The Space Between Us

My View:  The Space Between Us  (2017)  PG-13  Set in the near future, an astronaut stationed on Mars, gives birth to a boy, Gardner Elliot. The boy is now a teenager (Asa Butterfield) and has made friends on-line with a girl named, Tulsa (Britt Robertson), on Earth. Gardner is given a chance to go to Earth. There he will experience an adventure of a lifetime. This is almost a sure thing to be on my bottom ten list of films for this year. The dialogue is atrocious, and the plot has holes that you could drive a rocket ship through.  There is absolutely no chemistry between Butterfield and Robertson, making their love story hard to believe. There were several times that I grimaced when a new, unbelievable plot point was introduced, including a bi-plane (that Robertson is piloting) crashes into a barn, and a huge explosion ensues. I was constantly wondering what Gary Oldman and Carla Gugino, two actors whom I like and respect, are doing in this mess of a movie.    My Rating: You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again   The Space Between Us Website

My View:  The Comedian  (2017)  R  Jackie (Robert De Niro) is an insult comedian who has seen better days. His fans are stuck in the past when he had a hit TV show in the 80’s. Jackie has just about hit rock bottom, so can he mount one last comeback? This movie should have been better, and I think its failing is due to its star. I never believed that De Niro was a stand-up comedian. His delivery is horrible, he looks so uncomfortable up on stage, and he was not helped by jokes that aren’t much better.  The movie only comes to life when Leslie Mann is on-screen as the love interest. There is great chemistry between De Niro and Mann, and the film slows way down when she is off-screen. I did enjoy seeing a bunch of old pros like Charles Grodin and Billy Crystal give De Niro’s character some guff, but the film never finds its footing, and I hated the ending (it should have ended 5 minutes before).  If you are going to make a film about a comic, the heckler in the film shouldn’t be the funniest thing in the movie.   My Rating:  Cable   The Comedian Website

Indiefest:  I Am Not Your Negro  (2017)  PG-13 A documentary about race in America as told through the voice of writer James Baldwin. This is an outstanding film that uses the words of legendary writer James Baldwin to examine the issue of race in today’s America. When Baldwin died, he was writing a book about the lives and murders of three of Baldwin’s closest friends, three giants in the civil rights movement, Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. The film uses interviews and speeches that Baldwin gave throughout his life, as he spoke about the struggle of black men and women in the 60s and 70s. Sharp editing and moving narration by a toned down Samuel L. Jackson make this a moving and insightful film. Watch this thought-provoking film, and you will see why it has won so many awards and why it’s up for an Academy Award.   My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again   I Am Not Your Negro Website

Forgotten Film:  Jackie Brown (1997)   R   Jackie (Pam Grier) is a flight attendant who supplements her income by smuggling in money from Mexico for an arms dealer named Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson). She is caught by FBI agents, and then they convince her to help them set up Ordell. Now Jackie, with the help of a bail bondsman named Max (Robert Forster) is going to run a con on both the FBI and Ordell to get Jackie the money she deserves. This film, written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, has some of the best dialogue ever written. Pam Grier gives a performance of a lifetime, and Robert Forster is brilliant as the over-the-hill bail bondsman who falls for Jackie. The film is fast moving and has an ending that perfectly fits this film.    My Rating:  I Would Pay to See It Again   Jackie Brown Info

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD / Blu-ray):  Queen of Katwe  (2016) PG The film follows the life of Phiona Mutesi (Madina Natwanga), a Ugandan chess prodigy from Katwe, who becomes a Woman Candidate Master after her performances at World Chess Olympiads.  This film works because the film treats its subject with such a loving touch. The fact that this is a true story makes it all the more uplifting and impressive. It’s a charming and inspirational film that will have you rooting for the underdog, a young woman with an extraordinary skill and an impressive drive to be the best. A great film for kids of any age to watch!   My Rating: Full Price   Queen of Katwe Website

Weird Credits:  From the credits of The Space Between Us:  Global Director of Motion Picture Logistics

Coming Soon to A Theatre Near You: Beauty and the Beast  (2017)  PG  I was skeptical about remaking the beloved animated film into a live-action movie but the trailer looks beautiful and amazing.    Beauty and the Beast Website

Until Next Time!

