Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

My View:  Maleficent: Mistress of Evil  (2019) PG    Family ties will be questioned between Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) and her goddaughter Princess Aurora (Elle Fanning), as they are pulled in different directions by an impending wedding, unexpected allies and the dark forces that are always in play. As with the first Maleficent film, this movie is all show and no substance. The CGI is once again outstanding, but the plot is even shakier than the first film, and the ending is so patched-worked that it feels the writer/directors of this film just decided to throw everything they could into the finale and hope people wouldn’t notice the giant plot holes the ending exposes. Once again, Angelina Jolie is the best thing about the film, but it’s not enough to save this film. By the way, at our critic's only screening, Disney showed us a ‘Don’t use your cellphone during the movie’ PSA that gave away most of the funnier bits in the film. Great thinking Disney!    My Rating: Cable    Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Website

My View: Zombieland: Double Tap (2019) R The gang (Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Jessie Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson) move to the heartland and have to keep fighting off zombies, all while dealing with a makeshift family that always doesn’t get along. Ten years after the first film, the director and cast have reassembled to bring us another fun adventure of following rules, killing zombies and trying to survive the dynamics of this small group of misfits. While not quite as much fun as the original, the film still is full of hilarious zombie kills, including the Zombie Kill of the Week, and is greatly helped with the addition of a pink wearing Barbie doll of a woman named Madison, played with incredible comedic chops by Zoey Deutch. To say that Deutch steals the movie from the four main actors is an understatement, as she gum chews and hair plays into your heart. I had a great time watching this film, and it made me want to see the first film again. Make sure to stay through all the credits, as there are two bonus scenes that are some of the funniest moments of the movie.   My Rating: Full Price    Zombieland: Double Tap Website

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD / Blu-ray):  Crawl (2019) R   A Category 5 hurricane is about to hit. Having not heard from her dad, Maley (Kaya Scodelario) goes to his house and finds that he is injured. However, there is something down in the basement with them, and it’s out for blood. This is quite a good horror film while there are a few ‘jump out of the dark’ scares, most of the film is building terror. You also can’t figure out how the father/daughter are going to get out of this situation. I liked the performance of Kaya Scodelario, who is very believable as a college swimmer, which the pilot uses to its advantage. There is no rhyme or reason why the gators are killing people, but the shark in Jaws didn’t have a reason either. He just killed.    My Rating: Bargain Matinee    Crawl Website

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I've Only Seen in Trailers But Just Looks Like a Bad Idea):  Spies in Disguise (2019) The world’s best spy (voiced by Will Smith) is turned into a pigeon, he must join forces with a low-level inventor (Tom Holland) to save the world. Did I mention that Will Smith’s character turns into a pigeon?    Spies in Disguise Website

Forgotten Film: In the Electric Mist (2009) R   Months after Hurricane Katrina has hit New Orleans, Detective Dave Robicheaux (Tommy Lee Jones) is investigating a murder of a hooker with ties to a mobster (John Goodman) who is producing a Civil War movie in the area. When the lead actor of the Civil War film, Elrod Sykes (Pete Sarsgaard) discovers a corpse on the swamp movie set, and his investigation begins. Robicheaux starts another investigation into what he thinks is a murder of a black man in 1965. If you like moody, full of twist’s murder mysteries, then this film is for you. What makes this film outstanding is the supporting cast, including Kelly Macdonald, Mary Steenburgen, Ned Beatty, Buddy Guy, John Sayles, and the great Levon Helm.   My Rating: Full Price    In the Electric Mist Info

Weird Credits: From the credits of Maleficent: Mistress of Evil: Horse Masters

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: The Current War: Director’s Cut (2017)   The story of the race between Thomas Edison (Benedict Cumberbatch), Nikola Tesla (Nichoas Hoult) and George Westinghouse (Michael Shannon) to determine whose electrical system will be adopted by the modern world. The film got caught up in the Harvey Weinstein scandal and has been sold several times since then. It has finally gotten a release date, and with this cast, I am hoping for great things.    The Current War Facebook Page

Until Next Time!

