Deadpool 2

My View:  Deadpool 2 (2018)  R  Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) is back, and this time he has assembled a team to take on a mercenary from the future named, Cable (Josh Brolin), who is out to kill a young boy (Julian Dennison).  I thought the first film was one of the best movies of 2016, and, while not quite as inventive as the first, Deadpool 2 offers a fun ride with plenty of surprises. This film, like the first, never takes itself too seriously, even when there is a sad moment. Deadpool 2 has thrilling fight sequences and, along the way, introduces a bunch of new and exciting characters. Make sure to stay through the first section of end credits because they contain some of the best post-credit sequences I have ever seen. Just remember, this film is raunchy and isn’t meant for young children. I had a blast watching Deadpool2, continually laughing throughout and you will too.   My Rating: I Would Pay to See It Again    Deadpool 2 Website

My View: Book Club  (2018)  PG-13  Four lifelong friends (Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Mary Steenburgen) get together once a month to drink wine and discuss their lives. A certain trashy romantic book is about to change them.  I liked this film, mostly due to the performances of the four leading ladies. The storyline is a little weak, but the film treats the four women with dignity and humor. Don Johnson, who plays an old flame of Fonda’s character, has the best storyline of the secondary characters, and he is perfect for the role. Book Club is an enjoyable comedy that shows that life after sixty can be fun, adventurous and it is possible to find love again. So, grab a glass of wine and watch four amazing actresses work their magic.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee    Book Club Website

Family Faire:  Show Dogs  (2018)  PG  Max (voiced by Ludacris), a police dog used to being on his own, is partnered with an FBI agent (Will Arnett) to go undercover and track down an animal smuggler at a prestigious dog show. One of the dogs in this film says, “They don’t make films about talking dogs anymore, and there is a reason.  Talking dog movies are horrible.” I think the only time I laughed was when Will Arnett made a joke about the Lego Batman movie. The plot makes no sense, is highly predictable and feels much longer than its ninety-two minutes.  Only very young children will enjoy this film, and adults will probably take a nap.  My Rating: You Would Have to Pay Me to See It Again    Show Dogs Website

Forgotten Film:  Across the Universe (2007)  PG-13  A love story told in song between an upper-class American girl (Evan Rachel Wood) and a poor British artist. The film is set in the 1960’s and uses more than thirty Beatle songs to tell the story of the two lovers. Across the Universe is a very unusual, intriguing film that uses even animation to move the story along. What I love about this movie is that it doesn’t always play the Beatles songs the way that they did. Slow songs are performed quickly, and happy songs are used to express sorrow. If you are a Beatle fan or a fan of musicals, you will enjoy this film.  My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   Across the Universe Info

Weird Credits:   From the credits of Deadpool 2: Chinook Helicopter Tech Advisor

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Hearts Beat Loud  (2018)  A father (Nick Offerman) and his daughter (Kiersey Clemons) bond over writing and performing songs before she goes off to college.  This film was one of the movies that wowed audiences at the Atlanta Film Festival.   Hearts Beat Loud Info

Until Next Time!

Avengers: Infinity War

My View:  Avengers: Infinity War  (2018)  PG-13 The Avengers and their allies must risk all to defeat the mighty Thanos (Josh Brolin before he destroys the universe.  First, the film moves along at a brisk speed, which makes the film seems shorter than its 2 hours and thirty-minutes. I loved that other than focusing on the main bad guy, Thanos, the film does a great of spreading out the storyline to all the good guys, so no one dominates the film, with the exception of Thor, who steals a little bit of the thunder (pun intended) in the last third of the film. Thanos is one of the best bad guys in the Marvel universe who has a plan to kill half the world’s population. The action scenes are well done and intense, and I especially loved the dialogue when the Guardians of the Galaxy are on screen.  The director of the first two Guardians films, James Gunn, wrote the dialogue for those scenes. I will warn you that young kids may be upset because there are some superhero deaths in the film, one of which is incredibly moving. Do stay through all the credits for a bonus scene that will set up the next Avengers film.   My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   Avengers: Infinity War Website

Indiefest:  Lean on Pete  (2018)  R   A troubled teen named, Charley (Charlie Plummer), starts working for a cantankerous horse trainer (Steve Buscemi). Ray falls in love with a quarter horse named, Lean on Pete, that, if he doesn’t start winning, the horse will be sold.  Charlie Plummer gives a mesmerizing performance as a teen who falls in love with a horse and will do everything in his power to keep it alive. A great deal of this film is Charlie talking to the horse about his life, his loves, and his troubles. Buscemi and Plummer have great chemistry on screen, and the little heart to heart talks that they do are magical. Lean on Pete is not a film for children as there are some very adult themes in the movie, and there is one scene in particular not made for kids. Go see this small bittersweet film that has a ton of heart.  My Rating: Full Price   Lean on Pete Website

