The Hunter

Wilhelm Dafoe plays a mercenary for hire. But, this time he is on the hunt for the "thought to be extinct" Tasmanian Tiger.  A company hires him to find the animal, take blood samples, and bring them back to be cloned.

Good movie, watched it by accident while channel surfing. Like the surprise twist at the end. Okay to rent for a possible second date. Since it has that Indie Film feel, would hold as a first date movie.

Begin Again

Checked out a Indie Film that just came out Friday. It has Kiera Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, and Adam Levine. Adam and Kiera are a singer-song writer couple. They break up soon after Adam is signed to a record label. Kiera bounces back though when Mark, who plays a Producer, discovers her!

 

Good movie, but would hold as a first date movie since it revolves around a breakup due to a cheating boyfriend. Do check it out!

 

The Art of the Steal

Kurt Russell, Matt Dillon, and others in a movie centered around stealing art, a job gone wrong, and pay back for those who had it coming.  Good movie, safe first date movie and first rate rental. Do check it out; the twist in the plot at the end is good!

 

Jack Ryan Shadow Recruit

Here is a "prequel" to the Tom Clancy movies that Harrison Ford and Alec Baldwin starred as Jack Ryan(?). Since it's set in recent times, hardcore Clancy Fans will be thrown a curve since Jack Ryan in this movie would have been a child and/or yet to be born yet.

No worries, still a good movie and consider it a safe first date movie.  Liked Chris Pine's, Keira Knightly's, and Kevin Costner's performance in the movie!

Maleficent

Here is a remake of Disney's Sleeping Beauty but from the Wicked Witch's view.  Angelina Jolie plays the Wicked Witch Maleficent. Good movie. Safe first date movie... glad to have seen it at the theater!

Inside Llewyn Davis

Movie with lots of good folk song tunes.  It's a week in the life of a struggling musician.  Trying to make it in the 60's folk music scene.  It has singing, a cat, and interesting twist and turns... Liked the movie!  Would hold as a first date movie because of the "IFC" feel it has but still would rent it later when you get a chance.

Legend of Hercules

Rented the "Legend of Hercules" yesterday.  The scenes reminded me of the "300" movie but other than that it did not have the same action or interesting story line as "300".  Hold on this one as a safe first date movie; even having second thoughts on why I rented it.

About Time

From the same director that brought us Love Actually, comes About Time! This one easily makes the first date movie recommendation! Do check it out — a love story that allows traveling back in time to "fix" things for the future! Rachel McAdams is her normal "sexy" self; her true love Tim, played by Domhnall Gleeson, make a romantic pairing. Even better is Tim's father, played by Bill Nighy! Check it out some time!

Rush

Ron Howard movie about Formula 1 race car drivers James Hunt and Niki Luada.  Good movie. Even better is that it is a true story.  Safe first date movie.  Liked the end where they flash to real life pictures of the drivers!

Bad Grandpa

Johnny Knoxville's latest movie about a Grandpa tasked with delivering his Grandson to his Dad because his Mother is going to jail.  Not a first date movie.  Would not rent it.... Even if you liked his Jackass movies.

Non-Stop

Checked this one out at the movie theater.  Has Liam Neeson and Julianne Moore as a US Air Marshall and a passenger on a flight to London, respectively.  Liam has personal issues; Julianne is a friendly passenger seated next to him.  While in the air, Liam gets text to transfer $150M or someone dies every 20".

 

Good movie, liked it.  Not high on the list of first date movies but would say it's okay given the "whodunit" feel!

300 Rise of an Empire

Sequel to the 300 movie that pitted 300 Spartan soldiers against a million Persians.  Lots of blood and violence.  Would hold as a first date movie.  But, if you liked 300 you will like this movie.

It flashes back and then ties into the first movie, then takes you to a naval battle that ends with a clear winner and loser. However, the ending leaves an opening for another movie!

Lifted

Took off guard by this one; starts out with a after-school made for TV movie feel.  But, it's story line is great; singing is great,... worse it has a tear or two at the ending.  Check this out when you get a chance.  Do risk it for a first date movie, may convince your possible significant other that you have a "softer" side to you!  Like the cameos of Trace Adkins and Reuben Studdard (sp?) of American Idol!

Man In the Moon

More late night insomnia, more late night channel surfing.  Found this one that had an "Introducing Reese Witherspoon" in the credits.  Liked this one though it's a tear jerker.  Two sisters, one handsome boy, somehow they both fall for him, but....  Risk this one as a first date movie despite the tear or two that may come later!

Crazy

Movie about the ups and downs of Hank Garland – famous guitar slinger, country music writer, and Opry Legend!

 

Late night insomnia had me channel surfing; found this one and was pleasantly surprised.  Good movie, hold as a first date rental as the "downs" could impact a budding relationship.  But, do recommend it for a later date!

Don Jon

Movie with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Scarlett Johansson.  I am a Scarljo fan and do like Joseph Gordon-Levitt, but need to hold off on this one as a first date movie.  New Jersey Guy works as a bartender, scores with women, and then has an addiction to porn.  He meets hottie Scarlett who is a New Jersey Gal working in the corporate world (possibly).  Things spark but then fizzle when he is caught watching porn... but, he does finally find a way to kick his porn addiction.  Not a first date movie, story line was okay, mainly watched because...I am a Scarljo fan and do like Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Second in the Hobbit franchise brings viewers up to date on the journey... that said, would have preferred to wait till all three movies were out before seeing any one of them.  No worries though; this one leaves you hanging like the first movie.  So, get ready to wait a while to see the final episode.  Long movie... unless your date is a fan, would wait for this one to come out as a rental.  Better yet, wait till the last movie is out, and then watch the first and second movie as a refresher, and then see the final movie.  PS:  Liked the red-headed she-elf!

Prisoners

Movie about a child abduction of two girls and the extreme measures their fathers take to find them.  Strong story line but way too slow in the action to make it as a first date movie.  Also, would save renting it for a rainy day; not a first choice given other movies that are out.

The Lone Ranger

Movie of the vintage classic TV Series - The Lone Ranger.  Not sure why it did not make it well at the movies but this one gets a safe first date rating. Okay to rent... liked how the story provided more details on the origin of the Lone Ranger and his sidekick Tonto!

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.