Color of Money

Been a while since seeing this one but glad I did.  This one is a little too long for a first date movie but is one that is okay to rent!  Paul Newman, Tom Cruise, and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio shine in this movie classic from the 80's.

The Ice Man

True story about Mafia Hitman Richard Kuklinski, allegedly responsible for killing over 100 people. Eventually, he is caught and was serving to two life sentences before his death in 2006.

Okay to rent but is definitely not a first date movie.

End of Watch

Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña in a documentary style movie about to LAPD cops out busting bad guys and making things happen in their area!  However, things take a turn for the worse when a gang has them targeted to die.

Slow start and the documentary style may detract some from watching.  Would hold as a first date movie but do believe it is "Okay to Rent" for a rainy day or a snow day like today (in our area).

Superman - The Man of Steel

Here is the newest of the Superman movies.  Has some details not seen in other versions and is less comedy and more "DC Comic" like.  Safe first date movie; should be good with renting it.  Just be careful; the actor in the movie is definitely in shape!

RIPD

Movie with Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds as a pair of Rest In Peace Department enforcement officers. Killed in the line of duty, chosen police officers are re-incarnated to serve in the RIPD for a term of 100 years.  During that time, they are tasked with arresting criminals who have also died but are stuck between Heaven and Hell.

Entertaining movie, okay to rent but glad to have rented it instead of paying a premium at the movie theater. Has the love after death theme mixed in but would pick other movies for a first date if given the choice.

Catching Fire

A sequel to the Hunger Games movie that did well when it opened.  Also, book two of the three book series.  Good movie but did not have the same feel as the first one.  Started slow building up to the "Quarter Quell Games"; once the action started things moved well but then ended abruptly... leaving an opening for the final book - "Mockingjay".

If you are a Hunger Games fan, the movie is good filler for the next movie, else would wait to rent this one. Safe first date movie... but be sure your potential future partner is a Hunger Games fan first.  Else, wait till the next movie comes out, then plan a marathon viewing of all three movies!

The Internship

Movie with Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson as salesmen without a job.  To make their comeback and begin a new career, they some how get a chance as interns at Google.

Safe first date movie... Give it a go when you get a chance!

Undiscovered

Watched them again after seeing it when it first came out as a rental; this one gets a thumbs up as a first date movie.  Also, it is one that is okay to rent.  Has the right mix of romance plus like the music from Steven Strait and Ashlee Simpson.

World War Z

Brad Pitt saves the world when a mysterious virus causes people to go crazy and maim other people, who then become infected, who then infect others, who then,.... Good movie; okay to rent.  Would hold as a first date movie though.

Warm Bodies

Safe first date movie about Zombies who can revert back to being human again.  Light-hearted movie that gives the feeling that there is always hope regardless of what is happening to you.  Main actor is the same one that played the young boy in the movie "About a Boy".  Did well in this role, too!

The Great Gatsby

Did not read the book, did not see the original movie with Robert Redford.  But, did like it after things settled down to the story.  First part of the movie was confusing with the non-period music and flashy cinematography.  Don't play rap and mix it with current music themes when the movie is supposed to be set in the 1920's....  Overall, would say it's okay to rent but save it for a rainy day instead of risking it for a first date movie. 

Pain and Gain

Was sadly disappointed by this one.  Even worse, it is based on a true story.  Bodybuilders gone awry as they things go from bad to worse when they try to con an investor....  Does not make the first date movie list; strongly suggest not renting this one.

We're the Millers

Jason Sudeikis and Jennifer Aniston in a comedy about a drug dealer who hires a stripper, a runaway, and a geek to play his family so he can smuggle drugs across the border.  Funny movie with lots of laughs; would hold as a first date movie but do check it out when you get a chance!  Especially like Jennifer's "dance scene"!

"Olympus Has Fallen"

Here is one that may not be a first date movie but do recommend it.  It starts out slow but the action picks up making the 2 hour plus movie seem shorter.  Gerard Butler does a great job being the hero.  Morgan Freeman and Angela Bassett do a great job as the acting President and his lead Advisor, respectively.  Check it out as soon as your new relationship matures to the next level... 2+ hours without saying a word to one another and it does not feel awkward.

Hansel and Gretel - Witch Hunters

A twist of the old Grimm Fairy Tale that brings brother and sister team Hansel and Gretel together as witch hunters!  James Renner and Gemma Atherton play the main role.  A great supporting cast and storyline make it entertaining.  Just step lightly when planning a first date as the blood and gore may put some off.  Hold as a first date but do check it out when you get a chance.

Jack Reacher

Tom Cruise stars in this action movie.  Based on the book One Shot by Lee Child, a sniper kills five people. An ex-Army Military Policeman is pulled in to find out the truth of the crime.

Liked the movie; not sure if it is a first date movie so going to err on caution and suggest waiting till later. But, do recommend checking it out!

Skyfall

Daniel Craig in his third James Bond movie as 007!  This one gives more detail about his background.  And, had lots of action that keeps viewers interested.  Like his first movie as Bond, second one not as much, third one was as good as the first one.

This one gets a first date movie rating!

Oz the Great and Powerful

James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, and Michelle Williams in a prequel fantasy film to the Wizard of Oz.  Was pleasantly surprised; liked how the movie provide more detail on the background on the relationship of the Witches.

Giving this one a first date movie rating,... that is, if you enjoy fantasy movies!

