How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

Family Faire:  How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World  (2019)  PG  When Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) discovers that Toothless isn’t the only Night Fury dragon, he must seek ‘The Hidden World.’ a secret dragon utopia with Astrid (America Ferrera) before a hired tyrant named Grimmel (F. Murray Abraham) finds it.  The third and final film in the series is a fitting ending to a wonderful series of films about the love of a young man and his faithful dragon companion. The animation is striking, the storyline is heartfelt and the film moves at a nice pace. I am going to miss these characters that I have grown so fond of. One warning, if you haven’t seen the other two films in the series, you need to watch them before you take in this one.  My Take:  Full Price   How to Train Your Dragon Website

My View:  Fighting With My Family  (2019)  PG  Sayara (Florence Pugh) has been dreaming of wrestling in the WWE since she was thirteen, working small shows that her family puts on in England. She gets her chance when she is picked from a tryout with the WWE. Now can she beat the odds and make it to the big time? I am going to say something shocking, this is a really good movie! I can’t believe I am saying this about a WWE production, but the movie is fun, touching and moving. Now be warned that Dwayne Johnson is only in two scenes in the film but both are fun to watch. I loved all the cameos that the WWE wrestlers did in the film. The wrestling scenes are well done and Pugh is a force on the screen. Go see this film!   My Rating:  Full Price   Fighting With My Family Website

In Case You Missed It (A movie just released on DVD/Blu-Ray):  Can You Ever Forgive Me?  (2018)  R    Lee Israel (Melissa McCarthy) has made her living writing about celebrities. When she falls out of style and can’t get published, she begins to forges letters from deceased authors and playwrights. Melissa McCarthy gives a stunning performance of someone who is utterly unlikeable. In fact both her character and her best friend, Jack (played superbly by Richard E. Grant), a gay man who doesn’t seem to have a job or a home, are horrible people. McCarthy’s character thinks that she is the greatest writer in the world and that nobody realizes that. It makes Lee bitter and angry at the world. Jack gets by on his looks, which are rapidly fading as he ages, and by selling cocaine. The film is entertaining to watch as we wait for when it will all fall apart for Lee. You are not going to like these characters, but you are going to love the film and its performances.    My Rating: Full Price     Can You Ever Forgive Me? Website

Forgotten Film:  Otley  (1969)  Otley (Tom Courtenay) is a down and out antique dealer and sometime pickpocket that gets thrown out of his apartment for not paying rent. He sleeps that night in a friends home for the night and wakes up two days later in an airport field. He finds out he is wanted for killing his friend and then finds himself entangled in international espionage. Because of the success of the James Bond books and films, the 60s were filled with spy thrillers but also films that made fun of the spy thrillers. This is a fun ride with a number of twist and turns that make this film so much fun to watch. Courtenay is brilliant in the role of an everyday guy that gets caught up in stuff that is way over his head.  My Rating:  Full Price    Otley Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Fighting With My Family: Personal Barber to Dwayne Johnson

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Apollo 11  (2019)  G  Documentary on the Apollo 11 mission that placed the first man on the moon. I really want to see this film on an IMAX screen. The film won the editing award and was up for the Grand Jury award at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival.     Apollo 11 Info

Until Next Time!

San Andreas

My View: San Andreas  (2015)   PG-13   For years California has been trying to prepare for the “Big One,” and now it has happened. A series of earthquakes occur, and rescue chopper pilot, Ray (Dwayne Johnson), is making every effort to find his daughter (Alexandra Daddario). This is your standard disaster film where California, especially San Francisco, is falling apart due to massive earthquakes. Dwayne Johnson plays a fire and rescue guy who forgets that he is a public servant, passing up thousands of people in need of rescue to go and find his wife and daughter. In this two-hour movie, he rescues a total of four people…four, which is the same amount of vehicles that he flies or rides. The effects are fun to watch and there are a couple of scenes that are spectacular looking (the start of the film is some of the best part of the film), but the storyline is weak and some of the dialogue is laughable. The film is a disaster movie that doesn’t bring anything new to the screen. The film was shot in 3D, but I didn’t notice the 3D effects, so save your money and see it on a regular screen.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee   San Andreas Website 

