The Martian review – Matt Damon sci-fi flick is out of this world fun

“The Martian” proves that there’s still some great space movies left to be told. The Matt Damon/Ridley Scott collaboration boasts an outstanding cast, a smart script and awe-inspiring direction to be one trip to space you’ll want to strap in and enjoy the ride.

Box-office roundup – Nov. 30 – “Hunger Games: Mockingjay” keeps odds in its favor

1. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 – $56.8 million [2nd week; $225 million] – Jennifer Lawrence’s third Hunger Games maintained its dominance and easily retained its box office crown for a second weekend. Factoring in Thanksgiving tallies, the film earned $82.6 million over the last five days. While “Mockingjay” failed to measure up to the lofty opening of the first two films, its second weekend cruised to an easy win. “Catching Fire” has the highest Thanksgiving week performance with $110 million but “Mockingjay” had the third highest and held a very strong 53 percent from its opening week. Worldwide, it’s already earned $480 million. It should retain its top spot until mid-December when the final installment of “The Hobbit” trilogy arrives in theaters.

Box-office roundup – Nov. 23, 2014 – “Mockingjay” soars, but doesn’t catch “Fire”

1. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 – $123 million [debut week] While the third entry in “The Hunger Games” saga had the year’s best opening the bigger story was how this was the lowest opening of the three films in the series thus far. Both previous installments grossed at least $152 million. The first sequel, “Catching Fire” Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games) opened to $158 million last year. It’s likely audiences didn’t appreciate the finale being split into two parts and not a sign of franchise fatigue or being over star Jennifer Lawrence. [Bonus: check out The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 – soundtrack here: Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1] There’s still reasons for distributor Lionsgate to be optimistic for a grand finale though. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1” earned $295 million, but the second chapter and series finale Harry Potter & Deathly Hallows: Parts 1 & 2 [Blu-ray] grossed a sensational $381 million.

Audiences love getting dumber – “Dumb and Dumber To” wins weekend box-office roundup

1. Dumb and Dumber To – $38.1 million [debut week] – Audiences couldn’t wait to see Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels hop back as the Dumb-tastic Duo leading to the box office win. This marks the best opening for Carrey since 2003’s “Bruce Almighty,” which kicked off its run with $68 million. The reign will be short-lived though as next week, the fall’s most anticipated film, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1” opens and likely crush the competition.

Box-office roundup – Nov. 9, 2014 – “Big Hero 6” beats “Interstellar” to the top

1. Big Hero 6 – $56.2 million [debut week] – Disney’s newest animated film based on the 1998 Marvel comic book looks like it will be the family hit to beat this holiday season. Its opening falls squarely in the middle of Disney’s other recent big animated hits as it trails “Frozen’s” $67 million opening, but outperformed 2012’s “Wreck-It-Ralph.” It’s firmly in position to be a monster sized hit for the Mouse House as there’s not another family animated film coming out until “Penguins of Madagascar” opens Nov. 28 and could potentially retain the top spot until “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1” arrives Nov. 21.

Review: Interstellar

While “Gravity” was content to send viewers crashing back to Earth, “Interstellar” sends audiences soaring to the stars and beyond in a space-faring film unlike anything we’ve seen on the big screen in decades. At times, it’s a bumpy and clunky ride, but the boundless imagination of Director/co-writer Christopher Nolan makes it one worth strapping into a theater seat to experience.

#Fall2014 movie preview for any mood

Alright summertime is now officially over. Hope all you action junkies got your fix because now it’s time for the fall movie season and with it comes a slew of films each studio will be pushing hard as we begin the road to The Oscars 2015. There’s gonna be a TON of drama, but some comedy and even a potential blockbuster or two, but for more demanding moviegoers, this is their prime season to indulge. It may be a bit overwhelming to figure out what you should add to your calendar so no worries, I’ve got the perfect fall movie for any possible mood you’re in over the next three months. So let’s get to it!