Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Captain America makes a triumphant return in his second stand-alone title, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."  Unlike the first film which felt like little more than a lead up to "The Avengers," this sequel does a much better job of standing on its own two feet.  Steve Rodgers is as likable as ever and the plot is surprisingly interesting and, for the most part, works rather well.  But it's the action sequences that really steal the show.  Each fight is well choreographed and incredibly fun to watch.  However, at this point in the game, it's apparent that Marvel is lurking in dangerous waters by releasing seemingly countless "Avengers" tie-ins.  They're going to have to change their strategy fast if they want to keep their audience interested and grounded.  But in the meantime, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" is a worthy and entertaining addition to their superhero saga.

Bryce **1/2
Chase ***
Landon ***
Logan ***

BANGERANG SCORE: ***

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

Tom Clancy's most popular character, Jack Ryan is at it again after a prolonged absence from the box office.  "Shadow Recruit" tells the origin story of how Jack, played by Chris Pine, uncovers a financial terrorist plot and becomes the action hero we all know him as.  When compared to other other action movies of the same ilk, "Shadow Recruit" doesn't really do a whole lot in terms of reinventing the wheel.  While the acting is well done, the emotional connection to the characters is almost non-existent.  The movie does a really good job, however, of staging some really cool action scenes that raise the intensity level when it needs to.  While this isn't one of the best action films around (especially considering how competitive the action film market is), it is still a fun ride for what it's worth.

Chase **1/2

BANGERANG SCORE: **1/2

The Best of 2013

In the wake of back to back relatively down years at the cinema, 2013 laid the hammer down and gave us a slew of great movies.  After much bickering amongst ourselves, we have finally decided our top 5 for the year.  So sit back, relax and enjoy our picks!


5. Captain Phillips


"Captain Phillips" squeaks into the number five spot despite some stiff competition.  This is one of the most intense films you'll ever see, anchored by a vintage performance from Tom Hanks and some sure-handed direction by Paul Greengrass.

4. Saving Mr. Banks


Despite being polished to a shine with Disney's trademark gloss, "Saving Mr. Banks" manages to pack the biggest emotional punch of any film this year.  Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks (yet again) turn in great performances that anchor this very memorable story.

3. Star Trek Into Darkness


Lightning has struck yet again for J.J. Abrams and his cast and crew in their second crack at the "Star Trek" franchise.  This new installment is every bit as good as the original and is the most fun we've had at the movies in years.

2. Gravity


"Gravity" is an unforgettable experience from beginning to end that stays with you long after the credits roll.  The technological craftsmanship can be appreciated in any format, but there is certainly something special about seeing it on the big screen (in IMAX-3D if possible).  This is a great movie that very nearly grabbed our top spot.

1. Mud


It was a photo finish, but Jeff Nichlos' "Mud" came out of nowhere this year to grab the top spot on our list.  This is a beautifully crafted film that tells an authentic story with some of the most well-realized characters you'll ever see on screen.  Like a Mark Twain story with a modern twist, "Mud" has a certain magic to it that we won't soon forget.  It's also the best film of the year.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Ben Stiller directs and stars in this dramedy (mostly comedy) about a schlub caught in the minutia of a work-a-day life, dreaming of a more exciting existence.  Stiller is good in the title role, bringing his signature dry humor to the proceedings while supporting performances from the likes of Kristen Wiig and Sean Penn really add a lot to the story.  The film is beautifully shot in many locations around the world which adds an extra sense of wonder to the story that it would otherwise not have.  The drama is a bit formulaic and the jokes (especially some extended day-dreaming sequences) are pretty hit-and-miss but when the movie succeeds, it's a lot of fun.

Bryce ***
Chase **1/2
Landon **1/2
Logan **1/2

BANGERANG SCORE: **1/2

Captain Phillips

Director Paul Greengrass (director of the last two entries in the "Bourne" series) is known for churning out intense and highly stylized thrillers and "Captain Phillips" is no different.  Tom Hanks stars as the title character whose ship is taken over by pirates and delivers one of his best performances in years.  The real revelation, however, is Barkhad Abdi who plays the leader of the band of pirates and holds his own with Hanks in the first role of his career.  The film is a little light on the character's back story, which makes it difficult to fully connect with them, but you can't help but empathize with their plight all the same.  This is an expertly crafted thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.  See it.

Bryce ***
Chase ***
Landon ***
Logan ***

BANGERANG SCORE: ***

Frozen

"Frozen" proves yet again that Disney still has the magic to make a really good animated film in the vein of their musical classics.  The style and presentation of this latest offering from the studio is very appealing on a number of levels. It delivers a great cast of characters, memorable songs, and great animation.  The songs are what really make the film soar however, providing the best collection of tunes since Disney's glory years in the late 80's to mid 90's.  The story doesn't quite live up to the music, as it is often predictable and a bit cliche, but that's a minor complaint.  This is a funny and entertaining family film that will have you humming its mercilessly catching tunes for weeks.

Bryce ***
Chase ***1/2
Landon ***
Logan ***

BANGERANG SCORE: ***

The Wolverine

Just like the deal Sony has with "Spider-Man", Fox has to release a new "X-Men" film every couple of years in order to retain the film rights to the Marvel brand. Inevitably, that arrangement leads to films like "The Wolverine."  This is a bland spin-off story in the "X-Men" universe that is serviceable enough as a self-contained story, but ultimately doesn't accomplish much in terms of character development for Wolverine or the overall mutant mythos.  Hugh Jackman is good in the iconic role that has defined his career, he just doesn't have a lot of interesting things to do.  Like Marvel's "Iron Man," this character and series need an injection of freshness that this film can't provide.

Bryce **
Chase **1/2

BANGERANG SCORE: **