Kong: Skull Island

My View:  Kong: Skull Island  (2017)  PG-13  In 1973, a team of explorers along with a company of soldiers are following the myths and legends of the Pacific. It seems that there is an island where creatures both prehistoric and monstrous live, including Kong, the legendary giant that is King of Skull Island. This is an old fashioned  “leave your mind at the door” popcorn movie. The best parts of this film are the battle sequences, which are spectacular looking and exciting to watch. The special effects (CGI), especially Kong, who has quite a few close-ups, are sensational.  The worst part of this film is the huge plot holes and the blatant way the movie tries to get you to care about the team. The character that Toby Kebbell portrays, a soldier who writes letters to his kid, exists only so you will feel sorry for the soldiers as they fight monsters on the island. You just don’t care about anyone in this film, and there are few characters (like the one Samuel L. Jackson portrays) that are so annoying, you want them to die. Stay through all the credits, as there is a bonus scene. Kong: Skull Island was not shot in 3-D, so save the money and buy some popcorn.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Kong: Skull Island Website

Indiefest:  The Last Word  (2017)  R  Harriet (Shirley MacLaine) is a retired businesswoman who needs to control everything and everyone in her life. She decides to hire a young journalist, Anne (Amanda Seyfried), to write her obituary. Anne finds out that writing Harriet’s obit is going to be the hardest job she has ever had.  I enjoyed this film, mostly due to the performances of MacLaine and Seyfried. They have sparkling chemistry together and make the film entertaining to watch. MacLaine is a blast as the woman whom everyone can’t stand.  The plot is a little predictable, and the story takes a little while to take off, but this is an enticing and poignant film to watch.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee   The Last Word Website

Family Faire:  My Life as a Zucchini  (2016)  PG-13  After his mother dies in an accident, a young boy who likes being called Zucchini, is sent to a foster home with other orphans his age. There he meets and falls in love with a girl named Camille. This Oscar-nominated stop-motion animated film is a gem and a delight to watch. The animation is colorful and warm.  I will warn you that a few times this movie can be a little grim, and there aren’t a lot of laughs, but you will have a marvelous time watching a young boy find his place in the world.  I wish more animated films were of this quality and substance.  My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again   My Life as a Zucchini Info

Indiefest:  The Ottoman Lieutenant  (2016)  A strong-willed woman, Lillie (Hera Hilmar), meets an American doctor (Josh Hartnett) who runs a remote hospital within the Ottoman Empire. She decides to join him and she meets Ismail (Michiel Huisman), a lieutenant in the Ottoman Imperial Army. They quickly fall in love as the world begins to fall apart. This film has gorgeous cinematography and exotic locations, but that can’t make up for a storyline that plays out like a bad romance novel. I did like Hera Hilmar’s performance as the headstrong nurse who falls in love with “the enemy,” but she isn’t given much to work with in a script that wants to be a combination of Lawrence of Arabia with a little of The English Patient thrown in.  The film seems to never find its footing and just becomes slightly boring to watch.  My Rating:  Cable   The Ottoman Lieutenant Website

Forgotten Film:  Broadway Danny Rose  (1984)  PG  A talent agent, Danny (Woody Allen) who represents the worst talent out there, gets involved with trying to reconcile a lounge singer (Nick Apolo Forte) with his mistress (Mia Farrow). When Danny gets mistaken as her lover, the mob goes after him. This comedy is funny because Allen allows us to see Danny as a real man and not just another character he is playing. Mia Farrow is wondrous as the mob girl who is rough and tumble.  This is a fun and witty comedy that will keep you laughing until the end.  My Rating:  Full Price   Broadway Danny Rose Info   

Weird Credits:  From the credits of The Ottoman Lieutenant:  Turkish Dialogue Coach

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Prevenge  (2016)  This rather strange sounding comedy from actress Alice Lowe looks nuts but so much fun.  A pregnant woman (Alice Lowe) goes on a killing spree, but it’s not her idea; it’s her unborn baby giving orders from her womb.  I am making sure that I see this at SXSW Film Festival.   Prevenge Info

Until Next Time!