My View: Aloha  (2015)  PG-13  Brian (Bradley Cooper), a former Air Force pilot, comes back to the site of some of his biggest triumphs and his most spectacular failures. As a private defense contractor, he has to work closely with a gung-ho Air Force Pilot (Emma Stone), and against his better judgment, he starts to fall for her. Complicating matters is his ex-wife (Rachel McAdams) who still lives in the area. Watching this movie is like walking into a conversation that has been going on for two hours. It took me a long time into the film to figure out what was going on, and I still don’t know exactly what Bradley Cooper’s job is. Is he a fighter pilot? Is he a computer coder? I just don’t know. I didn’t like how Emma Stone’s character was such a strong, independent woman at the start of the film and then boom, she is in love and can’t do anything without Bradley Cooper’s character. Bill Murray is fun as an owner of a private company that is launching a satellite, but his scenes are few and far between. Rachel McAdams is wasted as the ex-wife of Cooper’s character, and John Krasinski is used even less. There is a comedic scene near the end of the film that is quite funny, but the scene’s tone (broad comedy) doesn’t fit the rest of the movie. This is another one of those films whose cast is let down by the film’s script and director. By the way, there is a bonus scene during credits but like most of the film, I have no idea what is going on during them.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Aloha Website 

Indiefest: I’ll See You in My Dreams (2015)  PG-13   Carol (Blythe Danner) is a widow who lost her husband 20 years ago. Her beloved dog dies, which propels her to make changes in her life. With the help of her pool guy (Martin Starr) and a possible romantic encounter with a rich man (Sam Elliott), she just might succeed. "I'll See You in My Dreams" is that rare film, part romantic comedy, part drama, whose main character is over sixty and a woman. The film doesn't always work, but it's an earnest attempt at exploring the possibilities of life when older and alone. Danner and Elliott have incredible chemistry on screen, and their scenes together are some of the best of the film. I also loved the scenes between Martin Starr and Danner. They work well on screen, and their experience at a Karaoke bar is a lot of fun. The weakest points of the film are when the film tries to go into broader comedy, especially the scene where Carol and her friends try marijuana. Overall, this is a sweet and moving film with some outstanding performances.   My Rating: Full Price   I'll See You in My Dreams Website 

Indiefest: Sunshine Superman (2015)  PG   A documentary about Carl Boenish, who started the sport of BASE jumping – where you skydive off of buildings, bridges, and mountains. I loved this documentary. Boenish is a character and is extremely likable. He gets excited just talking about jumping off of buildings or cliffs. The footage is remarkable as Boenish was an early adopter of the helmet mounted camera. While the film documents Boenish’s attempts to make BASE jumping a legitimate sport (you see how they avoided the police after jumping off of a downtown building), but it’s also a love story, as he finds his future wife through the sport. I highly recommend this beautiful and exciting film that is a blast to watch. It’s a sport that I would never participate in, but I could watch this movie over and over.    My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   Sunshine Superman Website    

Indiefest: Good Kill (2014)   R   Major Thomas Egan (Ethan Hawke) used to fly fighter jets. Now he flies drones from an air-conditioned building in Las Vegas. His job is to hunt the Taliban, and he is very good at it. After fighting a war from thousands of miles away, Egan starts questioning if this war is creating more terrorists than he’s killing. The film tries to explore too many ideas, making the film feel full of stops and starts. The problem is the film never fully explores these ideas with any conviction or purpose, making it those scenes seem just another part of the film. Ethan Hawke, as the brooding pilot is at no time asked to do too much, and much like the character that he plays, it's a lackluster performance. Hawke's character rarely interacts with anyone, never giving him a chance to explore his character. The film never quite connects with its audience, failing to give anything other than a rather predictable story that can't settle on what its message is.    My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Good Kill Info

Forgotten Film: Reversal of Fortune (1990) The film is based on the true story of Sunny von Bulow (Glen Close), who was in a coma, possibly at the hand of her husband Claus (Jeremy Irons). He is put on trial and convicted. He then hires the brilliant lawyer, Alan Dershowitz (Ron Silver). The whole cast is dazzling with Jeremy Irons standing out as the creepy, egomaniac Claus. The story is fascinating, and the tension builds as you, along with Dershowitz, try to figure out what happened.  My Rating: Full Price   Reversal of Fortune Info 

Weird Credits: From the credits of Aloha: Pashto Voice Actor 

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Me and Earl and Dying Girl  (2015)  PG-13   It’s the senior year of Greg (Thomas Mann), his friend Earl (R.J. Cyler), and Rachel (Olivia Cooke). Rachel has been diagnosed with leukemia and is determined to live a normal life as possible. Any film with Connie Britton and Nick Offerman (who play Rachel’s parents) is a film I want to see.  Me and Earl and the Dying Girl Website

Until Next Time!

