The Dark Knight Rises

First, before I proceed to write my review of this highly anticipated final sequel of the Batman series, my heart is so heavy! I am in shock at the atrocity in Aurora, Colorado. The fact that someone could have the audacity to open fire and start shooting at innocent people in a movie theater is unimaginable! Theater's are a place of refuge and a place to escape the realities of life. So, I wish to express my condolences to all of the people whose lives have forever been changed by this senseless tragedy. God bless them all!!!

PG-13
Starring:  Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Marion Cotillard, Morgan Freeman, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Running Time: 2 Hours and 45 Minutes

This movie begins where "The Dark Knight" ends. Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) decides it would be better for him to be the fall guy and isolate himself inside the Wayne Manor, than to divulge to the citizens of Gotham City that their beloved hero Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), had turned into a madman after the Joker's insidious rampage. Batman is also grieving the loss of his beloved Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal). He has grown weak with inactivity and arthritis. When his fortune disappears, and the new villain Bane (Tom Hardy) appears and he is determined to destroy Gotham City, Batman must come out of isolation and become "The Batman" again! His love for Gotham City is super strong and he will go to the ends of the earth to save Gotham.
He encounters the conniving Selina aka Catwoman (Anne Hathaway) working as a waitress at a memoral honoring Harvey Dent at his Manor when she is stealing his mothers pearls.
This movie is filled with all kinds of twists and turns. It seems as if everyone is out to destroy Batman. The character Bane was as evil and sinister as you can possibly imagine. He has no soul whatsoever! I had a real issue with trying to hear what Bane was saying. He has a mask over his face, and his voice is very difficult to understand, so that was disappointing to me. I also had some issues with trying to understand Batman with his gravely voice.
The character Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) was a sweet young police officer turned detective who adored Batman and helped save the people too.
The ending was heart-pounding and amazing!
The story was long at 2 hours and 45 minutes, but it kept you on the edge of your seat! You will see that Batman has a real heart and he is willing to risk himself to save everyone else.
 The special effects were stunning and well worth seeing!
Parents be advised that Bane is very scary and intimidating. Some scenes are very intense.
I would recommend this for children 13 and over.
I am giving "The Dark Knight Rises" three bags of popcorn!

The Amazing Spider-man

PG-13 Starring:
Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Sally Field, Martin Sheen, Denis Leary and Rhys Ifans
 Running Time: 2 Hours and 16 Minutes

 Wow-this was a great movie! I liked it a lot! I thought Andrew Garfield did a really great job as Peter Parker, I personally liked him better than the former Spider-man, Toby McGuire.
This is a whole new beginning for the Spider-man movie series.
Young Peter is strangely separated from his parents when they are hurriedly escorted out of their home and they leave Peter to be raised with his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field). He never sees or hears from them again.
He has a good life and loves and respects his Uncle and Aunt very much.  When he happens to come upon a secret formula that his father had left behind, his world is turned upside down.
He does some research and finds his fathers former co-worker Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans) at the Oscorp company and he decides to pay him a visit. Much to his surprise, his schoolmate Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) is working there also. He finds research going on there with a genetically enhanced spider program. When he decides to investigate it, he is bitten by a spider and that is where the transformation begins! This is just an intense and exciting ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
I really enjoyed this movie and it was very entertaining and a lot of fun. The special effects were great and the typical Spider-man flying/jumping scenes were exciting and thrilling. His relationship with Gwen is sweet and her relationship with her family only adds to the story as well.
Parents be advised, it had some really intense scenes with a character that is scary and violent and will be too much for younger children, and there is a kissing scene too. I would recommend this movie for children over the age of twelve and up.
I am giving "The Amazing Spider-Man three bags of popcorn!