hunger Games", and "The Hunger Games Catching Fire", in back to back years we get to see Katniss return to the screen to finish up The Hunger Games trilogy in a two part finale.

 On top of being a great actress on screen Jennifer's work off screen is second to none when it comes to helping others, she is involved in various charities and organizations to benefit others. So if you're into a gal who's not afraid to speak their mind, do what she wants, fills out the perfect bikini, helps others and oh yeah can kill it on the big screen keep watching Jlaw and you certainly will not be disappointed.

Magnum Rating:
Skills: 8.5/10
Hotness: 8.5/10
Likability: 9/10
Overall: 8.6/10

Andy Dufresne Who Crawled Through A River of Shit And Came Out Clean On The Other Side

               Twenty years ago, shortly after my first birthday a movie was released that would later go on to become one of the best movies of all time: "The Shawshank Redemption." Now mind you this film did not win best picture but I will argue to the bitter end that it certainly deserved it. The Shank as I like to call it lost to Forrest Gump, don't get me wrong Forrest Gump is a fantastic movie and a great cast but that too can be said for The Shank. Director Frank Darabont's vision provided for captivating adaption on Steven Kings story titled Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption.

               The Shawshank Redemption isn't just a movie about a prison escape, but on the true bond of friendship. Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) And Ellis Boyd Redding (Morgan Freeman) meet at Shawshank prison and right away hit it off. Dufresne was sent to prison after being convicted of killing his wife and the person she was cheating on him with. Red as he was nicknamed considered himself as the only guilty man in Shawshank as it was an ongoing joke between the other inmates on how no one who is actually in the prison is "guilty". As the movie progresses you have you usual conflicts and problems but the bond between Andy and Red continues to grow strong.

            The tipping point in the movie happens when a new inmate arrives at Shawshank prison. A younger man Tommy is sentenced to prison for breaking and entering, he's been in and out of prison for all his life he tell the guys. During one of his stints elsewhere his cell mate told him a story on two people that he killed, leading to the truth on what really happened to Andy's wife proving his complete innocence.

           After hearing the story told by Tommy Dufresne approaches the hard ass warden, Warden Norton (Bob Gunton) since Dufresne being a successful banker before being sent to prison helps the Warden with his various financial ventures immediately disregards his claims tho his innocence. For Dufresne's outburst Warden Norton has him sent to solitary confinement for quite a long stint. After his time in the hole as they call it Andy had a conversation with Red that in my opinion is one of the best parts in the movie, yielding us with one of the greatest lines in movie history..."Get busy living or get busy dying".
 
            That night after the iconic conversation and choice was made by Andy, a choice that would liberate him from the institution that took away nearly twenty years of his life. Once again he was a free man, a man on his way to Mexico to start new life, a life of freedom.

             Now going back to my claims against Forrest Gump...Forrest Gump without question did deserve the nomination for best picture, a feel good story, a story that covers significant parts in history and how a mans life is intertwined within some of Americas biggest events. It also is a very emotional film. But to me Gump forced you to be emotional with how things played out as the film ran it's course. Comparing that to Shawshank, which delivers an emotional connection you cant fight or even given the choice to fight it, emotion that overwhelms you, overwhelms you right to the very  end due to the fact you connect so strongly with the characters and root for them the entire time, and when that final scene happens all you can do is smile and think back on all the events these two men have been through together and to see them have that chance to reunite and pickup right where they left off just makes the movie worthwhile in itself.

Magnum Rating: 9.8/10 (Damn Near Perfect)