Logan

My View:  Logan  (2017)  R  Logan (Hugh Jackman) is tired of all the battles 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. Logan is the X-Men/Wolverine movie that you have always wanted. It’s gritty, bleak and incredibly well done. A bit of a warning, this is a hard R rated film with a ton of very gory violence and quite a bit of cussing, so do not take young kids to see this movie. I loved the action sequences in this film, as its fast paced and doesn’t use a lot of “shaky cam.” Hugh Jackman puts everything he can into the role of the world-weary Logan. While there isn’t a closing credit sequence, don’t be late to the theatre because there is a great opening sequence that is not to be missed.   My Rating:  Full Price   Logan Website

My View:  Before I Fall  (2017)  PG-13  Samantha (Zoey Deutch) is a high school student who keeps reliving the same day over and over. If you had one day to do all over again, how would you do things differently?  This is a “groundhog” type of movie which doesn’t work because the main character keeps doing the same things. This film wants us to root for Samantha, but the problem is she isn’t a likable person. She is part of a “mean girls” group of friends who are self-centered and only concerned about having a good time.  The storyline is boring and predictable with an ending that is too simple to work.    My Rating: Cable   Before I Fall Website

Indiefest:  Table 19  (2017)  PG-13  Ex-maid of honor Eloise (Anna Kendrick), after being dumped by the best man who is the brother of  the bride, Eloise decides to attend the wedding anyway and is assigned to the losers table, table 19.  This is an entertaining movie that is smart and whimsical. The film starts out like it’s your normal, big cast funny event movie, but soon the tone of the film changes and gives us clues to why each member has ended up at the table of people the wedding party invited but hoped wouldn’t show.  Kendrick is her usual dorky, adorable self. The rest of the cast is outstanding with June Squibb as the bride’s former nanny, giving a dazzling performance.  I loved the ending which is as brilliant as the rest of the film.   My Rating:  Full Price   Table 19 Website

Indiefest:  Kedi  (2016)  Istanbul is famous for its cats, most of which live on the streets. The film focuses on seven cats and how people interact with them. On the surface, this documentary looks like it would be boring and stupid, but it’s just the opposite. It’s a fun look at the lives of cats that roam the streets of a very colorful city. Using unique camera angles and close-ups, we get to know and love seven very different cats and the unusual people that interact with them. Each cat profiled in the film has a distinct personality. There is the polite cat that never begs for food, the bully cat that is always protecting her turf and her man. Some cats in the film love to be petted, others almost disdain any contact with humans. All the cats profiled in the movie are “homeless,” but each have marked territories that they frequent. This is a funny and fascinating film that even a person who doesn’t like cats will love.    My Rating: Full Price    Kedi Website

Forgotten Film:  Michael  (1996)  PG  Three reporters (Robert Pastorelli, William Hurt, Andie MacDowell), working for a tabloid newspaper, are sent to Iowa to investigate reports that an angel is living at a small, remote motel. They discover that yes, an angel named Michael (John Travolta) is living there, soaking up earth on his last visit ever (angels can only visit a set number of times).  Travolta is the reason to see this film, as he plays an angel who is living it up, sometimes at the expense of others. He’s there to help these reporters rediscover love and a reason for living. Michael is an enjoyable and charming film that is just fun to watch.    My Rating: Full Price   Michael Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Logan:  Stunt Pre-Viz

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  The Zookeeper’s Wife  (2017)  PG-13  During WWII, the keepers of the Warsaw Zoo helped save hundreds of people and the animals during the German occupation.  You had me at “starring Jessica Chastain.”   The Zookeeper's Wife Website

Until Next Time!

Get Out

My View:  Get Out  (2017)  R  College students Rose (Allison Williams) and Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) have been dating for awhile, and now it’s time for Chris to meet Rose’s parents.  Rose hasn’t told her parents (Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford) about Chris. Rose talks Chris into a visit but doesn’t tell him about the dark secret about her town - that the area has a history of young black men disappearing. This is one of the most unconventional horror films that I have ever seen. It’s a creative film that flips the conventional horror film on its head. The audience I saw this film with ate it up, and yes, it does contain some funny moments, but most of those moments are there to relieve the tension. This is one film that you will not forget. Think The Stepford Wives meets Misery.   My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again   Get Out Website

Family Faire:  Rock Dog  (2017)  PG  Bodi (Luke Wilson) has always known that he was a little different from his father, Khampa  (J.K. Simmons), who feels his son should follow in his own footsteps and protect the flock. Instead, Bodi decides to go to the big city and try and become a rock star like his hero Angus (Eddie Izzard). Combine ugly looking animation with unmemorable original songs and a storyline that is predictable, and you get this film. The film is boring and only very small kids will enjoy this movie.  The only redeemable aspect is J.K. Simmons who does his best to bring some life to this film, but even his efforts aren’t enough to make this movie watchable.   My Rating:  You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again   Rock Dog Website

Indiefest:  The Red Turtle  (2016)  PG  A man is shipwrecked on a deserted island.  After the man tries numerous attempts to leave the island, a red turtle crawls onto the beach and turns into a woman. The pair eventually form a relationship. The dazzling and exquisite animation make this film a joy to watch. Other than a couple of shouts, there isn’t any dialogue, but the marvelous storyline doesn’t need any. This enchanting and extraordinary film is one that you do not want to miss.   My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again   The Red Turtle Website

Indiefest:  Bitter Harvest  (2017)  R  Set in the time of the Soviet famine of 1932, a young artist (Max Irons) fights to survive starvation, detainment, and torture to protect his childhood sweetheart (Samantha Barks). Yuri escapes from a Soviet prison and battles to free Ukraine from Stalin’s reign. I wish this was a better film because this is a story that needs to be told, but, sadly, it fails on almost every level. It’s an earnest attempt, but it’s strong in neither the romance nor the drama department. The action sequences are sloppily done, and the dialogue is choppy. The film seems like one of the old made-for-TV movies of the 70s.   My Rating:  Cable   Bitter Harvest Website   

Forgotten Film:  The Thomas Crown Affair  (1968)  R  A playboy bank executive (Steve McQueen) believes he has pulled off the greatest multi-million dollar heist. He might have gotten away with it, but an insurance investigator (Faye Dunaway) is hot on his heels.  McQueen and Dunaway were at their best in this film, and the cinematography by Academy-Award-winning Haskell Wexler is gorgeous. It’s fun to watch the two main characters match wits in this movie, and there are some impressive twists and turns in the plot. The 1999 remake with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo is probably a better film, but it’s a treat to watch McQueen and Dunaway do their magic on the screen.  My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   The Thomas Crowne Affair Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Bitter Harvest:  Art Tuition

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Table 19  (2017)  PG-13  Ex-maid of honor Eloise (Anna Kendrick), after being dumped by the best man.  She decides to attend the wedding anyway and is assigned to the losers table, table 19. You had me at Anna Kendrick.   Table 19 Website

Until Next Time!