I really do not know how to define how “The Weatherman” is a good movie. Mixed emotions I guess is the right way to feel. Since this is not your ordinary weatherman, he is a weatherman with a bunch of drama to deal with. All things in the life of Dave Spritz (played by Nicholas Cage) is obstacles; his son thinks it is appropriate to for him to be hanging out with his counselor, his daughter cannot find activities that suit her, he is divorced, and above all his father Robert Spritzel (played by Michael Caine) is dying of cancer. In the end, I connect these issues together, and just appreciate that I do not live in this type of life style.

This film could have been somewhat captivating if it had any connection with “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Gore Verbinski directed a film about pirates, now he is directing a dark drama. Difference is “Pirates of The Caribbean” was Disney and meant for family, this one is just meant for pure adult audience. I guess the young crowd convinced Verbinski to want to do something more serious than receive so much teen attention after “Pirates of The Caribbean.”

In “The Weatherman” Dave Spritz is a weatherman with tons of family problems and so much stress on his hands given he is recognized by the press. I know that life sounds like it sucks doesn’t it? The entire film is all set on Spritz’s behavior. Trying to be professional at his job, doing his best to keep his goods in good spirits, trying to help his sick father, but also his use of frequent swearing which is fairly a ridiculous amount of F bombs adds up that nothing goes well for Spritz ninety percent of the time.

Both Dave and his ex-wife Noreen (played by Hope Davis) have so many problems that they struggle to resolve. Noreen claims that the divorce is because she was never in love with Dave, but then right away she gets a new boyfriend, so both are to blame for divorce. Dave ‘s entire focus is for his children to be happy, but is always hesitant, because of how he feels about his father’s view on his parenting skills

Things will work for Dave Spritz. He has so much drama to deal with but some positive vibes going. His ability to entertain people on camera and with family add up to be an honest, but dark drama. Three stars.

Advertisements were false about “August: Osage County.” The commercials made this film seem like it was going to be a dim-witted comedy, but it is just devastating. “August: Osage County” has its funny moments, but problems just continue to throughout the entire movie.

Meryl Streep is the lead who plays Violet Weston. Someone diagnosed with mouth cancer, a consistent smoker, and addicted to pills. This troubled character is intended to be negative and opinionated, but is surprisingly weak. Half the time experiencing Streep’s performance, you will ask yourself how much worse can things get with her?

“August: Osage County” is a sad version of “Love Actually.” So many big names such as Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Dermot Mulroney, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Cooper, Abigail Breslin, Juliette Lewis, and many other names. The main star to deal with most of the problems is Barbara Weston (Roberts). She is motivated to help her mom understand the consequences of her actions, but lacks the support from her separated husband Bill Fordham (McGregor). The daughter Jean Fordham (Breslin), is distracted and getting into the phase of the bad teenage habits and is pretty checked out and not that caring of the situation of her grandmother.

The movie is a movie that is best to watch once. I felt the film would be uplifting at first but it is not that at all. The acting is brilliant but it is just drama after drama and nothing good comes of the movie. Two stars.

How intense does robbery get? As soon as “Panic Room” got intense, my fists clenched into feeling kind of scared by how suspenseful it gets. “Panic Room” is a clever thriller done by talented director David Fincher, but it just goes all out violent over an object criminals want in one room.

“Panic Room” gears on the character Meg Altman (played by Jodie Foster) who is seeking a home to take a break from her lying husband along with her daughter Sarah (played by Kristen Stewart). They all of  a sudden run into a home that has a new installation which is called a “panic room.” What happens all of  a sudden though is that at like one in the morning criminals go with a plan made in advance to steal million of dollars in the house that is hidden.

The criminals are Junior (played by Jared Leto), Burnham (played by Forest Whitaker), and Raoul (played by Dwight Yoakam). They all showed up at the home confused due to Junior’s mistake of misinterpreting when exactly they move in due to the research he does on homes to break into. Burnham is against the idea, since he is not a violent person but has financial issues. Raoul, on the other hand is the most dangerous of the three, he wears a face mask and actually has a gun. They decide to attempt to get the cash while the Meg and her daughter are in the home.

Given the fact that Junior is over his head and is loud and obnoxious, this causes Meg to realize people are in her home (thanks to the high-tech camera systems installed) and she snatches her daughter and they lock themselves into the steel room aka the “panic room.” Now with no phone connection, no way out, and criminals not leaving until they get what they want, Meg is in for a suspenseful, long night.

This film is grisly entertaining, and also funny at some moments. However, it just gets too violent. Fincher thought about making the film in pitch black darkness but figured that would be impractical therefore he left it light. That was a better idea given the fact that the film is already harrowing enough as it reaches its climax.

“Panic Room” is good and I like it but its not amazing. Two and a half stars.