The Great Wall

My View:  The Great Wall  (2017)  PG-13  When a mercenary warrior named, William (Matt Damon), is incarcerated within the Great Wall of China, he discovers the mystery behind one of the world’s greatest structures. There has been some unjust criticism about this film being a “white guy saves the day” type of film, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.  William is a selfish man who fights for whomever will pay him, but he only depends on himself. William learns from a young general (Tian Jing) that the greater good of the team is worth risking your life for. I loved the spectacle of this film, and the battle sequences are highly entertaining. Unfortunately, the scenes in between the battles are boring and other than the young female general whom Tina Jing plays, we don’t learn a lot about the people who make up the army on the wall. Matt Damon seems stiff in his performance, and I have no idea what kind of accent he was attempting to portray (I got Scotch/Irish with a bit of Spanish).  The film was not shot in 3-D so save your money and see it in 2-D. While not a great movie, gamers will enjoy the colorful and frantic battle sequences.    My Rating: Bargain Matinee   The Great Wall Website

My View:  Fist Fight  (2017)  R  After mild-mannered English teacher Andy (Charlie Day) gets Ron (Ice Cube) fired, Ron wants to fight Andy in the school yard.  Hollywood is so devoid of good ideas for films; they are remaking bad movies into even worse films. This film is loosely based on a bad 80’s film named, Three O’clock High. Both films are unfunny and at times, very mean spirited.  I didn’t laugh once during this “comedy” and many times was appalled by the subject matter.  Running gags are repeated so much that they are latterly dragged to the ground. If you think a teacher on meth waiting for teenagers to graduate before she can sleep with them and eight-year-olds cussing is hilarious, then this film is for you. For the rest of us, this is one class that you should skip.    My Rating:  You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again   Fist Fight Website

My View:  A Cure for Wellness  (2016)  R  An ambitious young executive (Dane DeHaan) is sent to retrieve his company’s CEO from a mysterious “wellness center.”  Once he gets there, he may never get out.  This is a beautifully, very stylish looking film that fails as both a horror film and dark comedy. While there are some horrific things that happen on screen, they are not scary, just highly uncomfortable to watch. I won’t go into too many details, but if you can’t stand snakes or eels, this film is not the film for you. The film is too long (four separate times our “hero” goes into his bathroom to investigate a jittering commode handle), takes way too long to set up the storyline and, ultimately, you just want the film to be over, not caring if the hero will succeed. I did enjoy the many homages to past horror films like Marathon Man, Frankenstein, and Phantom of the Opera, but it’s not enough to make you want to sit through 145 minutes running time.    My Rating: Cable   A Cure for Wellness Website

Indiefest:  A United Kingdom  (2016)  PG-13  Prince Seretse Khama of Botswana (David Oyelowo) causes an international stir when he weds a white English woman, Ruth (Rosamund Pike), from London set after WW II. I wish the film was as remarkable as the true story that it is based on, but unfortunately, the film plays it too safe and spells out almost the whole story in a way too simple storyline. Pike and Oyelowo are skillful in their portrayals, and I did enjoyed their courtship in England, which displays an exquisite chemistry between the two actors. But, the characters they portray are shown very lightly, with very little complexity. The story is predictable and never pulls on the heart strings, even at the end. I enjoyed this film, mostly because I didn’t know anything about the main characters’ lives, but I just wish the filmmaker had delved more deeply into what should have been two very complex people in a complex situation.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   A United Kingdom Website

Indiefest:  Toni Erdmann  (2016)  R  A practical joking father (Peter Simonischek) tries to reconnect with his daughter (Sandra Huller) when a practical joke goes too far. This film is one of the 2017 Oscar nominees for Best Foreign Language Film, and plenty of film critics are giving it high marks. I just don’t know why. I never could figure out if this movie was a comedy or drama. It’s a long film about a lonely man who creates a fictional character with a thinly veiled disguise to hang out with his daughter. The daughter is a driven businesswoman who is trying to land a big client. I just never got into the storyline and never cared for either the father or the daughter. I rarely laughed during the film with the exception of a naked party sequence that is quite funny.  It’s a film that is the front runner for an Oscar, but I wouldn’t even give it a nomination.   My Take: Bargain Matinee   Toni Erdmann Facebook Page

Forgotten Film:  The Pledge  (2001)  R  Jerry Black (Jack Nicholson) is a Nevada police officer, who, on the night of his retirement, pledges to a mother (Patricia Clarkson) that he will do everything he can to find her daughter’s killer. Jerry is convinced that his replacement on the force is going after the wrong suspect, and Jerry is determined to get to the bottom of the crime. It’s a slippery path Jerry has chosen, and it’s a journey that he may never return from   Nicholson gives one his finest performances as a lonely man who has sacrificed everything for a job that he misses greatly. The cast is filled with sizzling performances from stars including  Aaron Eckhart, Harry Dean Stanton, Robin Wright Penn, Helen Mirren, Vanessa Redgrave, and Benecio Del Toro. This film, directed by Sean Penn, is worth your time.    My Rating: Full Price   The Pledge Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of The Great Wall:  Silk Screen Printer

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:   Logan  (2017)  R  Logan (Hugh Jackman) is tired of all the battles that he has fought. He is holed up with Professor X (Patrick Stewart) on the Mexican border when a young mutant (Saber Bankson) being pursued by dark forces arrives. I usually don’t get excited about Wolverine or X-Men movies, but the trailer makes this one seem like a winner.  Also, the studio is holding screenings two weeks before it debuts, a sign that they think the film will get great “word of mouth.”   Logan Website

                                         

Until Next Time!

