Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

My View:  Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom  (2018)  PG-13  When the island’s once dormant volcano starts erupting, Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) race to save the remaining dinosaurs of the isle. This film has so many problems, I don’t know where to start. Hollywood has taken a film franchise and just destroyed it. So, the movie starts with a volcano erupting on the island. So, you build a billion-dollar resort on an island that has a volcano? This stupid stuff happens throughout the film. The first Jurassic World film was fun, and I especially enjoyed Chris Pratt’s performance. Well, Pratt can’t save this one. By the way, the movie thumbs its nose at the critics and fans who made fun of Bryce Dallas Howards’ footwear (she is running from dinosaurs in heels throughout the first film) by showing us a close up of her shoes. (The second time when she gets off the plane on the island, she wearing boots.) There is a very annoying girl (Isabella Sermon) in the film who spends most of the movie screaming and thinks she can get away from a dinosaur by hiding under the covers (but still doesn’t cover her head). By the way, spoiler alert, the characters only spend the first half of the film on the island. The film feels as long as its 2 hours and 8 minutes length and has some of the worst dialogue I have ever seen in a major motion picture. There is a slightly funny scene at the end of final credits, but it’s not worth seeing, and neither is the rest of this film.    My Rating:  Cable   Jurassic World Website

Indiefest:  Hearts Beat Loud  (2018) PG-13   A father, Frank (Nick Offerman) and his daughter, Sam (Kiersey Clemons) bond over writing and performing songs before she goes off to college. I loved this film when I saw it at the 2018 Atlanta Film Festival. The chemistry between Offerman and Clemons is dazzling and makes the film work. Fans of Nick Offerman will not be disappointed as he is perfect in the role of Frank, who is trying to raise his daughter and run a struggling record store. The music is lovely and was recorded live as they were filming, making the performances breathtaking and inspiring. Clemons is a star on the rise, and her performance in this film is striking. The impressive, supporting cast includes Ted Danson as Frank’s best friend, Blythe Danner as Frank’s mother, Sasha Lane as Sam’s best friend and sounding board, and Toni Collette as a neighbor and possible love interest of Frank. Go see this movie and bring along your teen daughters because they will fall in love with this film, just as I did.   My Rating:  I Would Pay to See It Again   Hearts Beat Loud Website

In Case You Missed It (A movie just released on DVD/Blu-Ray):  The Circle  (2017)  PG-13  A young tech worker (Emma Watson) gets a job at a dominant internet company and quickly makes her mark in the business.  She learns that her company is involved with getting and keeping information on everyone, information that could be used to hurt her friends, family and even threaten the future of humanity. The Circle is a dull film that never creates the tension that it needs to make us care about what happens to Mae. Emma Watson plays a character who shows some smarts on how quickly she picks up her job but is so gullible that it becomes laughable.  Then we are supposed to believe that she can pull off what happens at the end of the film. Tom Hanks basically plays Steve Jobs but is, at least on appearances, nicer. Karen Gillan is wasted as Mae’s best friend who gets her the job, as she almost sleepwalks through her role. This is a film where main characters just disappear for stretches, which makes it seem that one or two more rewrites were needed. Co-writer/director James Ponsoldt is one of my favorite directors out there (my love of his The Spectacular Now is well-known), but he really misses the mark in this movie.  My Rating: Cable    The Circle Website

Forgotten Film: The Theory of Everything (2014) PG-13  Since Stephen Hawking died this year, I thought it would be a good idea to revisit this film. The love story between the famous physicist Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) and his wife, Jane (Felicity Jones). Redmayne and Jones are extraordinary in this film about the love between two people who decide to live every day like it could be their last. They give unbelievable performances and have incredible chemistry on screen. It's a beautiful story and has a lot of up and downs, as two people team up to achieve remarkable things, not only in their professional lives but also in their personal lives. If you are a fan of romantic films, this one is for you.  My Rating: Full Price   The Theory of Everything Website    

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom:  Stunt Scaffolder

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: The Catcher Was a Spy  (2018) R  A major league baseball player in the 30s and 40s, Moe Berg (Paul Rudd), lives a double life as a spy. I read the book that this film is based on, and he led a fascinating and sometimes dangerous life. Moe Berg toured Japan as part of a baseball goodwill tour and was able to give the American government information about Japan’s ramping up for war.    The Catcher Was A Spy Info

Until Next Time!