Deepwater Horizon

My View:  Deepwater Horizon  (2016)  PG-13  Mike Williams (Mark Wahlberg) is the chief electronics technician on the floating oil rig named, Deepwater Horizon. Williams will need all his skills when the rig explodes and creates one of the worst oil spills of all time.  It takes a while to get this film going but once the explosions start, the film seems to move at breathtaking speed. I loved the action in this movie, and director Peter Berg knows how to film those scenes to get the audience right there in with the characters. The movie has an outstanding cast with Kurt Russell giving a stellar performance as the safety expert of the rig and Gina Rodriquez, who gives a sympathetic and moving performance as the pilot of the rig.  There is tremendous chemistry between Russell and Wahlberg, which makes their characters seem more like father and son than co-workers. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I was mesmerized by the thrilling action sequences and gripping performances.   My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again    Deepwater Horizon Website

My View:  Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children  (2016)  PG-13  Jake (Asa Butterfield) goes on a quest to find the home that his grandfather told so many stories about.  First off I must tell you not to take young children to this film. There are parts that are quite scary, and there is one scene that would be disturbing to young kids (heck, it was disturbing to me). I liked this film and feel it is one of the better adaptations of a Young Adult book genre.  The storyline is fascinating and inventive.  The special effects are well done and fun. I especially enjoyed Eva Green’s performance as Miss Peregrine, as she made her character likable but also very strange. The bad guys, led by Samuel L. Jackson, are creepy and sometimes shocking, which gives a horror tinge to the film.  I enjoyed the ending of the movie and hope there will be more as I would like to revisit this strange world of “peculiar children.”    My Rating:  Full Price   Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children Website

My View:  Masterminds  (2016)  PG-13  David (Zach Galifianakis) is a security guard who drives an armored car every day. With a group of half-brained criminals, David does the impossible and steals more than $17 million.  Now, will he be able to keep the money? While I did enjoy that not just one, but two characters share my name, overall I did not enjoy this film.  The laughs were few and far between and most I had already seen from the trailer/commercials. A little of Galifianakis shtick goes a long way, and I grew tired of his character very early on. I did enjoy the quirky performance of Kate McKinnon, who plays David’s weird fiancé. Her character steals the film, as she deadpan’s her way throughout. The plot is based on a true story, but it’s predictable and, at times, just not funny.   My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   Masterminds Website

Indiefest:  The Dressmaker  (2015)  R  A glamorous woman, Tilly (Kate Winslet) returns to her small town in rural Australia.  While she changes the style and dress of the women of the small town, she is there to get revenge on those who did her wrong in the past. I enjoyed this film that is part mystery, part revenge film, and part comedy. Winslet is scintillating as the stylish woman in the couture dresses clashing with the people of a small, isolated town.  Judy Davis is perfect as the crazy mother that Tilly has come back to care for. I loved Hugo Weaving as the police officer in town who has a penchant for wearing women's clothing. And there is great chemistry between Winslet and Liam Hemsworth, who plays her love interest. There are plenty of twists and turns to make the mystery interesting, and you won’t believe the ending. Tilly is a beautiful woman on a mission, someone you might want to meet, but you wouldn’t want to get on her bad side.  My Rating:  Full Price  The Dressmaker Website

Forgotten Films:  The Seven-Ups  (1973)  PG  Buddy (Roy Scheider) is part of an elite police team that is little known and mostly undercover.  The team focuses on crimes that can get more than seven years in prison when convicted.  When investigating the murder of his partner, Buddy uncovers a plot to kidnap mobsters for large ransoms.  This is a smart and gritty film where the cops don’t always follow the rules to get their convictions. Scheider is intense and scintillating as the cop on a mission that may get him killed. There is an rousing car chase that rivals the car chase sequence in the 1968 film Bullitt.   My Rating:  Full Price   The Seven-Ups Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Masterminds:  Props; Silicone Eel

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Underworld: Blood Wars (2016)  I am a sucker for Kate Beckinsale and her portrayal of the kickass vampire Selene. The first film is still the best one in the series, but I am just happy to have her back killing vamps.   Underworld: Blood Wars Info

Until Next Time!