Cabin in the Woods 3 stars

I was totally caught off guard with this movie.  I had heard some comments that I needed to see it but then I saw the 91 rating on Rotten Tomato and took the plunge.   I loved it!   It's not going to win any academy awards but it's a fun movie.   Unfortunately, I can't tell you anything about the movie without ruining it for you.  So, don't try and find out what it's about.  It's best you have no expectations when you see it.

The basic premise is that you have five young adults going up to a mountain cabin for the weekend.  The typical slasher movie start but you'll notice it's different this time.  Okay, that's enough, you'll have to watch the movie to see what the rest is about....you won't be disappointed :-)

The Hunger Games 2.5 stars

This movie is from the popular teen series of books.  The usually means there is a good story that needs to be well told and that is the case here.  I thought the premise was interesting with an excellent cast of young stars.   The heroine is an outstanding actress Jennifer Lawrence.  She received her first of many academy award nominations in the movie Winter Bone (3 stars but depressing).  If you are a fan of the books I don't think you will be disappointed.  From what I heard the movie is very true to the first book in the series.  Not being a fan of the series I found the movie to be pretty slow moving.   I also found it irritating that the characters, although under constant threat of sudden death, never had a sense of urgency or never thought twice about marching through the forest without wondering if someone was about to end their life.   The other thing that detracted from the movie was the close up filming during the action scenes so that it was hard to figure out what was going on.  I guess it was to hid the violence but I though it detracted from the film.

21 Jump Street 2.5 stars

This movie is a vehicle to showcase two very popular actors Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum.  It was not done because someone had a great script.  Like the 80's TV show they are sent undercover at a high school to catch drug dealers.   It has some pretty good laughs, mostly centered around bathroom, drug, or drinking humor.   Unfortunately, not enough laughs for the 90 minute film to be worth spending money for a ticket to see it in the theater.   Put it on your Netflix list and watch it for "free" instead.

Act of Valor 2.5 stars

Navy seals put a lot of hurt on a lot of evil men.  Well done and makes you feel proud to be an American.  Not worthy of the price of a movie ticket though.  You will enjoy it just as well on Netflix or when it hits TV.