Stuber

My View:  Stuber  (2019)  R  Detective Vic (Dave Bautista) has been chasing his partner’s killer for two years without success. Vic gets a tip that the killer is going to be at a drug drop-off but it comes at the worst possible time as Vic has just got laser surgery and can’t see to drive. So gets an Uber driver Stu (Kumail Nanjiani), who is hired to take Vic on an adventure they both will remember for the rest of their lives. Ok, so this is not a great film but it is a lot of fun to watch. Bautista and Narjaiani have great chemistry and play off each other really well. I will tell you that I was a little shocked at how violent the film is with lots of blood and a ton of headshots. I also loved that one of my favorite actresses, Natalie Morales has a fairly big part in the film of playing Vic’s daughter. If you want to just go watch a film that is fun this film is for you.    My Rating:  Bargain Matinee    Stuber Website

Indiefest:  The Spy Behind Home Plate  (2019)  Documentary on baseball catcher Moe Berg, who played during the Golden Years of professional baseball. But Moe Berg led a double life, he was a spy for the US government, gathering intel on both the Japanese and the Germans. This film explores a man who was not just a ballplayer but was one of the smartest men of his time. Berg when he traveled always had an extra suitcase with him filled with books and newspapers. The man also was fearless, during WW II he traveled throughout Europe spying on the Nazi’s and recruiting scientists to come to America to work on the Atom Bomb. This film has incredible footage of Berg playing baseball and has great interviews, including interviews with Berg’s brother. You will be amazed at what this man accomplished.    My Rating: Full Price    The Spy Behind Home Plate Website

Indiefest:  Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppqble  (2018)  PG  Documentary on surfer Bethany Hamilton, who at a very young age it was thought that she was so talented she was sure to win a World’s Championship sometime in her pro career. Seemly Bethany’s dream of becoming a pro surfer was cut short when at age 13 her arm was bitten off by a 14 foot Tiger shark. Amazingly not only did Bethany take up surfing again she won tournaments. This is a beautiful and inspiring film about a remarkable woman who is such an amazing athlete but also an inspiration to young people around the world. What I enjoyed the most about the film is the remarkable footage of Bethany surfing. Using all sorts of camera angles, including underwater cameras and cameras mounted on her surfboards, you are right there watching Bethany’s high’s and lows. The starts and ends with Bethany attempting to surf ‘Jaws’ an area of surfing in Hawaii that has 60-foot waves that almost always do what is called a ‘barrel’ (where the wave curves over the surfer. I loved the drone shots that show Bethany surfing big waves from high above. Experience what it is like being a professional surfer. I guarantee you will be amazed by Bethany’s perseverance and talent.  My Rating: Full Price    Unstoppable Facebook page

My View:  Crawl  (2019) R    A Category 5 hurricane is about to hit. having not heard from her dad, Maley (Kaya Scodelario) goes to his house and finds that he is injured. But there is something down in the basement with them and it’s out for blood. This is quite a good horror film while there are a few ‘jump out of the dark’ scares, most of the film is building terror. You also can’t figure out how the father/daughter are going to get out of this situation. I liked the performance of Kaya Scodelario, who is very believable as a college swimmer, which the pilot uses to its advantage. There is no rhyme or reason why the gators are killing people but the shark in Jaws didn’t have a reason either, he just killed.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee    Crawl Info

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD / Blu-ray):  Shazam!  (2019)  PG-13    Billy Baston (Asher Angel), a newly foster kid, s picked to become a superhero named Shazam (Zachary Levi). All Billy has to do is say the word ‘Shazam’ and he becomes the world’s greatest superhero. This film is a blast to watch as the makers of the movie decided that they were just going to have fun with these characters. The film is hilarious and you may have to see it twice because you will be laughing so hard you won’t hear some of the dialogue. Zachary Levi is perfect in the role of Shazam, who throughout the film, keeps learning new powers he has. Mark Strong, as the evil Dr. Sivana, makes a good bad guy who wants to take Shazam’s powers for his own. The film is a little slow at first but really gets going once Shazam shows up and then it just takes off for plenty of thrills. The action is fast-paced and the fight sequences are well done. But it’s the humor that makes this film work and boy, does it ever. Be sure to stay through all the credits as there are two bonus scenes.    My Rating:  Full Price    Shazam! Website

Forgotten Film:  The Verdict  (1982)  R  A washed-up lawyer (Paul Newman) seeks redemption with taking on a malpractice case to trial rather than settling. Directed by five-time Oscar-nominated Sidney Lumet and written by two time nominated writer David Mamet, the film is an intriguing tale of a case that has plenty of twists and turns. The reason to see this film is the performance of Paul Newman, who starts out as a boozing loser who we begin to root for by the end of the film. It’s a riveting performance by Newman, one of his best (and that is saying a lot).  My Rating: Full Price    The Verdict Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Stuber:  Rain Effect

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw  (2019) PG-13  Lawman Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and outcast Shaw (Jason Statham) form an alliance in order to take on cyber-genetically enhanced villain who threatens the future of humanity. I have thoroughly enjoyed the Furious franchise since they decided to escape reality and make the cast superheroes. This one should be a lot of fun.    Hobbs and Shaw Website

Until Next Time!