The Lincoln Lawyer

Matthew McConaughey is Mickey a lawyer/hustler that goes through life defending/swindling shady characters and getting them off without feeling guilty about his actions. He's given the chance for a big jackpot when he's chosen to defend the wealthy and young Louis Roulet (Phillipe) who's accused of assaulting a prostitute. Mickey suddenly finds himself being pulled into a moral dilemma, questioning his actions and motives when he realizes a link between his cases. A thrill ride from start to finish, the movie gets right down to business carefully detailing story as plot thickens. Ensemble cast with great acting from all the major players, also look for Tomei and Macy in supporting roles. I give it 4 JUICY MANGOES see if you love suspense.

Limitless

Bradley Cooper stars as Eddie a down and out writer, who's stumbling through life when his ex brother-in-law comes along like a fairy god father. He presents him with this supposedly FDA approved drug called NZT that allows him to use all his brain power. At first Eddie is apprehensive but after writing his novel from one pill, he becomes addicted to the benefits this drug provides. Here Eddie begins this power trip with NZT milking the drug for all its worth, gaining millions and a couple enemies in the process. The catch here, is what happens when his limited supply ends and the great lengths he goes to obtain it. Eddie also has to decide which existence is best, the one that NZT provides or the one without it. A good story, with an ensemble cast Robert Deniro and Abbie Cornish also have supporting roles. I give it 3 JUICY MANGOES.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid :Rodrick Rules

Didn't expect to enjoy this one as much as I did, but this movie was funny and enjoyable from start to finish. This is the sequel to first movie released last year and also the adaptation from the books. It's about Greg Heffley's adventures as he and his sidekick Rowley navigate the 7th grade and deal with his bother some older and younger brothers. The little kid that played Greg (Zachary Gordon) was perfect in his role. There was great acting from the entire cast, especially from Zahn and Harris who played the parents, they were hilarious. Definitely one the whole family can enjoy, lots of adults were in the cinema laughing just as loudly as the children. It has a heartwarming message also for the children, family comes first no matter how they bug you. I give it 4 JUICY MANGOES a must see for the kids

Sucker Punch

Baby Doll is a young girl with a hard life. Her mom dies, her stepfather kills her little sister, pins it on her, then sends her off to a mental institution for a Lobotomy. Here begins Sucker Punch which basically depicts the alternate realities Baby Doll imagines, perhaps to help her escape or cope with her present environment. If you're looking for a great story, you're not gonna find it here. The movie jumps from scene to scene without giving explanation or logic. However if you're into action, special effects and graphics the movie excels. That's about all it has going for it, the acting was mediocre, and the cast was random. Just like Watchmen, this was a bust and what the hell was Jon Hamm (Don Draper) doing in this movie?? I give it 2.5 JUICY MANGOES.

Jane Eyre

I was never a fan of this book or movie, I read Wide Sargasso Sea first (for CXC) and I loved it. I felt a greater affinity to the 'Mad Wife' and being the passionate person I am, was against Jane Eyre which portrayed her in a negative light. However for some reason unknown to me I drew an interest to this film, maybe time lessened my distaste, and I'm glad it did. This is the best movie I've seen this year so far, it had all the elements that drew me in. Wasikowska was elegant as Jane Eyre, she did this role great justice, and Fassbender as Rochester was just juicy. The chemistry between the two were great, and the acting was stellar. Since seeing this movie, my feelings about Jane Eyre have drastically changed. I've been on a Jane Eyre movie watching spree this weekend saw the 1944, 1983 and the 2006 versions. After viewing them all this 2011 version was not the best, but Wasikowska is the best Jane by far. If you're familiar with the story they're no surprises, only difference is that this version uses flashback technique. The movie begins from her exit at Gateshead and vacillates between her adult life and childhood. Beautiful, entertaining from start to finish, if you're into period pieces and romance, this is a must see. I give it 5 JUICY MANGOES.

