Black Water

My View:  Black Water  (2018)  R  A deep-cover operative named, Wheeler (Jean-Claude Van Damme), finds himself imprisoned in a CIA black op-site on a submarine. Kidnapping Wheeler will be a deadly mistake.I was looking forward to seeing Black Water because I thought putting Van Damme in tight quarters to fight in but there is too much talking in this film and not enough fighting. Dolph Lundgren is in his fifth film with Van Damme playing a fellow detainee, but fans of Lundgren are going to be disappointed as he doesn’t get into the action until seventy minutes into the film. The plot does have a few twists and turns, one which I didn’t see coming. I just wanted more action from this film and less talking.  My Rating: Cable   Black Water Info

In Case You Missed It (A movie just released on DVD/Blu-Ray):  Pacific Rim Uprising (2018)  PG-13   Jake Pentecost (John Boyega) teams with Mako Mori (Rinko Kikuchi) to lead a new generation of Jaeger pilots. Nate Lambert (Scott Eastwood), Jake’s rival and hacker, and Amara Namani (Cailee Spaeny), join the team when a new Kaiju threat rears up.  Unlike the first, this film doesn’t have heart. The characters are shallow, the dialogue is creaky, and the action sequences are confusing. The only thing that saves this movie is the performances of John Boyega, who is charismatic, and Cailee Spaeny, who does a phenomenal job, considering this is her first feature film. I just wish the two of them had better material to work with.  My Rating: Cable   Pacific Rim Uprising Website

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I've Only Seen in Trailers but Just Looks Like a Bad Idea):  The Meg (2018)  PG-13   Jonas (Jason Statham) must protect his family and fellow workers from a 70-foot shark while in a sunken submersible. We already have the Sharknado movies, why do we need this version?    The Meg Website

Forgotten Film:  Frailty  (2001)  R   A man named, Fenton (Matthew McConaughey), shows up at an FBI agent’s (Powers Boothe) office and tells the agent that he knows who did a series of serial killings that occurred in the area and have never been solved. The man begins to tell the story of his dad (Bill Paxton), who was visited by an angel and told to kill demons disguised as people. The movie flashes back to when he was a young boy, and we see how and why his father, with the help of his sons, killed the victims. The late Bill Paxton directed this psychological drama that adds a little horror to the story as it goes along. Paxton is brilliant in the part, creating a character that is terrifying but is also a loving father who thinks he is doing the right thing. Frailty is a movie that isn’t always easy to watch but is fascinating in its delivery.  My Rating: Full Price    Frailty Info

Weird Credits: From the credits of Black Water:  Stunt Guard

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Whitney  (2018)  R  Documentary on the life and music of the immensely talented but troubled Whitney Houston. The director of the film, Kevin Macdonald, got two nominations for this project at the Cannes Film Festival.    Whitney Facebook Page

Until Next Time!

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

My View:  Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom  (2018)  PG-13  When the island’s once dormant volcano starts erupting, Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) race to save the remaining dinosaurs of the isle. This film has so many problems, I don’t know where to start. Hollywood has taken a film franchise and just destroyed it. So, the movie starts with a volcano erupting on the island. So, you build a billion-dollar resort on an island that has a volcano? This stupid stuff happens throughout the film. The first Jurassic World film was fun, and I especially enjoyed Chris Pratt’s performance. Well, Pratt can’t save this one. By the way, the movie thumbs its nose at the critics and fans who made fun of Bryce Dallas Howards’ footwear (she is running from dinosaurs in heels throughout the first film) by showing us a close up of her shoes. (The second time when she gets off the plane on the island, she wearing boots.) There is a very annoying girl (Isabella Sermon) in the film who spends most of the movie screaming and thinks she can get away from a dinosaur by hiding under the covers (but still doesn’t cover her head). By the way, spoiler alert, the characters only spend the first half of the film on the island. The film feels as long as its 2 hours and 8 minutes length and has some of the worst dialogue I have ever seen in a major motion picture. There is a slightly funny scene at the end of final credits, but it’s not worth seeing, and neither is the rest of this film.    My Rating:  Cable   Jurassic World Website

Indiefest:  Hearts Beat Loud  (2018) PG-13   A father, Frank (Nick Offerman) and his daughter, Sam (Kiersey Clemons) bond over writing and performing songs before she goes off to college. I loved this film when I saw it at the 2018 Atlanta Film Festival. The chemistry between Offerman and Clemons is dazzling and makes the film work. Fans of Nick Offerman will not be disappointed as he is perfect in the role of Frank, who is trying to raise his daughter and run a struggling record store. The music is lovely and was recorded live as they were filming, making the performances breathtaking and inspiring. Clemons is a star on the rise, and her performance in this film is striking. The impressive, supporting cast includes Ted Danson as Frank’s best friend, Blythe Danner as Frank’s mother, Sasha Lane as Sam’s best friend and sounding board, and Toni Collette as a neighbor and possible love interest of Frank. Go see this movie and bring along your teen daughters because they will fall in love with this film, just as I did.   My Rating:  I Would Pay to See It Again   Hearts Beat Loud Website

