Suicide Squad

My View:  Suicide Squad  (2016)  PG-13  A secret government agency turns to a group of super-villains to stop a mysterious and powerful supernatural being. While I didn’t hate this film, and enjoyed a few parts (especially the first third), I wouldn’t see it again, which is sad for a big blockbuster film like this one. The film pays to much attention to the backstory of its characters which makes the plot confusing. At one point, I got lost, I thought I might have dozed off and missed some key scenes, but that’s not the case. Due to build-up before the film’s release, I was disappointed on how little Jared Leto as The Joker does on the film, as he provides a back story for Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn (who has the most fun in the movie and gives us an outstanding performance). I am not a big Will Smith fan but I thought he was spot on as Deadshot. When the end of the film rolled around (reminding me of the original Ghostbusters movie ending), I was disappointed. This movie had all the makings of an outstanding film, but instead we get one weak, bloated movie filled with a few characters you wish would go ahead and die. I did like the 3-D effects, which used them to create a few wild scenes. There is a bonus scene at the end of the main credits but nothing else after that.  My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   Suicide Squad Website

Indiefest:  Phantom Boy  (2015)  PG  A boy with super powers helps a wheelchair-bound police officer attempt to bring down a mob. This is a light and simple animated film that is fun to watch. It's beautifully drawn and, though the storyline is a little too straightforward, it does have some good messages for kids. It's a whimsical film that has a style of its own, one that you will want to spend some time with.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Phantom Boy Website

Forgotten Film:  Tapeheads  (1988)  R  A couple of lovable losers (Tim Robbins John Cusack) accidentally set the music world on its head when they start creating out of this world music videos. This is a very uneven comedy that, when an idea fails, it dies a horrible death, but, when it has a great idea, it hits it out of the park. The fun of this film is seeing how far technology has come and all the crazy cameos that are in this movie including Bobcat Goldthwait and Courtney Love (blink and you miss her). Cossack and Robbins give it their all, and it’s a riot watching them perform on the screen.    My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   Tapeheads Info   

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on iTunes and VOD):  Embers  (2016)  A man (Jason Ritter) wakes up in a dilapidated room, not knowing how he got there, who he is or whom the woman (Iva Gocheva) sleeping next to is. That’s the start of the best film I saw at any Film Festival this year. This low budget film (though it doesn’t look it) works because the script is creative with a concept of what the world would be like if every time you woke up, you forgot everything. The film is beautifully shot with a gray overcast that seems to be hanging from every nook and cranny. The plot moves at a quick pace, and the casting is brilliant with Jason Ritter playing the lead “everyman” who is willing to risk his life for people he doesn’t know. The direction is crisp, and each performer gives outstanding performances. Take a chance and explore a brave new world where everyone starts out the day not knowing what is ahead of them.    My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Suicide Squad:  Tank Constructor

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Hell or High Water  (2016)   R  A down on his luck divorced dad (Chris Pine), and his ex-con brother (Ben Foster) start robbing banks in modern day West Texas.  Their plan is to rob enough to save the family farm from foreclosure. With a tough as nails Texas Ranger (Jeff Bridges) hot on their trail, will the brothers be able to keep their plan going before going down? Hey, you had me at Jeff Bridges starring as a Texas Ranger.   Hell or High Water Website

Until Next Time!

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