Horrible Bosses 2

My View:  Horrible Bosses 2 (2014) R   Dale (Charlie Day), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Nick (Jason Bateman) have decided to be their own boss and start up a company to manufacture the, “Shower Buddy.”  A father (Christoph Waltz) and son (Chris Pine) steal the boys’ idea, and it looks like they will get away with it.  The guys come up with a plan to save their company, kidnap the son and hold him for ransom.  What could go wrong?  I wasn't a big fan of the first film. I thought that there wasn't enough of the bosses and too much of the guys.  This film has the same problem as Christoph Waltz’s character is so much more interesting than the main characters. This film, just like the first one, is crass (way too many rape jokes) and too often goes for the easy joke.  I just didn't laugh enough to make this one a film I would recommend.   My Rating: Cable  Horrible Bosses 2 Website

Family Faire:  Penguins of Madagascar  (2014) PG  Skipper (Tom McGrath), Kowalski (Chris Miller), Rico (Conrad Vernon) and Private (Christopher Knights) are out to stop the evil Dr. Octavius Brine (John Malkovich) from taking all the penguins out of zoos.  Skipper comes up with a plan that just might work if the undercover organization, The North Wind, comes to their aid.  I had so much fun watching this film. Kids will love all the action and the pratfalls, and adults will love the puns and quick dialogue. This is a film that doesn't take itself too seriously and just decides to have a good time, making fun of the world's obsession with cute animals.  Malkovich is a blast playing the evil bad guy with a bit of a grudge. I really like the Skipper character, especially when he does a running gag where he can't remember the bad guy’s name.  Stay through the first part of the credits for some bonus material.  I didn't really notice the 3-D effects, so save a few bucks, but do go see this film. 
 My Rating:  Full Price  Penguins of Madagascar Website

Indiefest:  Diplomacy (2014)  As the Allies march towards Paris in 1944, Hitler wants Paris not to fall into enemy’s hands.  He has given the order to General Dietrich von Choltitz (Niels Arestrup) that if he leaves Paris, it should be in rubble.  The Swedish Consul General Raoul Nordling (Andre Dussollier) finds out that mines have been planted on all the important French landmarks (such as the Eiffel Tower) and most of the bridges in the city.  Nordling’s plan is to talk the General out of blowing up Paris. This is a film that works due to the chemistry and on-screen presence of the two leads. The dialogue is well written and moves quickly, as the two debate why the General shouldn't blow up Paris. It's a fascinating look at a tense few hours that could have changed France forever.  My Rating: Full Price  Diplomacy Website

Forgotten Film:  Vanishing Point (1971) R    A car delivery driver, Kowalski(Barry Newman), makes a bet that he can drive a 1970 Doge Challenger from Denver to San Francisco in less than a day.  Kowalski is a man haunted by his past, and he survives his demons by adrenaline. It's a film that is filled with great scenery, and, even better, car races and police pursuits. While not a great film and a little dated (lot of counter-culture references), it's still full of great action sequences with some thrilling car crashes.   My Rating:  Bargain Matinee  Vanishing Point Info

In Case You Missed it (A Film Just Released onDVD/Blue Ray):  The Giver (2014) PG-13  A very strange Young Adult book adaptation that misses the mark.  There is very little action in this story of a young man who receives the memory of his people.  My Rating:  Bargain Matinee  The Giver Website

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Horrible Bosses 2 (2014):  pursuit crane operator

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Inherent Vice (2014)  In 1970’s Los Angeles, detective Larry “Doc” Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix) investigates the disappearance of a former girlfriend. From Paul Thomas Anderson, the director of Magnolia (1999), Punch-Drunk Love (2002) and There Will Be Blood (2007) comes a film that looks be a combination of The Big Lebowski (1998) and American Hustle (2013).  Inherent Vice Website

Until Next Time!

