MOVIE REVIEWS

Movie Critic: Courtney Kerrigan

]Movie Genre: Action, Biography, Drama
Ontario Movie Rating: 14A

Opening Date: Sept 27th, 2013

Starring: Daniel Bruhl, Chris Hemsworth, Olivia Wilde

Director: Ron Howard

Tobacco Use: A lot

A re-creation of the merciless 1970s rivalry between Formula One rivals James Hunt and Niki Lauda. This biopic about the epic battle between racecar drivers Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl) and James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) had a very exciting trailer. However the trailer seems to have shown the highlights. This movie was cinematically brilliant but the story line and characters fell flat. I understand that this movie was a biography on the exact lives of these two racers but the characters were not likable. The actors did a wonderful job with the script and characters that they were given but the film just did not wow me. Chris Hemsworth does break his Thor stereotype, which for some actors is hard to get away from. There was way too much swearing and nudity during even the first three minutes of the movie. This film should have been rated higher based on these criteria alone. There was a lot of smoking in this movie and almost every character smoked cigarettes. This did take away from the film and did not add anything to the story line. I do believe that the entire movie could have functioned without any of the smoking. Overall, I was not impressed with this film and the smoking really put it into the ‘do not recommend’ category for me

Movie Critic: Brad DeiterMovie Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, TrillerOntario Movie Rating: PGOpening Date: October 4th, 2013Starring: Sandra Bullock, George ClooneyDirector: Alfonso CuaronTobacco Use: None A medical engineer and an astronaut work together to survive after an accident leaves them adrift in space. We follow Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) on her very first shuttle mission to fix a satellite in space. She is partners with veteran astronaut and country music lover Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney) and the pair must now survive as they float further and further into the darkness. There were many scenes where I was holding the armrests for dear life afraid that if I let go I too would float out into space. The music was extremely fitting and complimented those very intense scenes. Also in space, sound is absent and they used this element to make the audience feel that they themselves were out there too. The acting is superb as the actors really make you feel their fear. Oscar buzz…I think so. Sandra Bullock delivered one of, if not her stronger, performances in a role with a very simple plot and script. George Clooney is only ever seen with his suit on and yet somehow he wins the entire audience over with personality and charm. The scenes were visually astonishing and the 3D was (for my first experience ever with 3D) needed. It added an element of reality to this film that everyone in the audience can feel. There was no smoking in this film! Even though the characters were going through a lot they never felt the need to smoke. This definitely makes the film better as we can look up to these characters in many ways. I loved this film and since seeing it I have recommended it to all of my friends. Everyone should experience it on the big screen because for most people this is their closest chance at getting to experience being in space.

Movie Critic: Courtney KerriganMovie genre: Comedy, Animation, FamilyOntario Movie Rating: GOpening date: September 30th, 2013Starring: Bill Hader, Anna FarrisDirector: Cody CameronTobacco use: None Flint Lockwood now works at The Live Corp Company for his idol Chester V. But he’s forced to leave his post when he learns that his most infamous machine is still operational and is churning out menacing food-animal hybrids. Days before this movie came out I decided to sit down and watch the first film about a town that rains food, interesting concept I thought. An hour and a half later I was officially a member of the Cloudy Fan Club. Praying and anticipating the next storm in my hometown hoping for some chocolate cake or maybe some ice cream? With the return of any successful movie you get the fear of the sequel that could go one of two ways; horribly wrong or surprisingly better. From this reviewers perspective this film was even better than the original. As the team heads back to their hometown in search of Flint’s food making machine they are met by the most terrible, hideous and cute food creatures that have taken over the island and are trying to learn to swim. The witty names of food animals (mosque-toast and taco-dile) and hilarious food puns (There’s a leek in the boat!) throughout this movie are enough to keep the adults entertained and the visual images would keep any child engaged. There was no smoking in this film and I would have to give it two big thumbs up!

‘The Heat’ brings intense comedic fire, but does the film light up some unnecessary interactions with cigarette use?Karissa, from the Haldimand-Norfolk HEAT, speaks her mind in her own sparking review!Movie genre: ComedyOntario Movie Rating: 14AOpening date: June 28, 2013Starring: Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthyDirector: Paul FeigTobacco use: Yeshttp://youtu.be/zChVn8FOAYg

Movie Critic (your name): Anna Rodrigues – Unfiltered Facts Volunteer, Hamilton Public Health ServicesMovie title: R.I.P.D. (Rest in Peace Department)Movie genre: Action/ Comedy/ CrimeOntario Movie Rating (PG, PG14 etc):PGOpening date: July 19th 2013Starring: Jeff Bridges, Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Bacon Director: Robert SchwentkeTobacco use: Smoke Free! A murdered cop is recruited to work for an afterlife police force that battles spirits not yet ready to depart the physical world. I enjoyed the fact that the director did not feel it was necessary to include the use of smoking or make any tobacco references throughout this action packed film. Be cautious if you plan on taking young children to this movie as there was some mild swearing and a few scenes with sexually suggestive content, but then again, most of it was barley noticeable. If you like movies that have a lot of gun action and “monsters”, this one’s for you! Given the plot, I feel as if the director could have easily allowed for tobacco to make an appearance numerous times if he really wanted to, but it wouldn’t have made the movie any different. Mr. Schwentke deserves two thumbs up and a big thank you for allowing this film to receive a smoke free stamp of approval. Perhaps we are getting our message across that smoking is not needed to make a great movie 😉

