Ghost Rider Spirit of Vengeance movie review

This film was just a feel good romp.  The premise of good versus evil and fighting the evil within is as old as time, but it always works.  I think that is largely because we all fight similar battles every day.  You can say what you will about Nicolas Cage and many do not favor him as an actor, but I really love his narrative. He's not your typical leading man, and I have heard it said he's not great and only gets roles due to his familial connections. I have to disagree, at least about the acting.  His role in this is not complex, but he makes it believable, well as believable as make believe can be anyway. Johnny Whitworth is awesome as one of the anti-heroes Ray Carrigan who the devil played by Ciaran Hinds also curses with the power to disintegrate everything he touches. There is plenty of action and a little bit of mystery that carries the viewer along right up to the climactic end.  For those that aren't familiar with the Ghost Rider movies.. the ghost rider Johnny Blaze (Nicolas Cage) is cursed by a deal he made with the devil.  Without warning or control he becomes the ghost rider and must exact the devils vengeance.  He is recruited by Moreau (Idris Elba) to save the life of a young boy Danny (Fergus Riordan) and in return can be free of his curse.  Violante Pacido is convincing as the boys protective butt kicking mom.  I can't really say much more without ruining it.  The movie is very enjoyable. Who doesn't want to see a bad ass flaming skull head on a motorcycle kicking some serious butt? So on the Heart Chart... Ghost Rider Spirit of Vengeance gets three out of five hearts ♥♥♥

Lord of War movie review

First of all I have to say that Nicolas Cage has a great voice and provides a wonderful narrative to the film. Sound quality was awesome. The images and the content are quite disturbing. You really feel for the law enforcement when you realize they are doing their jobs with their hands tied behind their backs. It almost seems futile. Not only does the bad guy keep getting away, but he's funny and likeable. It never occured to me that bullets were made on an assembly line. The opening of the film which takes you from start to finish of ammunition being made and where it ends up was an eye opener. Jared Leto is dynamite as Uri's younger brother Vitaly who is unable to stomach and live with the family business. I guess the message the movie sends is that no one wins in war except for the profiteers and our own government is among those that seeks to profit from the demise of innocents in third world countries. The police interview between Uri and Jack Valentine (Ethan Hawke), the cop who arrested him, was a painful awakening. Over all the movie is engaging right up to the climactic end. So on the Heart Chart... Lord of War gets 4 out of 5 hearts. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