My View: Mission:
Impossible Rogue-Nation (2015) PG-13 The incoming CIA chief (Alec Baldwin) wants
to disband the Impossible Mission Force, just when we need Ethan (Tom Cruise)
and the gang the most. This film is certainly the best film of the Mission:
Impossible series and one of my favorite films of the summer. The movie starts
off with a breathtaking stunt and just keeps going from there. There is a motorcycle chase sequence that is
one of the best chase scenes I have ever seen. I loved the “bromance” between
Cruise’s character, Ethan and Simon Pegg’s Benji, with some great lines
flowing. Rebecca Ferguson held her own with Tom Cruise (not easy to do) and
makes a number of action sequences believable. Sean Harris makes a great bad
guy, and Alec Baldwin is fun as the CIA chief.
I enjoyed seeing this film in IMAX, which made the action sequences come
alive. MI Rogue Nation is a blast to
watch and actually has a plot that makes sense.
If you are an action fan, go see this film! My Rating: Full Price Mission: Impossible Rogue-Nation Website
My View: Vacation
(2015) R Rusty (Ed Helms) decides to
follow in his father’s footsteps and take his family on a long distance trip to
Walley World. If you are nostalgic for
the old Vacation series, you might enjoy this film. I found the film funny, at
times, but it’s just too long and too predictable. I liked Ed Helms as Rusty,
and he has good chemistry with Christina Applegate, who isn’t given enough to
do in this film. The kids (Skyler Gisondo, Steele Stebbins) are both funny and
have some enjoyable scenes together. Chris Hemsworth is hilarious as the Texas
weatherman married to Rusty’s sister, Audrey (Leslie Mann). There is a scene
with Hemsworth that had me on the floor laughing, but the rest of the film
doesn’t quite live up to that scene. I just wish there had been more laughs. My Rating: Bargain Matinee Vacation Website
Indiefest: Irrational
Man (2015) R A philosophy professor
(Joaquin Phoenix) finds a new meaning to life when he gets involved with a
student (Emma Stone). This is not a
comedy but more like Woody Allen’s drama and mystery films. The film wastes the
talents of Emma Stone (Woody doesn’t seem to know how to write dialog for her),
and Joaquin Phoenix looks lost at times in his role. The film starts to pick up
in the 2nd half of the film, but it doesn’t save it from being only mildly
interesting. There was so much potential with this film but instead of
utilizing the very strong cast, the film feels hollow and underdeveloped. It’s
if Allen had an idea for the movie but only wrote one draft, making its story-line
and its characters feeble. My Rating:
Bargain Matinee Irrational Man Website
Indiefest: A LEGO Brickumentary (2014) G A look at the global legacy of the LEGO
building-block toys. This is an enjoyable documentary about the little plastic
blocks the world loves. Jason Bateman narrates the film, and his voice is
animated by an actual Lego figure. The film looks at the almost cult-like
status LEGOS have in the world. It also looks at how people are using LEGOS for
more than just play, as the film shows them being used to help Autistic
children socialize, architects create models of their work, and even used to
create artwork. It’s a film that moves at a quick pace and doesn’t feel at all
like an hour and a half. Fans of LEGOS, especially kids, will delight at all the inside information provided by this film. My Rating:
Full Price A LEGO Brickumentary Facebook Page
Indiefest:
Boulevard (2014) R A devoted husband, Nolan(Robin Williams),
confronts the life he has been hiding from the world for over 25 years. It’s
sad that this is the last principle part that the late Robin Williams will
play. The film never uses his vast talent to its fullest as the script is
predictable and somewhat boring. This is a somber, downbeat film that never
takes any chances, much like Nolan himself. I liked Kathy Baker who plays
Nolan’s very patient and loving wife, but their scenes are never fully fleshed
out, and the film leaves you wanting more…more for the plot and more for
Williams, the actor. My Rating: Bargain
Matinee Boulevard Info
Forgotten Film: Seven Years in Tibet (1997) PG-13 The true story of Heinrich Harrer (Brad Pitt), an Austrian mountain
climber who, while in India, is imprisoned by the British. He escapes and makes his way to Tibet. There
he befriends the Dali Lama (Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk) and becomes his
tutor. Heinrich is there to see the
invasion of the land by the Chinese.
This is a beautiful film, and Pitt gives a multi-layered performance,
and his scenes with the Dali Lama are magical. The film is a little dull at
times (I would have liked to have seen the film done from the perspective of
the kid instead of Harrer), but it’s gorgeous to watch and Pitt gives one of
his better performances. My Rating:
Bargain Matinee Seven Years in Tibet Info
Weird Credits: From
Mission: Impossible Rogue-Nation:
Standby Optician
Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: She’s Funny That Way (2014) R
I am hopeful about this screwball comedy written and directed by
legendary filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich.
The film is about a troupe trying to put on a Broadway production. The
film has a great cast that should be perfect for this story, including Owen Wilson,
Jennifer Aniston, Imogen Poots, Cybill Shepherd and Richard Lewis. She's Funny That Way Website
Until Next Time!