Dumb and Dumber To

My View: Dumb and Dumber To (2014) PG-13   It’s been 20 years since their last adventure, so the boys (Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels) are ready for a new road trip. This time Lloyd and Harry try to find Harry’s daughter. If you are a fan of the first film, then stay away from this one. This film isn't funny (I saw the film with a screening full of fans of the first film, and not much laughter occurred.).  This film is mean-spirited and badly written, and, too often goes for the easy, predictable joke. The first film has a sweetness to it, a film about really stupid but loveable guys. This film is full of fart jokes, harmful practical stunts and a plot that takes way too much time to get going. Apparently, you can get too dumb with your material. There is a very short bonus scene at the end of the credits but it's not worth staying to see it.  My Rating: You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again  Dumb and Dumber To Website

My View: Beyond the Lights (2014)  PG-13  A young musician (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) has been trained her whole life by her manager / mother (Minnie Driver) to become a pop star at any price. It all becomes too much until the striving star encounters a knight in shining armor - a police officer named, Kaz (Nate Parker). This is a good film made better by the amazing performance of Gugu Mbatha-Raw as the talented pop star who is trying to find her place and get out from under her dominating mother. Mbatha-Raw just radiates on the screen, as your eyes just constantly follow her. The film has a great supporting cast including Minnie Driver as the mother and Danny Glover as Nate's father. The film moves at a nice pace and will remind you of the old Whitney Houston / Kevin Costner film, The Bodyguard (1992). It's a feel-good romantic movie that hits all the marks.  My Rating: Full Price  Beyond the Lights Facebook page

Indiefest: Rosewater (2014)  R   Journalist Maziar Bahari (Gael Garcia Bernal) was back in his home country of Iran to cover the national elections for the BBC. After reporting on protests going on in the country, he was arrested and held for more than 100 days in solitary confinement, enduring both mental and physical torture. This is a good, first effort from director / writer Jon Stewart. Bahari, played by the talented Garcia Bernal, uses humor as one of his coping mechanisms, so this film isn't all torture and despair. There are some moving scenes in the film, and Gael Garcia Bernal gives it his all. While it is a film about the power of journalism, at its core, it's really a film about the importance of family and love.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Rosewater Facebook page

Indiefest: The Theory of Everything (2014) PG-13  The love story between the famous physicist Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) and his wife, Jane (Felicity Jones). Redmayne and Jones are extraordinary in this film about the love between two people who decide to live every day like it could be their last. They give unbelievable performances and have an incredible chemistry on screen. It's a beautiful story and has a lot of up and downs, as two people team up to achieve remarkable things, not only in their professional lives but also in their personal lives. If you are a fan of romantic films, then this one is for you.  My Rating: Full Price  The Theory of Everything Website

Indiefest: The Way He Looks (2014) PG-13  Leonardo (Ghilherme Lobo) is a blind teenager who is searching for his place in the world. His world changes when Gabriel (Fabio Audi) enters his life. This is a great coming-of-age film that is a sweet, touching look at first love. Lobo is perfect in the role of Leonardo, a boy who is a little shy but is determined to live life on his own terms. This Brazilian film has won awards at a number of film festivals, and it doesn't disappoint, hitting it out of the park. This is a film that will move you and make you root for the underdog.  My Rating: Full Price  The Way He Looks Website

Forgotten Film: A Simple Plan (1998) R  Hank (Bill Paxton), Jacob (Billy Bob Thornton) and Lou (Brent Briscoe) find a deserted plane out in the woods filled with millions of dollars. They figure out a plan to claim the money, and then everything goes wrong. This is a combo of a rather dark comedy, mixed in with a bit of a mystery/thriller vibe. Paxton and Thornton give some of their best performances in this film that explores what happens when ordinary men are overwhelmed by greed.  My Rating: Full Price  A Simple Plan Info

Weird Credits: From the credits of Rosewater: Audience Engagement Strategist

Coming to a Theatre Near You: Into the Woods (2014) PG  A witch (Meryl Streep) sets out to teach important lessons to various characters of popular children's stories. The film has an outstanding cast, including Anna Kendrick, Streep, Chris Pine and Emily Blunt. The trailer for this film makes you want to buy your tickets now! Into the Woods Website

Until Next Time!