Forgotten Film:  Akira  (1988)  R  In a post-World War III era, a secret military project endangers the city of Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a psychopath. The city’s only hope is two teenagers who, with the help of a group of psychics, try and stop the psychopath’s rampage. The reason to see this film is the detailed animation (hand drawn) that gives this movie its super realistic look. The storyline is very adult, and there is quite a bit of grisly violence, but it’s worth checking out.  My Rating: Full Price    Akira Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Avengers: Infinity War:  Weather Consultant

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Dead Pool 2 (2018)  This is what the studio left for the synopsis of the film on IMDB which sums up their rather creative marketing campaign:  After surviving a near-fatal bovine attack, a disfigured cafeteria chef (Wade Wilson) struggles to fulfill his dream of becoming Mayberry's hottest bartender while also learning to cope with his lost sense of taste. Searching to regain his spice for life, as well as a flux capacitor, Wade must battle ninjas, the Yakuza, and a pack of sexually aggressive canines, as he journeys around the world to discover the importance of family.    Deadpool 2 Website

Until Next Time!

Fifty Shades Freed

My View:  Fifty Shades Freed  (2018) R  Anastasia (Dakota Johnson) and Christian (Jamie Doman) are married, but their marriage is threatened by Jake Hyde (Eric Johnson). For a movie that has a ton of sex scenes, this is one unsexy film. With a plot that makes very little sense, the film moves from one sex scene to another; sometimes there is almost no space between them. The dialogue is laughable. Early on Anastasia says, “Boobs in Boobland” to give you an idea of the sparkling wit this film displays. The two leads have absolutely no chemistry on screen, and the sex scenes feel like two actors doing a sex scene instead of two passionate people in love. You can almost hear the director off camera giving them cues on what they should do to each other next. If you took out all the sex in this movie, you would have a beautiful travelogue about some very rich tourist spots, but it would still be a very dull movie.    My Rating: You Would Have to Pay Me to See It Again   Fifty Shades Freed Website

Indiefest:  Spilled Milk  (2017)  A documentary about two lifelong friends, Omar and Jaqai (the director of the film), and how Omar’s Sickle Cell Disease affects both of their lives. Using animation and humor, the film explores what Sickle Cell Disease is, the effects that it has on the people who have it, and the possible cure for it. We get an inside look at just how devastating this disease is as it continually puts Omar in the hospital when he experiences so much pain. The film also spotlights just how little doctors and nurses know about the disease since they rarely encounter someone who has it. Spilled Milk is an imaginative and fascinating look at a disease that I knew very little about, but this isn’t just a documentary about a disease, it’s also about friendship.   My Rating:  Full Price   Spilled Milk Website

In Case You Missed It (Movies just released on DVD/BluRay):  A Bad Moms Christmas (2017)  R   The bad moms (Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, and Kathryn Hahn) are back, and they are tired of creating the perfect Christmas, so they plan to rebel like the bad moms they are. I liked the first film, but this one misses the mark. I only laughed once and giggled a couple of more times, but that’s it because most of the material just isn’t funny. I love the three leads, but they are let down by a very skimpy plot that you can see coming from almost the film’s first frame. I also missed Christina Applegate, who was the villain in the first film but only makes a cameo in this one.   My Rating:  Cable    A Bad Moms Christmas Website

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I've Only Seen in Trailers but Just Looks Like a Bad Idea):  Acrimony (2018)  R  A faithful wife (Taraji P. Henson) tires of standing by her cheating husband (Lyriq Bent) when she discovers that he is leaving her for another woman. Now it’s time for revenge. Look, I love Taraji P. Henson, but all I have to say about this film is that it’s written and directed by Tyler Perry.    Acrimony Info

Forgotten Film:  Zathura: A Space Adventure  (2005)  PG  Two brothers (Jonah Bobo, Josh Hutcherson) began playing an old board game, and suddenly their home is hurled through space. Think Jumanji in space, but a whole lot more fun. As the brothers play the game (they figure out that the only way they are going to get back to earth is to finish the game) their actions become more dangerous. The film is a blast to watch, and the two kids work well with each other on the screen. I enjoyed the performance of Dax Shepard who plays an astronaut they pick up along the way.    My Rating: Full Price   Zathura: A Space Adventure Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Fifty Shades Freed:  Truck Costumer

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Deadpool 2 (Untitled Deadpool Sequel)  (2018)  I have no clue what this film will be about (read the IMDB summary, it’s hilarious). All I know is I loved the first one and can’t wait to see this one.   Untitled Deadpool Sequel Website

Until Next Time!