Jurassic World Movie Review by Ryan A. Loera

Stars:
Chris Pratt - Owen
Bryce Dallas Howard - Claire
Vincent D'onofrio - Hoskins
Ty Simpkins - Gray
Nick Robinson - Zach
BD Wong - Dr. Henry Wu
Judy Greer - Karen
Andy Buckley - Scott
Katie McGrath - Zara

Genre: Science fiction/Thriller
Director: Colin Trevorrow
Release Date: June 12, 2015
Rated PG-13

I'd like to start this review with… Wow! Jurassic World really blew my mind!

Yes, there are many predictable scenes and the story line is still the same but the dinosaurs are bigger and better than ever!

The movie begins with brothers Gray (Ty Simpkins) and Zach (Nick Robinson) being driven to the airport by their parents Karen (Judy Greer) and Scott (Andy Buckley). After a semi-heartfelt goodbye they board the plane and begin their journey to Jurassic World, where their Aunt Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) works as Operations Manager.

Upon first sight, Jurassic World looks like every other amusement park. With the exception of being set on a tropical island and populated by genetically engineered dinosaurs.

Gray and Zach are first greeted by their Aunt Claire's assistant, Zara (Katie McGrath), who has been tasked with looking after them. That doesn't last long because they eventually sneak away and get into some trouble.

The first half of the movie does drag on but that's mostly to allow enough time for each character to be introduced. Chris Pratt gives a good performance as Owen the Velociraptor Trainer. His abilities extend beyond those of a typical trainer. He actually develops some kind of mutual relationship based on trust with them. He's also an all around badass.

Vincent D'onofrio does an excellent job of portraying Hoskins, the quintessential bad guy with his own agenda.

The only returning actor in Jurassic World is BD Wong as Dr. Henry Wu. If you don't know who he is then Google him.

But the real star of the movie is Indominus Rex, the hybrid dinosaur mutation, created solely for the purpose of drawing in more people to Jurassic World and raking in more money.

Indominus Rex is not your average genetically engineered dinosaur. She's super intelligent and super aggressive.

Once she breaks free from her holding pen, all havoc ensues and the real action begins. Many people are injured and many people die. It may seem tragic but that should be expected at a theme park with live dinosaurs.
The sooner you accept that fact the sooner it becomes easy to enjoy the magnificently detailed CGI effects.

And I do mean magnificent!

For me, the absolute best scene is the final fight scene. I wish I could describe it without ruining the surprise but I really can't.

Just trust me… it's insanely awesome and well worth shelling out the extra bucks for the 3D version.

I do wish people would stop comparing it to the original but I suppose that is unavoidable.

Jurassic Park was about people encountering live dinosaurs for the first time. Jurassic World is about dinosaurs becoming fed up with people and exacting revenge for being held in captivity.

On a scale of 1 tamale to 10 tamales I give Jurassic World 9 tamales!

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter! My twitter handle is @buddhkist

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Thumbsucker Movie Review by Ryan A. Loera

Stars:
Lou Taylor Pucci - Justin Cobb
Keanu Reeves - Perry Lyman
Kelli Garner - Rebecca
Tilda Swinton - Audrey Cobb
Vincent D'onofrio - Mike Cobb
Vince Vaughn - Mr. Geary

Director: Mike Mills
Release Date: January 23, 2005
Genre: Coming of age/Comedy-drama
Rated R

Thumbsucker is a movie about a teenage boy who can't stop sucking his thumb. Well… it's about a little more than that.

Justin Cobb (Lou Taylor Pucci) is your typical awkward teenager with high hopes for the future. Unfortunately, his inability to focus and thumbsucking affliction hold him back.

His Dad, Mike Cobb (Vincent D'onofrio), eventually becomes so fed up with his thumbsucking that he resorts to weird methods. Such as writing his initials on Justin's thumbs.

Justin's Mom, Audrey Cobb (Tilda Swinton), believes nothing is really wrong with Justin. She chalks it up to normal teenage awkwardness. Which, from her point of view, makes sense considering she's seen far worse addictions at the drug rehab center where she works as a nurse.

Perry Lyman (Keanu Reeves), Justin's orthodontist and unofficial spiritual advisor, attempts to halt Justin's thumbsucking via hypnosis. The effects of which force Justin into a temporary downward spiral of withdrawal.

Luckily, Justin quickly befriends his debate team partner and long time crush Rebecca (Kelli Garner). They flirt with the notion of becoming more than friends but Rebecca quickly puts a stop to it when Justin refuses to be completely open and honest with her.

A few days later, he has a panic attack of sorts while preparing for a debate at school. His teacher Mr. Geary (Vince Vaughn) develops a real interest in his well being and, with the expertise of the school counselor, suggests the use of medication to Justin's parents.

They are against it at first but then become open to it once Justin tells them he feels he could really benefit from the psychoactive effects that only medication can provide.

The medication does help Justin focus more and become the star of the debate team. However, he ultimately realizes that all he did was trade one addiction for another.

Thumbsucker has many heartwarming scenes and many comedic scenes. The ending isn't what one would expect but it leaves much to the imagination.

On a scale of 1 tamale to 10 tamales I give Thumbsucker a delicious 7 tamales.

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter! My twitter handle is @buddhkist



:-)