"Tonight we are cancelling the apocalypse!"

Pacific Rim, released July 2013, is a whole new spin on the alien apocalypse. The story follows the idea that an alien species called the Kaiju, are trying to take over our world. The movie does have some good action scenes and some intense moments. However, the writing, in my opinion is not the best. This movie is predictable in many cases and the acting was decent at best. Overall I would give this film a C. The action was good and I would probably see it again but I wouldn't actually buy it.

The special effects in this film were the best part of this movie. The Kaiju look real and are designed in a cool way. They are neon sea creatures that are actually pretty frightening. This film does present a new way to look at aliens and that is refreshing considering all the apocalyptic films that have been coming out lately. The robots in this film are cool as well. The robots, which are called Jaegers, are the soul of this film. They way they operate is that two pilots are connected in one robot and together, with their minds linked, they control the Jaegers. With the mix of the Jaegers and giant sea aliens, some pretty awesome fight scenes are created.

To me this movie was just okay because I was not very impressed with the writing. It was easy for me to figure out exactly what was going to happen. I prefer when movies have some twist and turns that catch me off guard. Or the film at least has really good writing that help the actors shine, so that even if I can figure out whats going to happen next, I am still impressed with the performance. The acting was okay, nobody was a bad actor but the script didn't really give many opportunities for them to shine. I must say though, I do like Charlie Hunnam. I do see some potential in his acting skills. I have never watched Sons of Anarchy but I hear he is pretty good, plus, he isn't bad to look at either. Also there is some romance in this movie, so guys if you thought you could escape that, well you're wrong. Honestly, I kinda wish there was no love interest in this film because I don't think the movie really needed it. I think that the character Marko, played by Rinko Kikuchi, should still be in the movie, but she didn't necessarily need to be a love interest.

This movie did have some funny moments, however. I found myself laughing more then I expected. Granted, sometimes I was laughing because some of it was so cheesy, and I love cheesy things. Most of the funny moments were due to Charlie Day, one of the stars from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. He is just a really funny guy so most of the time when he was on screen, he was cracking me up, even if he wasn't trying to. I actually really enjoyed the funny moments because I wasn't expecting them.

Overall, this movie is a total "Dude Flick". And I love action and "guy" movies as much as the next person, but this one was not one of my favorites. But that being said, I know that many guys will enjoy this movie. I mean robots fighting aliens; those are two of guys favorite things. Honestly, if it were me I would wait for this movie to hit the dollar theater or rent it. But if you want to have an action movie night, this movie isn't a total waste. Enjoy the movies, until next time...

 - Megan O'Neal

"In a game divided by color, He made us see Greatness!"

I just saw the newly released “42. The True Story of an American Legend" directed and written by Brian Helgeland, and it was a very good film. It stars the great Harrison Ford as Branch Ricky and a new comer (well to me at least) Chadwick Boseman, as the amazing Jackie Robinson. This film has heart and is very inspirational. It shows the story of a man who had the "guts not to fight back."

I love Jackie Robinson. I was always interested in him as a kid. I also really liked him because my father liked him a lot as well, and you know what they say, like father like daughter. So I was very impressed by the performance given by Boseman. I wasn't sure what to expect from him since I had never seen him in anything else before. He also resembles Jackie pretty well which is always a plus.  Boseman was good because he has very expressive eyes. You could see in his facial expressions when he wanted to fight back but resisted. When he was hurt, confused, or proud; the audience could see it all through his eyes. That is a big accomplishment for an actor because it says a lot about them when they can make you feel something just by displaying emotion to the camera.

This film has a pretty good score in my opinion. The music is actually very subtle and would probably go unnoticed by many people (but now that you’re aware you can look out for it). However, the subtle music works because it fits well with the mood of the movie. It's almost as if the music is playing within the actual scene instead of just being sounds only the audience can hear. The camera work is also very beautiful. There are many slow motion shots in this film, especially the end sequence. These shots are used well though and not overdone. They actually really had to the emotional tension of the movie. By this I mean, they bring your emotions into the moment, then by slowing it down in slow motion, with the music in the background, it causes one's emotions to sort of 'float' through the scene as it glides on. It really helps the audience to connect with what's happening on screen. This film also has tons of below shots looking up which I really like. I think that it is a creative way to look at the scene and keeps the movie from being to flat. The action shots are well done as well. I mean after all this is a movie about baseball so there better be some good shots when the game is being played.

The story and the script for this film is what makes this movie so good. I mean it’s the story of Jackie Robinson, one of the greatest men to ever play baseball, so has to be good, right? Well honestly when I saw the trailer I was very excited and I was also terrified. Like I said this story means a lot to me and I would be very upset if it got messed up. But Helgeland does an excellent job with this script. He captures Robinson's story very well. It is truly inspiring to see someone be at their lowest points and still decide to step up and work hard no matter what other people say. It is also great to see how people begin to change their way; how people began to respect Robinson and even grow to love him. He was a hero to all children of all races and that is a big thing people need to understand. Also this film shows not all white people hated black people back in the 1940s. Branch Ricky, who helped Robinson immensely, was white. And throughout the film many white people show their support for Robinson. I think this movie is coming out at a great time. It shows how far our country really has come. Yes, there are mean, hateful people in this world who hate people of all different races, shapes, and sizes. But men like Robinson and people who came after him, helped change the world and that is a fact. I think this movie helps remind us things have changed for the better. It also shows what hard work will get you. It displays how never giving up on your dreams pays off in great and fantastic ways.

Another great thing about the story of this film is the relationship between Jackie and his wife Rachel. First of all, the chemistry between Nicole Beharie, who plays Rachel, and Boseman is fantastic. They are young and in love and you can feel it the second they look at each other on screen. They are so adorable that the audience can completely believe they are in their love. However, the great thing about the relationship between these two characters is how they are there for one another. Rachel always supports Jackie; she is his rock and always believes in him. And Jackie is head over heels for his wife and he makes it known. He does whatever he can to provide and take care of her. My favorite line that Jackie says throughout the movie to Rachel is "You're in my heart", meaning no matter where he goes or what happens she will always be with him. They are a happy, strong, married couple and it’s nice to see such raw love. A married couple that sticks together through anything is the kind of relationship people should strive for. It's great to see this on the big screen today. Like I've mentioned before, true and unselfish love is the sort of thing that should be promoted these days because that's the kind of love everyone deserves.

When watching the trailer with my father he told me that this movie could either be great or be awful. When I asked why he explained "Robinson worked hard. People didn't just hand him things. He had to learn to deal with the pain and fight through it. He came up from nothing and made himself. Nobody handed him anything. I worry this movie may not show it that way." Well I am happy to report that my dad does not have to worry. This film shows all the nitty gritty, the pain and the triumph of Jackie Robinson. The road was not easy but he persevered and he succeeded. "42" is also very funny. You will laugh during this film and enjoy it. But many moments in this film are intense and some things are a little hard to watch. By that I mean, the movie really tries to embrace what happened in the 1940's which hits the audience with a reality check. However, this film is also very motivational and heartfelt. You will leave the theater happy and overwhelmed with a sense of hope. You will leave thinking that if we can change then; we can continue to change now. So I definitely recommend this film and I just wanna say, 'Grab your ball caps and go to the theater, it’s time to play ball!'

- Megan O'Neal