Pacific Rim

My View:  Pacific Rim  (2013)  PG-13   In the near future, giant monsters, named, “Kaiju,” have risen from a crevasse beneath the Pacific Ocean and are causing overwhelming destruction to the world. The only hope for Earth is a new type of weapon, a gigantic robot known as Jaegers, driven by two human pilots. The Jaegers are man’s last, best hope, but will they be enough to ensure the survival of the human race?  This is director Guillermo del Toro’s homage to the Japanese monster films of the past.  The film has elements from the Godzilla movies of the 60’s-70’s,  Real Steel (2011), Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, with just a tip of the hat to Ray Harryhausen and his 1955 film, It Came from Beneath the Sea.  The reason you'll want to see this film are the battle sequences between the Jaegers and the Kaiju as they are spectacular and fun to watch.  The CGI special effects are amazing and make the film worth seeing in 3-D.  The film, though, is a let-down with its weak characters.  The main protagonist, Raleigh Becket (Charlie Hunnam), is to simple and one-sided, and we never really get behind the man and see why he is so driven to defeat the Kaiju. Most of the characters are somewhat uninteresting to the point that I almost wanted the film to be only about the two scientists played by Charlie Day and Burn Gorman.  Their constant battle of opposing ideas and trying to be the center of attention gives the film much needed energy and life to the script. I did enjoy that a female in the cast, Rinko Kikuchi, who plays Mako, gets to kick some serious monster butt.  Moviegoers though, don’t see this type of film for its dialogue or award winning acting; audiences go to see big, giant robots fight hand-to-hand combat with gigantic monsters.  If you're a monster lover, this film has plenty to go around.  Be sure and stay through the first part of the closing credits as there is a great bonus scene.   My Rating:  Bargain Matinee     Pacific Rim Website

My View:    Grown Ups 2 (2013)  PG-13   Three years after reuniting with his old high school friends, Lenny (Adam Sandler) has relocated his family back to his hometown. Things are not quite working out as well as Lenny had hoped as the past is not easily escaped, especially if your friends are some of the root of your problems.  I would like back my three hours I spent watching this film.  I realize that the film is only 91 minutes long, but I would like double time for the pain this film put me through.  The film has a paper thin slice of a plot, comprised mostly of scenes with Sandler and his gang of Chris Rock, Kevin James and David Spade making fun of each other like 12 year-old boys. The first scene shows you the level of the film's humor as a deer has made its way into the house and pees on Sandler in his bedroom.  It just goes downhill from there.  There are lots of cameos in this film, and so many, it seems, that if you've shared a beer with Sandler in the last few years, you were cast in this film.  It’s a sad state of affairs when one of those cameos is the highlight of the movie.  Taylor Lautner is the funniest person in the film, playing a frat boy who terrorizes the gang.  Unfortunately, it’s not a big part.  If you liked the first Grown Ups, you'll probably find a few chuckles in this one.  But if you didn’t like the first film, stay far, far away from Grown Ups 2.   My Rating:  You Would Have to Pay Me to See It Again     Grown Ups 2 Website

Indiefest:  The Way, Way Back  (2013)  PG-13  Duncan (Liam James) is not having the best of summers. Instead of spending his summer vacation with his father in California, he is forced to spend it with his mom (Toni Collette) and her new boyfriend (Steve Carell) at his summer beach house. When Duncan discovers a water park, called Water Wizz, that’s when he meets Owen (Sam Rockwell), the manager, and Duncan’s summer finally starts to get a little better. This is one of my must-see films of the summer!  James plays Duncan’s shyness and awkwardness to perfection and Rockwell, in a role reminiscent of Bill Murray in the 1978 film Meatballs, just nails the part of Owen, the carefree water park manager.  The supporting cast is impressive and funny, though I think Carell’s talents are wasted as the strict, unmoving boyfriend of Toni Collette’s character.  This film is funny, touching and has a heart as big as the monster slide in the  park.  Don’t miss this perfect summer film.  My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again     The Way, Way Back Website

Forgotten Film:   Ace in the Hole  (1954)  A journalist, Charles Tatum (Kirk Douglas), who is stuck in a small town market in the West, discovers a story of a lifetime - a man is trapped in a cave.  A major operation begins to save the man, and Tatum is willing to do just about anything to prolong the rescue just so he can pump up his bylines.  It looks like a journalism slam dunk until things start to go horribly wrong.   Billy Wilder directed and co-wrote the script, which is full of rapid fire dialogue and biting commentary.  Douglas is picture perfect as the fast talking reporter who smells a story he can exploit.  This is a film that is still relevant today with its plot on how media can exploit a story for their own purpose.   My Rating:  Full Price    Ace in the Hole Info

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I’ve Only Seen in Trailers But Just Looks Like a Bad Idea):  The Canyons  (2013)  This film, starring Lindsay Lohan, was rejected by both the Sundance Film Festival and South by Southwest.  Lohan’s co-star is a porn actress who goes by the name of James Deen.  I think that sums up the movie.     The Canyons Info

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD):  The Host (2013)  PG-13  Aliens have invaded the Earth and have taken over the minds and bodies of most of the population. Melanie (Saoirse Ronan) sacrifices herself to let her boyfriend and brother escape and allows an alien named, The Wanderer, to take over her body/mind.  While it's not a great movie, I did enjoy the excellent supporting cast that includes William Hurt and Frances Fisher.  The film isn’t cringe-worth like Twilight and just doesn’t quite hit the mark.   My Review:  Bargain Matinee    The Host Website

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Grown Ups 2:  Pool Boy

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:   Elysium (2013)    Set in the year 2154, the Earth has been separated between the haves and the have-nots, with the wealthy living in a man-made space station while the rest of the population lives on the overpopulated home planet.  Now a revolution has started that could bring equality or it could destroy both worlds.  Matt Damon and Jodie foster star in this film directed by Neill Blomkamp who brought us 2009’s distinctive hit District 9.   Elysium Website

Until Next Time!