Furious 7

My View: Furious 7 (2015) PG-13   Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) is out for revenge, and he is targeting Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his family. It’s time to get the gang back together and take down Mr. Shaw.  I loved Fast & Furious 6 (up to that point, I wasn’t a fan of the series), mostly because writers decided to make the Furious crew superheroes who could fly from one car to another when jumping off a bridge. This film brings more of the same impossible stunts and deadly looking accidents where the crew just walks away unscathed. I liked this film, but I didn’t love it, mostly because while Furious 6 was a new take on the series, this film is just more of the same (and much longer). There is horrible dialogue, The Rock is only in the beginning and ending of the film, and some of the acting is amateurish (looking at you, UFC fighter Ronda Rousey and Iggy Azalea), but it’s still loads of fun to watch. The skyscraper scenes from Abu Dhabi are worth the price of a ticket. If you haven’t seen any of the other Fast & Furious films, you can see this one, as the plot is easy to figure out. The very last portion is a tribute to the late Paul Walker, who died in an unrelated car accident during the filming of this movie.    My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Furious 7 Website

Indiefest: Danny Collins (2015)  R   Danny Collins (Al Pacino) is an aging rock star who has been self-absorbed his whole life. After given a letter written to him by John Lennon, he decides to try to right the wrongs of his life.  This is the best performance that Al Pacino has done in the last five years. He plays a man who, instead of writing his own material, has been creating very popular songs written by teams of other writers. I loved the cast in this film with Annette Bening giving an outstanding performance as the manager of a New Jersey hotel that Danny stays at and Christopher Plummer, who steals the movie as Danny’s world-weary manager. It’s an enjoyable film with great performances that explores the price of getting famous and then staying there.   My Rating: Full Price   Danny Collins Website

Indiefest: An Honest Liar (2014)    Documentary about James “The Amazing” Randi, a world-famous magician and escape artist who has dedicated his life to exposing psychics, faith healers, and con-artists. For a man who has practiced the art of deception all his life with magic, there is one secret that he is hiding from the world. FULL DISCLOSURE: I backed this film on Kickstarter, as I have been a fan of James Randi for many years. This is a fascinating look at a very complex, smart man. His appearances (shown in this film) on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson were landmark moments in television, and this movie gives us all the background on those appearances where he exposed phony faith healers and so-called psychics. The film does take a hard look at some of the things that Randi has done, and, to his credit, he is upfront and candid about those issues.  I loved the scenes when Randi used to perform his escapes from straitjackets, usually while hanging upside down, as I had never seen that footage of his younger days. It’s an interesting film about an “Amazing” man.   My Rating: Full Price   An Honest Liar Website

Indiefest:  Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter  (2014)  Kumiko (Rinko Kikuchi) is a Japanese woman who hates her job, is criticized for being single at 29 by her mother, and has a her only friend, a rabbit.  She goes on a treasure hunt and finds an old VHS copy of the 1996 movie Fargo.  She convinces herself that the money that one of the characters buried in the snow really happened and travels to the U.S. to find the hidden money. This is a strange but interesting film that drags a few times but ultimately finds it’s footing and becomes a film worth watching. Kikuchi has the difficult task of making a character, who isn’t very appealing or likable, someone that you root for to succeed. It’s heartbreaking at times but also inspiring.   My Rating:  Full Price  Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter Website

Indiefest: The Hunting Ground (2015)  PG-13  A documentary about sexual assaults on U.S. college campuses, how universities are not taking the assaults seriously and how a group of student activists are trying to force the schools to deal with the issue.  This a scary, maddening film that makes you want to write letters and make calls to the very Universities that we trust our sons and daughters to take care of. Every year between 16 and 20 percent of college underclass students will be sexually assaulted.  The film looks at how the accuser is almost always treated worse than the accused (even though 95 percent of all sexual assaults are found true). A portion of the film looks at sexual assaults done by fraternities and by college athletes and how the colleges and universities almost always side with the frats and athletes. This is a film that every parent needs to see before they send their child off to school.    My Rating: Full Price   The Hunting Ground Website

Forgotten Film: Rolling Thunder (1977)  R   Major Charles Rane (William Devane) has just returned to Texas after spending years as a POW in Vietnam.  He is given a few gifts by his community in recognition as a war hero.  A couple of thugs break into his home, kill his wife and child and mangle his hand.  Now, Rane is out for revenge and won’t stop until the people who murdered his family are dead. This is a gritty film with a lot of violence, but at its core is an unbelievable performance by William Devane. A very young Tommy Lee Jones plays the vet who Rane enlists to attack the thugs and get his revenge.My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Rolling Thunder Info

Weird Credits: From the credits of Furious 7: On-Set Food Stylist

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)  R   Retelling of the Mad Max movie franchise with Tom Hardy in the starring role. The trailer looks so cool, and I will always go see anything that Tom Hardy makes.   Mad Max: Fury Road Website   

Until Next Time!