In Case You Missed It (A movie just released on DVD/Blu-Ray):  The Circle  (2017)  PG-13  A young tech worker (Emma Watson) gets a job at a dominant internet company and quickly makes her mark in the business.  She learns that her company is involved with getting and keeping information on everyone, information that could be used to hurt her friends, family and even threaten the future of humanity. The Circle is a dull film that never creates the tension that it needs to make us care about what happens to Mae. Emma Watson plays a character who shows some smarts on how quickly she picks up her job but is so gullible that it becomes laughable.  Then we are supposed to believe that she can pull off what happens at the end of the film. Tom Hanks basically plays Steve Jobs but is, at least on appearances, nicer. Karen Gillan is wasted as Mae’s best friend who gets her the job, as she almost sleepwalks through her role. This is a film where main characters just disappear for stretches, which makes it seem that one or two more rewrites were needed. Co-writer/director James Ponsoldt is one of my favorite directors out there (my love of his The Spectacular Now is well-known), but he really misses the mark in this movie.  My Rating: Cable    The Circle Website

Forgotten Film: The Theory of Everything (2014) PG-13  Since Stephen Hawking died this year, I thought it would be a good idea to revisit this film. The love story between the famous physicist Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) and his wife, Jane (Felicity Jones). Redmayne and Jones are extraordinary in this film about the love between two people who decide to live every day like it could be their last. They give unbelievable performances and have incredible chemistry on screen. It's a beautiful story and has a lot of up and downs, as two people team up to achieve remarkable things, not only in their professional lives but also in their personal lives. If you are a fan of romantic films, this one is for you.  My Rating: Full Price   The Theory of Everything Website    

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom:  Stunt Scaffolder

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: The Catcher Was a Spy  (2018) R  A major league baseball player in the 30s and 40s, Moe Berg (Paul Rudd), lives a double life as a spy. I read the book that this film is based on, and he led a fascinating and sometimes dangerous life. Moe Berg toured Japan as part of a baseball goodwill tour and was able to give the American government information about Japan’s ramping up for war.    The Catcher Was A Spy Info

Until Next Time!

Incredibles 2

My View:  Incredibles 2  (2018)  PG  Bob (Mr. Incredible) is playing “Mr. Mom,” taking care of Jack-Jack while Helen (Elastigirl) is out saving the world. While not as good as The Incredibles, the film is still a lot of fun and the ending of the film is as good as any live action adventure film. The film moves at a quick pace and has a few twists and turns to make the film interesting. As with the first film, this is a movie not just for kids but adults as well. The best character in the film is the baby, Jack-Jack, who starts developing super powers that Bob has to deal with while Elastigirl is out saving the world. These are some superheroes that we have missed for thirteen years. The lovely short Bao plays before Incredibles 2 and it's a welcome addition to Pixar short film library.   My Rating:  Full Price   Incredibles 2 website

My View:  Tag  (2018)  R  A group of former classmates get together every year and play the kids game, Tag. One of the members (Jeremy Renner), who has never been tagged, announces he is quitting the game after this year.  I have severe problems with this film. It wants to be a raunchy comedy, but it also wants to be a serious picture about friendship, and it fails on both counts.  The film makes jokes of miscarriages and cancer. I did enjoy the performances of Isla Fisher, who plays the wife of Ed Helms and takes the game too seriously, and Hannibal Buress, who plays one of the gamers who sees a conspiracy theory in everything.   Both actors bring some energy and fun to the film. Unfortunately, both Jon Hamm and Ed Helms bring very little to the picture and take the air out of it in their main scenes. The film never finds its footing and just doesn’t deliver enough laughs to overlook the horrible writing.  My Rating: Cable   Tag Website

In Case You Missed It (A movie just released on DVD/Blu-Ray):  Love, Simon  (2018)  PG-13  Simon (Nick Robinson) is a gay high school student who hasn’t come out, even to his best friends. He is in love with an anonymous classmate whom he has only talked to online.  Now, Simon’s life will change in a big way.  This is one of those rare movies about teenagers where the characters on the screen are real people with real problems, ones we can relate to and feel. Nick Robinson gives an intelligent and moving performance as the teenager who is afraid to come out. Simon just wants to last until he is out of high school before revealing he is gay. He also doesn’t want to rock the boat with his closest friends, especially with his best friend, Leah (Katherine Langford), whom he has known since childhood. Love, Simon is a funny and sweet movie that hits all the right notes. At the screening, when the big scene near the end of the film happened, teenage girls jumped up out of their seats and cheered. Go see this film, and you just might do the same.    My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again    Love, Silmon Facebook Page