Chasing Mavericks

Gerard Butler - in a based on true events movie, plays Frosty - an old school big wave surfer.  Through a chance meeting he saves a boy's life - Jay Moriarty.  The same Jay Moriarty who later became famous for a cover photo of Surfer magazine where he is wiping out at the crest of a huge wave - one of the Mavericks at Half-Moon Bay.

Good movie, did not know it was a true story till the end.  Consider it a first date movie but tread lightly in case your potential future significant other does not care for surfer -l ife lesson - true stories.

Hotel Transylvania

Here is a move for kids that has Adam Sadler and Selena Gomez voice overs for characters Drax (short for Dracula) and Mavis (his daughter), respectively.  Drax runs the Hotel Transylvania - a hotel where monsters can relax.  He is a widower who lost his wife to a fire caused by Humans!  On his daughter's 118th birthday, Drax throws a huge party to include fulfilling a promise to let her see the World....

God movie that even adults will like.  Not certain if it is a first date movie as it deals with Father-Daughter conflict that may be to strong a theme for a first time get together with someone.  Would wait on this one but do watch it later as the relationship grows.

Here Comes the Boom

Kevin James, Salma Hayek, and Henry Winkler in a light drama, comedy about a high school teacher who becomes a UFC Mixed Martial Arts Fighter in order to save the music program!  Funny moments with an excellent fight scene at he close of the movie.

Safe first date movie, entertaining... consider it a first date movie!

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Here is a romance/drama that fits the Indie Channel.  The movie has Emma Watson of Harry Potter fame and a cast of others; the lead of which is played by Logan Lerman, an introvert High School Freshman who is taken in by upperclassmen Emma and her stepbrother.

Good movie but would hold as a first date movie; was hoping for a more upbeat movie.  Turned out to be more on the sad side. Regardless, do check it out on a rainy day once you and your significant other are settled in a relationship!

Flight

Denzel Washington plays an airline pilot with a drinking problem.  Although he is able to save a number of lives when an "act of god" mechanical failure causes his airliner to crash, Denzel must contend with the NTSB and possible jail time for flying while intoxicated.

Would hold as a first date movie but would rent it later on.  Save it for a rainy day when you don't have much to chose from!

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt come together in this light drama (comedy mixed with drama and romance).  Ewan is a fisheries expert; Emily is a Assistant to a rich Yemeni Sheikh who wants to bring Salmon Fishing to his homeland.

Movie was okay but my opinion was biased after disappointing rentals - That's My Boy and Seeking a Friend for the End of the World.  Would hold as a first date movie, too.  Would be okay to watch on a rainy day after the relationship has matured.

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

Steve Carell and Keira Knightley become friends after unexpected breakups with their significant others.  Their friendship is accelerated because a huge asteroid is headed to Earth and will end the world in four weeks!

Hold on this one as a first date movie.  Slow action and slow to develop. About half way was hoping for the action to pickup; it did not but by then had to stay to see the end.  That said, ending was not worth the wait.

That's My Boy

Adam Sandler and Andy Sandberg play father and son it this comedy.  Adam is Andy's father from a student-teacher affair that resulted in a pregnancy.  Cannot go in more detail as I lost interest and stopped the movie.  Enough said, this one does  not get a first date movie recommendation!

50/50

Movie with J. Gordon Levitt, Seth Rogen, and Anna Kendrick.  J. Gordon is diagnosed with cancer.  Seth - his best friend, tries to support him through the ordeal.  Anna is a psychologist also helping J. Gordon.

Good movie, consider it a safe first date movie.  Check it out when you get a chance!

Lawless

... a movie based on the book "Wettest County in the World" by Matt Bobdurant - grandson of one of the main characters.  It stars Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, and Jason Clarke as the three Bondurant brothers. Also in the film are Gary Oldman, Guy Pearce, and Jessica Chastain.  Set in prohibition era Franklin County, Virginia, the three Bondurant brothers manage a gas station that also fronts their illegal moonshine business.  When a crooked politician and his deputy come to the area, they quickly make enemies of the brothers.

Good movie, even better since it is based on historical events.  Would hold as a first date movie but would recommend checking it out when you get a chance.

Total Recall (2012)

Remake of the Sci-Fi Action movie of the same title starring Collin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, and Jessica Biel.  Similar but different than the original.  Still a good movie.  Hold as a first date movie but would watch it later.  Should be pleasantly surprised on how the results.

The Decoy Bride

British Indie Film about a famous actress played by Alice Eve and a writer play by David Tennant (Dr. Who fame).  Their wedding is spoiled by paparazzi, so they plan a wedding on a remote island that David wrote about in his book.  A few twist and turns later, David is married to a local girl played by Kelley MacDonald as a decoy to the real wedding....

Safe first date movie, recommend this one.  Been having a good run with Independent Films!

Loopers

Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Emily Blunt in a movie about time-traveling hitman (called Loopers) that carry out contracts to kill people to include themselves eventually.  In this case Bruce and Joseph Gordon play the same character - a looper named Joe.  Bruce is the older Joe and Joseph Gordon is the younger Joe. 

Bruce wants to change the future, traveling back in time to make it so.  Specifically, he intends to kill the man that killed his wife.  Emily Blunt is the mother of the man that Bruce is after.  Joseph Gordon is caught in the middle - maintain the status quo and carry out his plans for the future or team with Bruce.

Good movie... would hold as a safe first date movie but would see it later on in the relationship.  Main reason is the story line does not fit a first date movie, else it still is a good movie.