Hercules

My View: Hercules (2014)  PG-13  The son of Zeus, the Greek demigod Hercules (Dwayne Johnson), has completed the “Twelve Labors” and his family has been murdered.  He is asked by the King of Thrace (John Hurt) to help defeat a tyrannical warlord. This is just a fun movie to watch. It’s an imaginative retelling of the Hercules story with lots of action and plenty of "Herc" heroics. The Rock is probably the only man who can pull this off and make it believable.  He shows some of that humor he is known for, and the storyline is filled with nice twists and turns. It’s not a great film, but it’s got a great cast including John Hurt, Rufus Sewell, Ian McShane and Joseph Fiennes.  I enjoyed the 3-D effects, so if you want to spend the extra bucks, I think you will not be disappointed.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee Hercules Website 

My View: Lucy (2014)  R  Lucy (Scarlett Johansson) is working as a drug mule for the mob. A drug she was carrying inside her body leaks and, as a result, it allows her to use more of her brain’s capacity. Now, she can get the revenge she has always wanted.  This movie gets dumber as Lucy gets smarter. Lucy (Johannson) is forced to be a drug mule, and the bag containing the drug ruptures in her body. The drug allows Lucy to use more of her brain, and she gains abilities and powers as the brain-use percentage grows. The first half of this film is a fun, action filled romp with Lucy kicking some major butt, but the second half of the film becomes bogged down into some sort of homage to Stanley Kubrick’s 2001 film. A perfect example of the film’s wackiness: the scene of Lucy getting captured by a drug lord’s hoodlums are inter-cut with scenes of a cheetah hunting a gazelle. Weird! And not in a good way.  My Rating: Cable  Lucy Website

Indiefest: I Origins (2014)  R  Ian (Michael Pitt) is a doctor doing research in the lab with the help of his lab partner, Karen (Brit Marling). Ian is working on a study of the human eye and its evolution. After a brief encounter with an exotic young woman (Astrid Berges-Frisbey), he makes a stunning scientific discovery that may change the way we see science and evolution.  This isn’t a bad movie, it’s just very slow moving and the lead, Michael Pitt, doesn’t have the charisma for the role. I did like Brit Marling as Pitt’s lab assistant (she makes every film she is in better). I think some people will enjoy the film’s debate between spirituality and science, but it’s sort of a romance film and a mystery.  Ultimately, the film fails at both genres.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  I Origins Website

My View: And So it Goes (2014) PG-13  Oren (Michael Douglas) is a widower who is trying to make one more sale before he retires as one of the top are realtors, so he decides to sell his own house.  While trying to sell his house, he lives in an apartment complex he owns called, the Shangri-La. His life changes when his son (Austin Lysy), on his way to prison, drops his daughter (Sterling Jerins) in Oren’s lap. Now Oren is forced to care for his granddaughter and needs the help of his neighbor, Leah (Diane Keaton) to help.  This film tries really hard to tug at your heartstrings, but it fails mostly due to a badly written script. The biggest problem with this film is that the Michael Douglas character is truly unlikable. So why should we root for him? All I wanted to do was warn the Diane Keaton character to stay away from the mean old man. The kid, played by Sterling Jerins, has very little on-screen chemistry between either of the leads. The plot is predictable and slow moving. I wanted this film to be good, but it just sort of sits there.  My Rating: Cable  And So It Goes Website

Indiefest: Venus in Fur (2013)    Near the end of a long day of auditioning actresses for a new play, writer-director Thomas (Mathieu Amalric), is getting ready to leave his Paris theatre when a woman, Venda (Emmanuelle Seigner) comes into the theatre demanding an audition. Thomas reluctantly agrees and so starts an audition that will change each of their lives.  This intriguing film is a tour de force work of two actors who play off each other extremely well. Seigner is a knockout in the role of Venda, who is sexy and fun one moment but very scary and dominant in the next.  Amalric is almost a dead ringer for the director of the film, Roman Polanski, and does an impressive job of keeping up with Seigner. The film is constantly moving and never feels staged with a script that keeps you guessing. My Rating: Full Price  Venus in Fur Website

                                                            

Forgotten Film: Out of Sight (1998)  R  A career bank robber, Jack Foley (George Clooney), with the help of an old friend (Ving Rhames), breaks out of prison. During the escape, Foley has to kidnap a U.S. Marshall (Jennifer Lopez). After the successful escape, Foley lets the Marshall go, and now Foley, who is on his way to do one last heist, is pursued by the Marshal he kidnapped. This crime / comedy is a blast to watch. Clooney is perfect as the bank robber who charms all the ladies. This is the best work that Lopez has ever done, as she brings a great mix of sexy and determination to the role. This is one of those films you just don’t want to end.  My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again  Out of Sight Info

Weird Credits: From the credits of Lucy: Additional city artist

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Frank (2014)  R A young man joins an eccentric pop band led by a musician who wears a Paper-Mache head twenty-four hours a day. Michael Fassbender in a weird role? Sounds like something he is perfect for.  Frank Website

Until Next Time!