Battle LA

Another flick I was disappointed in, not because it was bad, but because I was tricked into thinking this was something else. The trailers led you to believe that this was an Alien invasion flick, let me tell you IT WAS NOT. Those aliens could have easily been replaced with the Taliban or some other group and it would have been the same movie. Battle LA was about a group of young marines and their courage and strength during battle with an opponent they knew little about. It was all about protecting the civilians, and leaving no man behind, hell this might have been a long PSA for the marines. The story is fast paced, boring it was not, and there was an all star cast, whose roles were minor or unimportant as the soldiers were the stars of this show. I give it 3 JUICY MANGOES.

Red Riding Hood

After highly anticipating this one for a long time, I was severely disappointed with the results. Hollywood should leave the fairy tales to Disney and Dreamworks because this was pure trash. This tale is very different from the one we grew up with, Red Riding Hood has a name, its Valerie (rolling eyes) and she's a teenage girl living in a medieval village. She's in love with a young wood cutter, but their romance comes to a halt when the wolf that was haunting the village, kills her younger sister. The villagers then set out on rampage to find the wolf, but it turns out the creature they're looking for is Werewolf. A human that was living and eating among them all these years, one that is especially attached to Valerie (it speaks to her LITERALLY). Red Riding Hood's dilemma begins as she doesn't know who to trust, since one of her loved ones is obviously the wolf. A very bad story, the plot had so many holes can't even bother to take it seriously, and lets not talk about the acting. Catherine Hardwicke (the director) takes flopping to a whole new level with this one, especially coming off of Twilight. 1 and a half Juicy Mangoes wait for it on Cable.

Hall Pass

The Farelly brothers strike again with this funny gem about two men Wilson and Sudeikis who are both bored with their marriages. Their wives Fischer and Applegate are given this wild idea about a one week Hall Pass from marriage, which they were reluctant to try at first. However, after several public embarrassments these women are forced to set their guys free to help them release their penned up sexual frustrations. Hilarious from start to finish, if you loved Wedding Crashers, The Forty Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up etc. you'll love this one. Definitely not for children it has a couple graphic scenes but still enjoyable. I give it 3 JUICY MANGOES.

The Kings Speech

Those who know me know that I'm a sucker for period pieces and any movie with the BBC stamp on it, this was no exception. It also doesn't help that three of my favorite actors/actresses are in this movie Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter and Jennifer Ehle. However my review might not be fully biased since the movie did win the Oscar for Best picture, so we know most people share my sentiments. Firth plays the role of King George VI before he becomes king, and his struggles with public speaking. Because of his stammering he has flubbed many public appearances and this adds to his growing insecurities and fears of having to take over the Monarchy. Geoffrey Rush stars as the unconventional speech therapist hired by his wife(Carter) and their journey together made for an excellent film. Not only is he speech therapist, he becomes his psychologist and close friend giving the King all the support and workings needed to become a great speaker. Firth was amazing in his portrayal and his struggles were emotional and gripping. Doesn't sound like much, but the ensemble cast and their performances turned what could have been a dreary film into a British Masterpiece. LOVED IT 5 JUICY MANGOES.

Black Swan

Natalie Portman starts as Nina the timid young girl given the lead role in her ballet company's production of Black Swan. Nina is a skilled dancer and possesses all the character traits necessary for the part of the White swan, however she's the opposite of what the Black swan is supposed to be. She's shy, innocent and scared, the Black swan isn't and the director of the company forces Nina to release that wild person he knows she can be. Nina feeling the strain from the competition, the extreme pressure of pleasing her director and being the lead in this play begins to manifest physically and psychologically. She walks the fine line between sanity and instability which both become blurred in the end. This I believe is the outstanding detail in this movie since it pulls us into Nina struggle, at times its hard to tell what is reality, and what she's imagining. Portman's performance was so great in the movie she deserved the Oscar, there were outstanding performances from the entire cast. Guys and some Ladies will also appreciate the steamy sex scene between Kunis and Portman. AN excellent movie, thrilling and psychological it blew my mind, I give it 4.5 JUICY MANGOES it's a must see.

