Ant-Man and the Wasp

My View:  Ant-Man and the Wasp  (2018)  PG-13  Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) is trying to balance his life as a  superhero and being a dad.  Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Hope Van Dyne/The Wasp (Evangeline Lilly) are faced with a new threat, and the Ant-Man and the Wasp are sent into action, but this time as a team. I much enjoyed the first film, and I am happy to say that Ant-Man and the Wasp is another fun ride. Ant-Man is an unconventional hero, irreverent and fun-loving, and he isn’t the sharpest guy. Rudd is charming as a man who is trying to do the right thing but doesn’t always make the best decisions. I loved the chemistry between Rudd and Evangeline Lilly as their back and forth banter really makes the film work. I was hoping, before seeing this film, that Michael Pena would be given more to do, and he is and runs with it, giving a funny performance that never fails to make you laugh. The film moves at a quick pace and doesn’t feel its almost 2-hour length. The action sequences are exciting and well-choreographed. There are two bonus scenes in the credits with one of them, I think, is the most startling extra scenes that Marvel has ever done.   My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again

Indiefest:  Sorry to Bother You (2018)  R  Cassius Green (Lakeith Stanfield) finds work at a telemarketer, and, after determining the secret to selling, he becomes successful beyond his wildest dreams. But, at what cost? This is a one-of-a-kind film that starts out being funny, then turns into a weird sci-fi film that you never quite know where it will end up. Stanfield gives a dazzling performance of a man who is just trying to get ahead, but when he becomes successful, he loses his true self. This is a film is groundbreaking, but doesn’t always work, yet, overall, it’s a compelling film that will make you think.  My Rating:  Full Price

In Case You Missed It (A movie just released on DVD/Blu-Ray):  Beirut  (2018)  R  Caught in the crossfires of civil war, the CIA brings in a former U.S. diplomat (Jon Hamm) to negotiate for the life of a friend left behind.  This is the best performance that Jon Hamm has given in a film. He is perfect as the world-weary diplomat who is forced to help a friend get released from kidnappers. It’s refreshing to see a movie that doesn’t explain everything, but you have to pay attention to keep up with the plot. There are plenty of twists and turns that keep the story moving, and the ending is quite surprising. If you like a good spy caper, this film is for you.   My Rating: Full Price 

Forgotten Film: Corrina, Corrina  (1994)  PG  In 1959, a widower (Ray Liotta) hires a housekeeper (Whoopi Goldberg) to help manage the house and take care of his daughter (Tina Majorino), who hasn’t spoken since her mother died. This is a sweet, family film where Corrina, the housekeeper, spins her magic to transform a home filled with gloom into one filled with love. This isn’t a perfect film, but all three principle actors give superb performances, and you get an ending that you wanted from the start.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Ant-Man and the Wasp:  Visual Effects Ant Double

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Mission Impossible: Fallout  (2018)   Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team have a mission go bad, and now Ethan is a wanted man. This series has been hit or miss, but you know Cruise will do some crazy stunts. 

Until Next Time!

Rampage

My View:  Rampage  (2018) PG-13  Primatologist Davis Okoye (Dwayne Johnson) shares an usual bond with George, an intelligent gorilla who has been under Davis’ care since birth. A rogue genetic experiment goes wrong, and George grows in size at an unbelievable rate.  My father, who was a playwright, always said that if you have more than two writers in a movie credit, the film had problems. This film has four writer credits, but I think one of those writers had his five-year-old son who was playing with toys and said ‘this would be a cool movie’ and the father said “I’ll get right on it”1 The movie throws big monsters at you to distract you from how bad the script is. The dialogue is horrible, and there are plot holes the size of a giant mutant alligator. The movie makes no sense, and it takes way too long to get to the big battle scene in downtown Chicago. I was bored for a good portion of this film, as the plot takes forever to get going. We all loved the old Godzilla movies because they were so campy and fun. This film takes itself way too seriously, and it misses out on what could have been a fun ride.  My Rating: Cable   Rampage Website   

My View:  Beirut  (2018)  R  Caught in the crossfires of civil war, the CIA brings in a former U.S. diplomat (Jon Hamm) to negotiate for the life of a friend left behind.  This is the best performance that Jon Hamm has given in a film. He is perfect as the world-weary diplomat who is forced to help a friend get released from kidnappers. It’s refreshing to see a movie that doesn’t explain everything, and you have to pay attention to keep up with the plot. There are plenty of twists and turns that keep the story moving, and the ending is quite surprising. If you like a good spy caper, then this film is for you.   My Rating: Full Price    Beirut Website  

In Case You Missed It (Movies just released on DVD/BluRay) The Greatest Showman  (2017)  PG  P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman) loses his job and decides to create the most fantastic show that you have ever seen, a show soon to be called, “The Greatest Show on Earth.”  I love this film as it is full of life and energy and made me smile from the first moment. The songs (there are eleven of them) are by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the same team who gave us those great songs in La La Land. The songs are unbelievably moving, and the choreography is dazzling and, at times, intense. Hugh Jackman and Michelle Williams are exceptional, but it’s the supporting cast who really stand out, including Zendaya, who plays a high-wire artist, and Keala Settle, who plays the bearded lady. Do yourself a favor and see this dazzling film.   My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again    The Greatest Showman

Forgotten Film:  Flirting With Disaster  (1996)  R  A young man (Ben Stiller), his wife (Patricia Arquette) and their incompetent adoption caseworker (Tea Leoni) go on a cross-country trip to try and find his birth parents. This is what you would call a ‘screwball comedy’ with a large and funny cast whom the trio encounter on their trip. This film is hilarious and gets funnier as it moves along. The cast looks as if they are having a great time, and the variety of characters is vast, from two gay F.B.I. agents to a truck driver who lets his son drive an 18-wheeler. The dialogue is crisp, and the plot is brilliant. This is one of my favorite comedies of the 90’s.  My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   Flirting With Disaster Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Rampage: Barber for Dwayne Johnson

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Avengers: Infinity War (2018) PG-13  The Avengers and their allies must risk all to defeat the mighty Thanos before he destroys the universe.  Just looking at all the firepower on the movie poster, you know this will be big.   Avengers: Infinity War Website

Until Next Time!