Movie genre: Animation, ComedyOntario Movie Rating:GOpening date: Summer 2013Starring: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Benjamin BrattDirector: Chris Renaud, Pierre CoffinTobacco use: NoneDespicable me two continues’ the story of Gru, and his three kids Agnes, Lucy, and Margo. The ex-villain and main character Gru spends the movie looking for love and a mother for his 3 kids. But his search for love is interrupted as Gru is hired to work for the Anti-Villain League. The movie showed to be a great and enjoyable experience for those of all ages. It had a great story line, was funny, and was very entertaining throughout the whole movie. Despicable Me 2 had no tobacco during the movie and is a smoke free movie. It proves to be a great example showing that great movies can be made without tobacco use being included and influencing today’s youth. I highly recommend this movie.

Movie genre: Animation, ComedyOntario Movie Rating: GOpening date: June 21, 2013Starring: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve BuscemiDirector: Dan ScanlonTobacco use: None As a prequel to Monster’s Inc, the second installment shows Mike and Sully navigating their way through University in the hopes of becoming the best scarer in their class. As history has proven, prequels and sequels are never as good as the originals. With that being said Monster’s University was just as good, if not better than the original Monster’s Inc. The characters were hilarious and funny for both kids and their parents. You get to see where the Monsters all started, even Randall. Any child of the 2000’s will be highly anticipating this film and will not be disappointed! I would recommend this film to anyone looking for a funny, family-friendly film. There was no smoking in this film and that is such a relief since this movie is tailored toward a younger crowd.

Movie genre: ComedyOntario Movie Rating: 14AOpening date: June 28, 2013Starring: Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthyDirector: Paul FeigTobacco use: Yes Uptight FBI special agent Sarah Ashburn is paired with testy Boston cop Shannon Mullins in order to take down a ruthless drug lord. The hitch: neither woman has ever had a partner – or a friend for that matter. Bullock and McCarthy are the best pairing since peanut butter and jelly. The duo delivered some of their best performances yet! Although this movie was hilarious and had great comedic timing, the film was destroyed by the amount of profanity and use of smoking. The jokes were taken over by the numerous swear words said throughout. There were multiple instances of smoking which were not crucial to the plot and it did not enhance the secondary characters; in other words, it was completely pointless. I was upset to see smoking in this movie because the instance in which it was used was to get a DNA sample and that could have been done in so many different ways. I was hoping to be able to recommend this film after I saw it however after the extreme use of profanity and smoking, I can’t say that it is something I would recommend. There are other movies out there just as funny that are better for our youth to watch.

Movie genre: Adventure/ActionOntario Movie Rating: PGOpening date: July 3rd, 2013Starring: Johnny Deep, Armie HammerDirector: Gore VerbinskiTobacco use: No “Native American warrior Tonto recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid, a man of the law, into a legend of justice.” In this much awaited western/action film, Johnny Deep and Armie Hammer team up to bring to life the story behind one of the most famous legends in western history, The Lone Ranger.  After John Reid’s brother is murdered in the dessert he teams up with Native American warrior Tonto to avenge his brother’s death. Sporting a mask and carrying guns they must track down his brother’s killer Butch Cavendish, played by actor William Fichtner. Newcomer Ruth Wilson, playing the role of Rebecca Reid, adds a dash of feminine charm and wit to this western comedy. Who can forget Helena Bonham Carter as Red Harrington, what would a Johnny Deep movie be without her? This film was extremely entertaining and action packed! My only concern with this film would be that it may have been a bit too violent for a Disney film. Thankfully there was no smoking in this movie which was awesome considering it’s a western and a remake from a TV show that was popular during a time when smoking was a lot more common. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone that is fan of Johnny Deep films or action movies. I give this film five silver bullets out of five!

Movie genre: Action, Sci-FiOntario Movie Rating: PGOpening date: May 16, 2013Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe SaldanaDirector: J.J. AbramsTobacco use: None After the crew of the Enterprise finds an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt into a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction.
 I know that some people are a bit nervous that this film will be hard to follow if they haven’t been fans of the previous franchise. I personally loved this movie and before seeing it I had only watched the first Star Trek from 2009. J.J. Abrams does a great job of creating a film that extends from the following films but that can also be watched and enjoyed on its own. The all-star cast of Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, and Zoe Saldana light up the screen with their charisma and magnetism. New comer Benedict Cumberbatch, as Khan, is stunning as one of the best villains of the year, in my opinion!There was no smoking in this film. What a relief to see one of the biggest blockbusters of the summer smoke-free! If a 190 billion dollar movie can be smoke free why can’t all of Hollywood lean towards this type of attitude? This film is definitely a must-see of the summer!