Deepwater Horizon

My View:  Deepwater Horizon  (2016)  PG-13  Mike Williams (Mark Wahlberg) is the chief electronics technician on the floating oil rig named, Deepwater Horizon. Williams will need all his skills when the rig explodes and creates one of the worst oil spills of all time.  It takes a while to get this film going but once the explosions start, the film seems to move at breathtaking speed. I loved the action in this movie, and director Peter Berg knows how to film those scenes to get the audience right there in with the characters. The movie has an outstanding cast with Kurt Russell giving a stellar performance as the safety expert of the rig and Gina Rodriquez, who gives a sympathetic and moving performance as the pilot of the rig.  There is tremendous chemistry between Russell and Wahlberg, which makes their characters seem more like father and son than co-workers. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I was mesmerized by the thrilling action sequences and gripping performances.   My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again    Deepwater Horizon Website

My View:  Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children  (2016)  PG-13  Jake (Asa Butterfield) goes on a quest to find the home that his grandfather told so many stories about.  First off I must tell you not to take young children to this film. There are parts that are quite scary, and there is one scene that would be disturbing to young kids (heck, it was disturbing to me). I liked this film and feel it is one of the better adaptations of a Young Adult book genre.  The storyline is fascinating and inventive.  The special effects are well done and fun. I especially enjoyed Eva Green’s performance as Miss Peregrine, as she made her character likable but also very strange. The bad guys, led by Samuel L. Jackson, are creepy and sometimes shocking, which gives a horror tinge to the film.  I enjoyed the ending of the movie and hope there will be more as I would like to revisit this strange world of “peculiar children.”    My Rating:  Full Price   Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children Website

My View:  Masterminds  (2016)  PG-13  David (Zach Galifianakis) is a security guard who drives an armored car every day. With a group of half-brained criminals, David does the impossible and steals more than $17 million.  Now, will he be able to keep the money? While I did enjoy that not just one, but two characters share my name, overall I did not enjoy this film.  The laughs were few and far between and most I had already seen from the trailer/commercials. A little of Galifianakis shtick goes a long way, and I grew tired of his character very early on. I did enjoy the quirky performance of Kate McKinnon, who plays David’s weird fiancé. Her character steals the film, as she deadpan’s her way throughout. The plot is based on a true story, but it’s predictable and, at times, just not funny.   My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   Masterminds Website

Indiefest:  The Dressmaker  (2015)  R  A glamorous woman, Tilly (Kate Winslet) returns to her small town in rural Australia.  While she changes the style and dress of the women of the small town, she is there to get revenge on those who did her wrong in the past. I enjoyed this film that is part mystery, part revenge film, and part comedy. Winslet is scintillating as the stylish woman in the couture dresses clashing with the people of a small, isolated town.  Judy Davis is perfect as the crazy mother that Tilly has come back to care for. I loved Hugo Weaving as the police officer in town who has a penchant for wearing women's clothing. And there is great chemistry between Winslet and Liam Hemsworth, who plays her love interest. There are plenty of twists and turns to make the mystery interesting, and you won’t believe the ending. Tilly is a beautiful woman on a mission, someone you might want to meet, but you wouldn’t want to get on her bad side.  My Rating:  Full Price  The Dressmaker Website

Forgotten Films:  The Seven-Ups  (1973)  PG  Buddy (Roy Scheider) is part of an elite police team that is little known and mostly undercover.  The team focuses on crimes that can get more than seven years in prison when convicted.  When investigating the murder of his partner, Buddy uncovers a plot to kidnap mobsters for large ransoms.  This is a smart and gritty film where the cops don’t always follow the rules to get their convictions. Scheider is intense and scintillating as the cop on a mission that may get him killed. There is an rousing car chase that rivals the car chase sequence in the 1968 film Bullitt.   My Rating:  Full Price   The Seven-Ups Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Masterminds:  Props; Silicone Eel

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Underworld: Blood Wars (2016)  I am a sucker for Kate Beckinsale and her portrayal of the kickass vampire Selene. The first film is still the best one in the series, but I am just happy to have her back killing vamps.   Underworld: Blood Wars Info

Until Next Time!

Sully

My View:  Sully  (2016)  PG-13  The story of Chesley Sullenberger (Tom Hanks), “Sully,” who became a hero when he landed his engineless plane on the Hudson River, saving 150 lives. This is an uplifting, engaging, solid effort from both director Clint Eastwood and lead actor Tom Hanks. This film has some problems, mostly with a plot that jumps around in the timeline but overall it hits the right notes.  The action sequences of the water landing (not a crash) is exciting and thrilling, even though you know the outcome. IMAX greatly helps make the film feel up close and detailed. What I liked about this movie is that it highlights not only the great pilot skills and leadership that Sully exhibited but also that there were others that contributed to the fact that all 155 passengers and crew survived. It truly was a team effort and gave a well-deserved shot int the arm to the citizens of New York City. Be sure to stay through the credits for a very emotional bonus. My Rating;  Full Price   Sully Website  

The 50  (A Movie from My Best/Worst Films of All-Time):   #2 Best Film:  Gone With the Wind  (1939)  The classic love story between the rebellious Southern belle,  Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh), and a fiery blockade gunrunner Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) during the Civil War.  Vivien Leigh is the reason that this film works as well as it does. She has the acting chops to make us love a character who isn’t very likable. She dominates every scene she is in, even with acting greats such as Gable, Olivia de Havilland and Leslie Howard. It’s a legendary film that lives up to its billing.  

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I’ve Only Seen in Trailers but Just Looks Like a Bad Idea):  Bad Santa 2  (2016)  R  It’s hard to put lightning in a bottle twice, and I just don’t think this Billy Bob Thornton starring role will work a 2nd time.  The first film was greatly aided by winning performances from Lauren Graham and Bernie Mac, both of which will be absent from this film.  Bad Santa 2 Website

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD / Blu-ray):  Now You See Me 2 (2016)  I hated this movie about the Four Horsemen getting back together and being pranked by a tech prodigy played by Daniel Radcliffe. I liked the first movie, mostly for the magic scenes which I thought were creative and fun. That’s the problem with this film: it’s a movie about magicians that doesn’t have any magic in it. The closest to believable magic in the film is when the cast throws a playing card around during a heist. The film is boring, predictable and just not much fun.  My Rating: Cable   Now You See Me 2 Website

Forgotten Film:  Reuben, Reuben (1983)  R  Things are not going well for Scottish poet Gowan McGland (Tom Conti). He has lost his job as a professor, hasn’t written a poem in ages, has developed a drinking problem and is on a lecture tour that he despises.  He is feeling pretty sorry for himself when he meets Geneva (Kelly McGillis) and his world changes. Tom Conti gives a dazzling performance as the forlorn poet who has lost his will to write. McGillis is sensational as the woman who sees Gowan for the man who he really is and it changes his life. While not a funny film, it’s a character study performed by a superb cast worth checking out.  My Rating:  Bargain Matinee    Reuben, Reuben Infor  

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Sully:  Lead Lighter

Coming Soon to a Theater Near You:  The Dressmaker  (2016)   A glamorous woman (Kate Winslet) returns to her small town in rural Australia.  While she changes the style and dress of the women of the small town, she is there to get revenge on those who did her wrong in the past.  The film has won more than ten awards in Australia and was the toast of the film festival circuit in America.   The Dressmaker Website

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Until Next Time!