American Assassin

My View:  American Assassin  (2017)  R  Michael Rapp (Dylan O’Brien) is recruited to become black ops for the CIA. He and his trainer, Stan Hurley (Michael Keaton), set out to stop a mysterious operative nicknamed, Ghost (Taylor Kitsch), who is set on starting a world war in the Middle East.  I liked the action sequences in this film which are well done and exciting. Dylan O’Brien makes for a sterling young hot-head agent, and Michael Keaton as the gruff CIA Black Ops chief is fun to watch because he is obviously enjoying this role. What I didn’t like about this film is that it seems even longer than its almost two-hour length, and I hated the way over-the-top performance of Taylor Kitsch, who plays the ex CIA agent called, Ghost, and who is determined to get revenge. I never got the feeling that he was dangerous, just that his character was crazy. As exciting that the fight sequences are, there are some car chases that are just downright boring. This film is based on a series of books by Vince Flynn, which the studio is hoping will be a franchise like the Jason Bourne or Jack Reacher films, but I doubt we will see any more of this series because this movie misses the mark.    My Rating: Bargain Matinee   American Assassin Website  Note: This film is released by CBS Films and I am employee of CBS Television Station Group.

Indiefest:  First They Killed My Father  (2017)  R  Cambodian author and human rights activist Loung Ung recounts her life under the rule of the Khmer Rouge.  This is a stunning and touching film about a young girl who, under horrible conditions, never loses her humanity. Co-writer/director Angelina Jolie brings us a true tale of the unspeakable suffering that the Cambodian people endured under the rule of the Khmer Rouge. This is Jolie’s best work, and the care and affection she shows on the screen for the people of Cambodia and Loung Ung  (Sareum Srey Moch), in particular, is immense. Sareum Srey Moch is dazzling in the role of a little girl who is forced to grow up much too soon, bringing an emotional performance to the screen that is worthy of someone three times her age. Jolie has written this film with an emphasis on seeing the journey through the eyes of Loung Ung, and our heart breaks throughout the film as she struggles to survive an unjust world. I will warn you that there are several very graphic scenes of people dying in fire fights, but that’s Jolie’s intention as she wants to portray war as an ugly, dirty thing, and that families suffer the most during those times.    My Rating: Full Price   First They Killed My Father Website

Indiefest:  mother!  (2017)  R  A couple’s (Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem) love is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their lives forever. This is a trippy and strange film that not everyone will enjoy. This is unlike the usual Jennifer Lawrence film, it’s a movie that is an allegory, so it isn’t rooted in reality. The film is beautifully shot, and I loved all the sounds that this movie has, so make sure that if you want to see this film, see it in a theatre. The film is hard to watch at times, and there are a couple of scenes that are just brutal to watch. This is defiantly a movie that will have you talking about it for a long time after you leave the theatre. Lawrence and Bardem are brilliant in the roles and have incredible chemistry on the screen. mother! is a film that will cause you to think and try to figure out just what it all means. Sometimes we need that in a film, something to make you think instead of just reacting.   My Review:  Full Price   Mother! Website

Forgotten Film:  Mean Streets  (1973)  R  Two small time hoods (Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel)  are trying to move up in the mob from the streets of New York City’s Little Italy. Both men are destined to a sad and violent end. Robert De Niro, as the psychotic, troubled gangster, Johnny Boy, is mesmerizing in the role. His performance is riveting, and you can’t take your eyes off of him as he gives it all on screen. Keitel, as the hood with a heart, is just as spellbinding in his role. This is a gritty, tough film that set the definition for mob movies and is a treasure to watch.   My Rating:  I Would Pay to See It Again   Mean Streets Website  

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD/Blu-Ray): Paris Can Wait  (2017)  PG  The wife (Diane Lane) of a successful movie producer takes a car trip from the south of France to Paris with one of her husband’s associates (Arnaud Viard ). To say that they are going to take the scenic route would be an understatement. If you are a foodie, this is the film for you. The couple takes a leisurely trip through France, centering their journey on the fine cuisine of the country.  Lane’s character loves food, so much so, that she takes endless pictures of her plates, and we see the results (some of which could grace the cover of Bon Appetit magazine). Lane and Viard play off each other extremely well, and there is quite a bit of sexual tension between the two that builds to the very end. The scenery is beautiful, and the food looks almost too beautiful to eat. If you want to imagine dining your way across France, this film isn’t a bad way to go.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Paris Can Wait Website

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I've Only Seen in Trailers But Just Looks Like a Bad Idea):  Daddy’s Home 2 (2017)  Brad (Will Ferrell) and Dusty (Mark Wahlberg) must deal with their fathers (Mel Gibson, John Lithgow) during the holidays. I hated the first film, so why would I want to see a sequel?   Daddy's Home Facebook Page

Weird Credits:  From the credits of American Assassin:  Props: Hair Punching

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Murder on the Orient Express  (2017)  A murder has occurred on the lavish train, ‘The Orient Express.’  Lucky for us, the world’s greatest detective, Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh), is on the case. An all-star cast, which includes Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, Penelope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, and Johnny Deep make this a must see film.    Murder on the Orient Express Website

Until Next Time!

