REVIEW: Hercules

Honestly, I was really hoping this movie would suck so I could use that hilarious "Disappointed Hercules" gif, but I was actually entertained. I guess I'll have to find something else.

The film, which was directed by Brett Ratner (Horrible Bosses, X-Men: The Last Stand), was based off "Hercules: The Thracian Wars" from Radical Comics. I was expecting it to be a serious film, but there was a decent amount of comic relief and the goofy antics of Hercules's comrades were slightly reminiscent of the 1990s television show, "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys."

Speaking of comrades, the legendary son of Zeus was joined by seer Amphiaraus (Ian McShane), his best friend and brother in arms Autolycus (Rufus Sewell), Amazonian archer Atalanta (Ingrid Bolso Berdal), his storytelling nephew Iolaus (Reece Ritchie), and a weirdo named Tydeus (Askel Hennie).

The most popular legends of Hercules, including the Lernaean Hydra, the Nemean lion, and Ceberus, were told within the first five minutes of the film, leaving plenty of time for new battles in the Grecian city of Thrace. The combat scenes were interesting and well-choreographed. This may be bad news to some and good news to others, but Hercules is 100% action and adventure. There wasn't a single gratuitous sex scene.

3/5 If you're not into watching a beefy Samoan man throw a horse (yes, it happens), wait to Redbox it. For everyone else, it's a great summer action flick with a few good laughs. I wouldn't mind a sequel.

REVIEW: Get on Up

From Tate Taylor, director of The Help, comes one of the best films of the year. The James Brown biopic featured an outstanding ensemble cast lead by the incredible Chadwick Boseman, most known for his role as Jackie Robinson in 42 (who could definitely be a James Brown impersonator if, you know, this whole acting thing doesn't pan out). The cast also featured The Help's Academy Award nominee Viola Davis, Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer, and Nelsan Ellis, who portrayed Brown's mother, aunt, and lifelong best friend Bobby Byrd, respectively. Comic Craig Robinson and Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd also joined the cast.

It did, however, have some bizarre parallels to Jersey Boys, which was released less than a month and a half prior. Both were (obviously) musical biopics which told the tale of group divided by their frontman's proclivity to go solo and both were narrated via breaking the fourth wall. Maybe we'll see them both at the Academy Awards.

The heart wrenching life story of the Godfather of Soul was broken up by an interesting non-linear narrative and plenty of funk music.

It was dramatically compelling, beautifully written, and wonderfully well made.

Also, it made my sister cry

4.5/5 Get on Up and get your Oscars.