Nerd in the 'Noke

Insurgent (2015), PG-13, 119 minutes - The second film in the Divergent series (adapted from author Veronica Roth's trilogy of YA novels), as well as the second of my most anticipated films of 2015  to be released, Insurgent is part The Matrix (visual effects and action sequences), and part The Hunger Games (efforts of the oppressed/persecuted to overthrow a corrupt government) but manages to stay unique enough to differentiate itself in the vast sea of YA film adaptations we have seen in recent years. Insurgent picks up within days of the events at the end of Divergent with Tris (Shailene Woodley), Four (Theo James), Peter (Miles Teller), Caleb (Ansel Elgort), and Four's father Marcus (Ray Stevenson) seeking refuge with the Amity faction just outside the city walls.  They are being hunted by Eric (Jai Courtney), Max (Mekhi Phifer) and their forces under Erudite leader Jeanine's (Kate Winslet) commands.  She has come to possess a locked box containing a message from ...

Divergent (2014), PG-13, 139 minutes - I was a little late to the party when it came to reading the Divergent series written by Veronica Roth.  I started the trilogy last fall just before the third book (Allegiant) was released.  Despite that, I have been eagerly awaiting this movie as I tore through all three installments quicker than anything since I had read Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy.  Most likely because they are both considered part of the Young Adult genre. Hey, I'm not a fast reader...sue me.  In any event, I was very interested in seeing how this tale based in a dystopian future Chicago would be adapted.  As far as I'm concerned, they did a pretty good job. A great war has taken place.  In its aftermath the survivors of Chicago have fenced the remains of the city off from the wasteland left beyond.  Chicago's inhabitants have split into five factions (Abnegation, Amity, Candor, Dauntless, and Erudite), with each faction pr...

Divergent is based on the young adult novel of the same name by author Veronica Roth.  It is the first segment of a trilogy that just ended with the release of Allegiant a couple of weeks ago (the middle segment is called Insurgent).  A former co-worker of mine first mentioned it to me a year or so ago and with a little motivation from this initial trailer, I finally read it a couple of weeks ago. Taking place in Chicago sometime in the future, society is now split into five factions (Abnegation, Amity, Candor, Dauntless, and Erudite).  Every citizen fits into one of these factions, determined by their aptitude for the traits each faction holds dear.  Divergent follows Tris Prior, a teenage girl who is about to make the biggest decision of her life (whether she will devote her life to her born faction - Abnegation - or attempt to pass the trials to become part of another faction).   If a citizen chooses to switch factions and does not pass the initiation, th...