SaveSave

IT

My View:  IT   (2017)  R   A group of bullied kids ban together when a monster named, Pennywise (Bill Skarsgard), has taken the appearance of a clown and begins hunting children. This is a coming of age film, so it’s as if Stand by Me or E.T. had been made into a horror film.  Bill Skarsgard makes a scary and riveting Pennywise, the menacing clown who preys on children. The two lead kids, Sophia Lillis, who plays Beverly, a young woman with a bad rep, and Jaeden Lieberher, who plays Bill, a young man who is constantly picked on because of his stutter problem, are outstanding in a cast of superlative young actors. My problem with this film is that all the scary parts of this movie are the ‘jump out of the dark’ variety of frights. While I did jump a few times, I never felt the level of fear that I need from this type of film. The film also gets a little repetitious, as we are shown each kid’s thing that makes them the most frightened. Each time a kid is lured into a situation where they are confronted by their worst nightmare, like a scary painting coming to life, and, then when they are totally frightened, Pennywise shows up to attack. It just gets a little old after a while. What I did love about IT is its remarkable amount of humor. The kids have some awesome lines that help break the tension which makes this film so much fun to watch.   My Rating:  Full Price   IT Website

My View:  Home Again  (2017)  PG-13   Alice (Reese Witherspoon) is a single mom living in Los Angeles.  Her life changes when she lets three young men move in with her. This film was written and directed by a woman, and it shows because Alice is the focal point of this movie, and she doesn’t need to be rescued by a man or have her life fulfilled by one. Alice is a strong woman who, while still figuring out how to make it on her own with two kids, is getting along just fine. Her and her kids’ lives are enriched when the three guys move into her guest house, bringing a new perspective to the home. This is a perfect Reese Witherspoon vehicle that allows her to drive the film as only she can do with spunk and humor. I loved how the film ends, leaving it up to us to figure out where Alice’s life goes next. Home Again is a perfect ‘girls night out’ film but one that also can be a great ‘date night’ outing.  My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   Home Again Website

Indiefest:  Columbus  (2017)  Jin (John Cho) is a Korean-born man who finds himself stuck in Columbus, Indiana because his father is in a coma. He meets Casey (Haley Lu Richardson), a young woman who is staying in Columbus because she has to support her mother who is a recovering addict. Writer/director Kogonada brings us a magical film about family, relationships and dreaming of things that you think can't come true. The film takes place in Columbus, Indiana, the “Midwest Mecca of Architecture,” and its magnificent buildings are the backdrop for this film. Every shot utilizes these brilliant buildings, making you really feel a part of the landscape. What I love about this film is that the two characters slowly peel back the layers of Jin and Casey as their conversations continue. The characters become part of the architecture, interacting with it and exploring it. Casey has even numbered her favorite buildings like a film lover would rate movies. Columbus is a movie that will hold you spellbound as it explores the importance of relationships, the ones that we honor and the ones that we have to leave to better ourselves.    My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again   Columbus Facebook Page

Forgotten Film:  Tom Horn  (1980)  R  A legendary cowboy, Tom Horn (Steve McQueen), is hired by a group of ranchers to hunt down a group of rustlers. His methods are too brutal for the turn of the century community. Horn is a man of strong convictions but is stuck in the past, and that just might be his undoing. McQueen, in one of his last roles, is powerful and intense as the grizzled old cowboy. While the story drags at some points, it’s still worth watching McQueen do his magic on the screen.   My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   Tom Horn Info

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD/Blu-Ray):  Megan Leavey  (2017)  PG-13  Megan Leavey (Kate Mara) is a troubled soul who has lost her best friend. She decides to join the Marines and become a bomb-sniffing dog handler. The bond she develops with her dog allows her to save many Marines’ lives on more than 100 missions. I loved this film about a woman who has no purpose in life until she meets a dog named, Rex, who teaches her how to love. This is Kate Mara’s finest performance, and it’s a brilliant one. Touching and heartwarming, she gives us a woman who fights for her best friend, her dog.  The story is a true one, and that makes the film even more poignant and moving. Skip the recent superhero movies and see a movie about two real life heroes.   My Rating: Full Price   Megan Leavey Website

Weird Credits:  From the credits of IT:  Hair for Pennywise/Bill Skarsgard

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Mother!  (2017)  A couple’s (Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem) love is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their lives forever. Although the trailer is very confusing, this is one of the most talked about films of the fall season.   Mother! Facebook Page

Until Next Time!