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They’re Back With A-Vengeance!

As I’m sure you’ve heard by now, the Avengers are back, and this time it’s to defeat the mighty and villainous Ultron.  

Avengers Age Of Ultron is a movie jam-packed with fast-paced action and elaborately choreographed fight sequences.  Though there is plenty of action, you’ll be pleased to know that the heartfelt emotional moments still shine through.  This combination of elements makes the film is thoroughly entertaining on all fronts, whether you’re an avid fan of the Marvel Universe or not. 

Tony Stark is as witty as ever, but so are the other Avengers.  Hulk, Black Widow, Captain America, Thor, and Hawk-Eye have their fair share of one-liners which work well both comedically and narratively.  The banter-ous relationship between the three leading males is fun. 

The fact that these characters have already been so well established gives the filmmakers a little more leeway when it comes to character development. 

The main critique I have of the film is its opening scene, which, to me, felt like a moment similar to the one in which your parents throw you into the deep end of the pool and yell “swim!”  Everything happens really quickly and it’s hard to pick up on all of the action.

The Avengers definitely does not disappoint.  You’ll leave the movie theater feeling like you just watched a great movie, and be ready for more, more, more! 

Release Date: May 1st

Rating: 4 out of 5 

Train-Not-Wrecked!

Judd Apatow is back, and Amy Schumer has officially joined the party! Trainwreck is anything but that.  The movie is filled with belly laughs from start to finish, and over the course of the narrative you really start to connect with these slightly unorthodox characters.  Though there are definitely some crude “ooooh they really went there moments,” most of the humor is in good taste and good spirits. 

If you don’t know much about the summer rom-com, here’s a quick overview: “Having thought that monogamy was never possible, a commitment-phobic career woman may have to face her fears when she meets a good guy” (IMDB). The film marks comedian Amy Schumer’s first starring role on the silver screen. 

It’s no secret that Apatow has had trouble finding the right formula for a true hit movie since Bridesmaids in 2011, but that four-year lull stops now. Apatow’s direction, combined Schumer’s writing and performance really come together and make this an enjoyable movie. 

The pacing of the humor is quick, smart, and witty. There are so many jokes that you’ll probably even miss a few.  What gives the humor that extra edge is that it isn’t just in the dialogue, it’s in the facial expressions and moments in-between. 

The story is fairly cookie-cutter for a romantic comedy, but at some point you just don’t care because Amy Schumer is just so damn good.  Even during some of the movies darkest scenes, she is able to give us brief moments of sincere emotion combined with her subtle humor.  

The chemistry between Schumer and Bill Hader, who plays the quirky sports doctor/love interest, is cute too.  They’ve got something weird... but a good kind of weird. 

Though most of it is, the movie isn’t all fun and games, there are definitely some moments in there that might make you cry, but that’s okay, because you’ll also be crying from laughter. 

In my opinion, the major caveats were the length and LeBron James. At just over 2 hours long, the movie begins to feel a little lengthy around the hour-thirty mark, and having LeBron James in a supporting role was a little awkward.  That said, his moments of self-deprecation and girlish giddiness got some deep belly laughs from others in the audience, so to each his or her own I guess.

Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, but don’t go in expecting an Oscar winning movie.  Go in expecting to have some fun, laugh a little, and enjoy yourself with a few friends. 

Release Date: July 17, 2015

Rating: 4 out of 5 

Welcome to Film Student Movie Reviews.

On this blog you will find movie reviews by students currently studying film at various academic institutions across the United States.  From Chapman to USC, from NYU to Emerson.  Our mission is to write fun, interesting, and diverse reviews for a young adult audience.

Content: We will review independent films, foreign films, and major Hollywood blockbusters.  

Ratings: Our ratings are on a scale of 1 (worst) to 5 (best).  

Contributors: Our contributors are current film school students from various institutions across the United States.  If you attend a film school and are interested in writing for us, please message us on Facebook.

Schedule: Our reviews are released whenever a new movie comes out.

Enjoy!