Quick Movie Review: San Andreas (2015)

Who doesn't love a disaster movie? The villain is nature, who has no weakness and will always win. It makes humans the most vulnerable, as they know they can't stop any of it. And despite this genre of film typically having terrible dialogue, the movies are still pretty awesome in every other way.

In San Andreas, California is experiencing a statewide earthquake that goes on record as easily the biggest earthquake in history. Dwayne Johnson plays Ray, a helicopter pilot who is trying to find his daughter (Alexandra Daddario) amidst the chaos.

San Andreas is full of cliches and stupid character decisions, but it's so enjoyable. In the very first scene of the movie, there is a rescue mission where the fire department uses a helicopter to save a girl  who is trapped inside a car that is dangling off a cliff by a tree branch. But oh yeah--the helicopter has exactly 5 minutes worth of fuel left, so the rescue team has to be ridiculously quick! How awesome is that?!

This movie is great mindless entertainment. There is nothing offensive about it, and the script is so cheesy it's enjoyable in a The Fast and the Furious type of way.

The acting is pretty mediocre, but the highlight is Carla Gugino, as she shows us once again how she's able to shine no matter what script she is given. And she gives us honestly one of the best on-screen cries I've seen.

It actually tugs on your heart and, despite lack of depth, attaches you to the characters. It's truly one of the great blockbuster films of the past few years.
 
Twizard Rating: 82

Quick Movie Review: Night at the Museum (2006)

If you look at this movie as your kids do then you will like it just as much as they. It's a great family film, full of laughs for the adults as well. It's a little silly and ridiculous, but that's also what makes it so uniquely intriguing.

While there are a lot of plot holes and conveniently manipulated details, it's a really funny movie. Ben Stiller is a perfect fit for this role as he uses his unconfident demeanor to his advantage with his character, Larry. There is enough good talent in this film to hold it upright. One or two jokes can be juvenile, but we have to remember that it's a movie for kids also. And we get a nice twist to go along with the humor.

Night at the Museum never tries to be something it's not. Maybe at the time of the release it seemed like a movie we shouldn't like, but I think it's held up well over these last 9 years.

Twizard Rating: 88