Forgotten Film:  Atlantis: The Lost Empire  (2001)  PG  Atlantis is a rare Disney animated film that doesn’t have any songs or dances. It’s an adventure story of a team of explorers looking for the lost city of Atlantis. The movie is based on a story idea by Buffy and Angel creator Joss Whedon. The animation looks very different than most Disney movies, with almost a Japanese anime feel to it. The storyline is sharp and it has an ending that delivers. While the film is aimed at kids, adults may also enjoy this movie with its adventure theme.  My Rating: Full Price    Atlantis Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Tag:  Hoagie’s Mom Photo Double

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  A Star is Born  (2018)  R  A musician (Bradley Cooper) who has seen better days, helps a young singer (Lady Gaga) as she becomes a star. His demons get a hold of him as he falls for the young singer, and their relationship suffers. Bradley Cooper also directs this film, and the trailer looks brilliant.    A Star is Born Info

Until Next Time!

Adrift

My View:  Adrift  (2018)  PG-13  A young couple, Tami (Shailene Woodley) and Richard (Sam Clafin)  who are avid sailors, head out on a small boat for the ride of a lifetime. What they don’t know is that they are about to head directly into one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history  Part romantic movie and part survival film, Adrift successfully melds the two together, mostly due to Woodley and Clafin. The movie moves back and forth, between their courtship in Tahiti, and the storm and its aftermath. Woodley and Clafin have spectacular chemistry and their characters falling in love seems real and beautiful. Woodley has to do the heavy lifting for the wake of the storm, and as usual, Woodley is masterful in her performance. Shot in Tahiti and New Zealand, the landscapes are spectacular, and the storm sequence is riveting. There are some nice twists and turns along the way, and the film moves at a quick pace. You are going to enjoy this film, going on an adventure of a lifetime with Tami and Richard.   My Rating: Full Price   Adrift Website

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on BlueRay and DVD):  Red Sparrow  (2018)  R  Ballerina Dominika Egorova (Jennifer Lawrence) is injured in a freak accident. Her dancing career is over, and she is forced to join the “Sparrow School,’ a Russian intelligence service where she is forced to use her body as a weapon. Her first mission is to seduce an American CIA agent (Joel Edgerton). When the mission starts to unravel, it just might threaten the security of both countries. If you think you are going to see something like last year’s Atomic Blonde, you aren’t. While a violent film with a couple of very hard to watch torture scenes, this is more of a movie about the psychology of breaking people down to become someone who will do anything for their country. The film is too long (two hours, twenty minutes), and the storyline, while it has some nice twists and turns, is too slow. Lawrence doesn’t do a Russian accent well, to the point that it just gets distracting. While Atomic Blonde was a blast to watch, I was either revolted at the torture or bored by the countless talking head scenes. I did enjoy the all too brief part that Mary-Louise Parker has as a wisecracking chief of staff of the American Embassy. She breathed life into the film, but her role was too short to save this film.   My Rating: Cable   Red Sparrow Facebook Page

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I've Only Seen in Trailers but Just Looks Like a Bad Idea):  Uncle Drew  (2018)  PG-13  After draining his life savings, Dax (Lil Rel Howery) enters a team in streetball tournament, then he loses his star players to a rival (Nick Kroll).  Dax stumbles across a legendary streetball player, Uncle Drew (Kyrie Irving) and convinces Uncle Drew to assemble his legendary streetball team and join Dax’s squad for the tourney.  All have to tell you is that Shaq is in this film to let you know how bad it’s going to be based on Shaq’s past films (Kazamm, Steel).   Uncle Drew Website

Forgotten Film:  The Descent  (2005)  R  A caving expedition goes horribly wrong as six women become lost inside a previously unexplored cave. Trapped in the cave, they desperately try to find a way out as a strange breed of predators pursues them. This little-seen horror film was one of the best movies of 2005. The film builds the tension almost from the start, and there are some first-rate performances. I will warn you that this film is very gruesome and rather graphic, but if you are looking for a horror film, you can't do better than this one.  My Rating: Full Price    The Descent Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Adrift:  Tattoo Builder

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot (2018)  R  John Callahan (Joaquin Phoenix) has been in a horrific car accident and is permanently confined to a wheelchair.  On his journey to sobriety, he uses his mangled hands to draw hilarious, often controversial cartoons, which gives him a new lease on life.   Don't Worry Facebook Page

Until Next Time!