The Rite

I saw this a while ago but never got around to reviewing it, and now that I have a little time I will do so. Donoghue stars as Kovak a young man that uses seminary college as a way to escape his father's funeral home business. His faith is not what it should be, in fact its non existent and he wants to leave college without accepting his vows. However when threatened with a revoking of his scholarship, he unwilling accepts the last favor asked of him, which was to attend exorcism training in Rome. Here because of his unbelief he's paired with (Hopkins)Father Lucas a priest and exorcist known for his unorthodox ways. Kovak's sanity and what he believes is placed to the test with Father Lucas's extraordinary experiences, here he makes the important decision of what his faith should really be. Acting was great by all the major players and there are a few gruesome scenes. The critics panned it, but it was enjoyable to me, I have yet to see a movie about exorcisms that I didn't like. Maybe my fascination makes me bias. I give it 3 JUICY MANGOES

The Adjustment Bureau

I heard that this was more thought provoking than Inception, well let me tell you that was a STRETCH. It was a good movie, very enjoyable gripping from start to finish but the storyline is a bit unrealistic, and not in that way that Inception blew our minds. It was just plain unbelievable. Damon stars as David Norris the young rising politician who meets an intriguing woman Blunt, who inspires him to give the speech of his life on the day he loses the election. Norris luckily meets up with this woman, but this wasn't as planned and here the Adjustment Bureau steps in. While they were meant to have a one time meeting, they weren't supposed to meet again, since it alters their destiny. The movie ask the question which would you choose, if given the choice between true love and becoming your greatest self. Great acting from everyone, the chemistry between Damon and Blunt was amazing, ensemble cast. I give it 3.5 JUICY MANGOES.

Coming Attractions

Highly anticipating these flicks for the summer, hope they don't disappoint.

Big Momma Like Father like Son.

Where do I begin with this one, well there were a few funny moments in there but overall it was a bad movie. Like all Big Momma movies Lawrence the FBI agent is working on a big case, but things go awry when his stepson Trent (Jackson) becomes a witness to the bust gone bad. Lawrence is forced to hide him, not out of state or in a protection program, but as girl in an all girls school. To give the movie some credit, there is an informant on the FBI and the all girls school is connected to the case, so it isn't all random. However, things go horribly wrong when drum-roll...Jackson falls for one of the girls at the school and the rest is history. I wanted to like it so bad, there aren't a lot of films for the urban demographic out right now, but this was not good. I give it 2 JUICY MANGOES for effort.

I Am Number Four

I'm a sucker for these action movies with great special effects, because of this I was drawn into number four, but it was very silly. Alex Pettyfer's character is apparently the 4th alien of 9 sent to earth after their planet was destroyed. However there are some creatures (can't recall their names) after these young aliens and they're killing them in numerical order LOL (typing it makes it even more ridiculous). Pettyfer and his guardian move from place to place constantly but he's finds love when he moves to Ohio and meets Dianna Argon's character Sarah (a loner photographer). This is just a summary of the extremely ridiculous plot in this movie, it was just unrealistic and stupid. I especially hate when I'm watching movies where the characters lives are in danger, but they stop to have a romantic moment in all the chaos. This one was aimed at the teenagers, and even they would find this movie silly. I give it 2 JUICY MANGOES, wait for it on HBO.

Unkown

Liam Neeson and January Jones star in this action thriller about a Scientist, whose identity is stolen after he gets into an accident in Russia. Sounds pretty standard, but Unknown isn't typical, there is a huge twist in this movie, which I won't even bother to divulge (see it for yourselves. Neeson was great, but I can't help but feel a sense of deja-vu with this movie, his roles and accents are always the same. I don't know how I feel about Jones's performance can't decide if she was good or just okay. Started off a little slowly but the movie definitely picks up in the end. I give it 3 JUICY MANGOES.

Just Go With It

I was pleasantly surprised with this one, since I tend to dislike Adam Sandler movies. Especially coming off of Grown Ups which was so corny, I had low expectations. Just Go With It, however was really funny, predictable but still funny. I laughed from beginning to end. Jenifer Aniston was also great in this movie ( I usually hate all her movies The Bounty Hunter and The Breakup were both horrible). Sandler's character stars as a sleaze ball plastic surgeon that uses the wedding ring and his so called horrible marriage as bait for young women. However this comes back to haunt him when he finds a girl he really likes, so he invents a family. Using his loyal assistant(Aniston) and her children as his props, and the rest you can pretty much guess. A couple guest appearances were made so look out for those, very enjoyable. I give it 3.5 JUICY MANGOES.