Deadpool 2

My View:  Deadpool 2 (2018)  R  Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) is back, and this time he has assembled a team to take on a mercenary from the future named, Cable (Josh Brolin), who is out to kill a young boy (Julian Dennison).  I thought the first film was one of the best movies of 2016, and, while not quite as inventive as the first, Deadpool 2 offers a fun ride with plenty of surprises. This film, like the first, never takes itself too seriously, even when there is a sad moment. Deadpool 2 has thrilling fight sequences and, along the way, introduces a bunch of new and exciting characters. Make sure to stay through the first section of end credits because they contain some of the best post-credit sequences I have ever seen. Just remember, this film is raunchy and isn’t meant for young children. I had a blast watching Deadpool2, continually laughing throughout and you will too.   My Rating: I Would Pay to See It Again    Deadpool 2 Website

My View: Book Club  (2018)  PG-13  Four lifelong friends (Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Mary Steenburgen) get together once a month to drink wine and discuss their lives. A certain trashy romantic book is about to change them.  I liked this film, mostly due to the performances of the four leading ladies. The storyline is a little weak, but the film treats the four women with dignity and humor. Don Johnson, who plays an old flame of Fonda’s character, has the best storyline of the secondary characters, and he is perfect for the role. Book Club is an enjoyable comedy that shows that life after sixty can be fun, adventurous and it is possible to find love again. So, grab a glass of wine and watch four amazing actresses work their magic.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee    Book Club Website

Family Faire:  Show Dogs  (2018)  PG  Max (voiced by Ludacris), a police dog used to being on his own, is partnered with an FBI agent (Will Arnett) to go undercover and track down an animal smuggler at a prestigious dog show. One of the dogs in this film says, “They don’t make films about talking dogs anymore, and there is a reason.  Talking dog movies are horrible.” I think the only time I laughed was when Will Arnett made a joke about the Lego Batman movie. The plot makes no sense, is highly predictable and feels much longer than its ninety-two minutes.  Only very young children will enjoy this film, and adults will probably take a nap.  My Rating: You Would Have to Pay Me to See It Again    Show Dogs Website

Forgotten Film:  Across the Universe (2007)  PG-13  A love story told in song between an upper-class American girl (Evan Rachel Wood) and a poor British artist. The film is set in the 1960’s and uses more than thirty Beatle songs to tell the story of the two lovers. Across the Universe is a very unusual, intriguing film that uses even animation to move the story along. What I love about this movie is that it doesn’t always play the Beatles songs the way that they did. Slow songs are performed quickly, and happy songs are used to express sorrow. If you are a Beatle fan or a fan of musicals, you will enjoy this film.  My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   Across the Universe Info

Weird Credits:   From the credits of Deadpool 2: Chinook Helicopter Tech Advisor

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Hearts Beat Loud  (2018)  A father (Nick Offerman) and his daughter (Kiersey Clemons) bond over writing and performing songs before she goes off to college.  This film was one of the movies that wowed audiences at the Atlanta Film Festival.   Hearts Beat Loud Info

Until Next Time!

The Lego Batman Movie

My View:  The Lego Batman Movie  (2017)  PG  Batman (Will Arnett) is used to handling The Joker (Zach Galifianakis) on his own, but now he realizes that he just might need some help.  If you just want to have fun at a movie, then this film is for you.  I love The Lego Movie (2014), and while I didn’t quite have as good a time as with that film, I still enjoyed this ride.  Will Arnett is hilarious as Batman, a man who thinks he can do everything by himself. The film makes fun of some of the old Batman movies and also the fact that there is a seemingly endless supply of villains in the DC world. There are so many bad guys in this film; you will have to see it twice to catch them all. A few things in the movie don’t work, but there is so much going on throughout the film, you can just let them go by. I wouldn’t be surprised that, after you see this movie, you go out and buy some Legos to play Batman yourself.   My Rating: Full Price   The Lego Batman Movie Website

My View:  John Wick: Chapter Two  (2017)  R  John Wick’s (Keanu Reeves) retirement didn’t last long as he now has to travel to Rome to take on a squad of assassins to defend a former associate who has seized control of the assassins’ guild. The first John Wick film was one of the biggest surprises of 2014, as it was a highly enjoyable full-out action-fest.  I enjoyed this film as much as the first and love that it tries to outdo the first film on ways to kill the bad guys. The action sequences are fast, well done and, unlike some recent films, don’t rely on the use of “shakycam” to cover up the lack of real action. If you like action films and especially up close hand-to-hand fighting, then this is the movie for you. And, by the way, a third film is in the works.   My Rating:  Full Price   John Wick: Chapter 2 Website

Indiefest:  The Salesman  (2017)  PG-13  A young couple Emad (Shahab Hosseini) and Rana (Taraneh Alidoosti) are appearing in a play together and have moved into a new apartment. One fateful decision changes their life together forever. This is a moving and forceful film on how one event can destroy a relationship and happiness. Alidoosti is stunning in her portrayal of a woman whose life has been shattered, and she doesn’t know how to pick up the pieces. This is a psychological drama that slowly builds up the tension until it explodes near the end. The film is a masterful job of storytelling and is well worth the watch.   My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   The Salesman Website

Forgotten Film:  Stir of Echoes  (1999)  R  After being hypnotized by his sister (Illeana Douglas) at a party, Tom (Kevin Bacon) begins seeing visions of a girl’s ghost (Jennifer Morison).  The visions become more frequent, and it is very evident that the ghost wants one thing from Tom, for him to find out how she died. This is a thriller that delivers on all fronts. Bacon gives a sensational performance of a man who is slowly slipping into madness.  The plot has a few twists and turns, and the supernatural aspect of the film is used to its full advantage.   My Rating: Full Price   Stir of Echoes Info

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD / Blu-ray):   Loving  (2016)  PG-13  Richard (Joel Edgerton) and Mildred (Ruth Negga) get married in 1958. They are sentenced to prison in Virginia because they are an interracial couple.  This is a story of courage, and we suffer at every indignity the Loving’s suffer in this film. Being told that your love is illegal and you must leave your home and family if you want to stay together is heartbreaking which forces the Loving’s to make tough choices.  Ruth Negga gives a performance of a lifetime, and this is a film that will stay with you for a long time.   My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again   Loving Facebook Page

Weird Credits:  From the credits of The Lego Batman Movie:  Lead Lighter

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  T2 Trainspotting  (2017)  R  A continuation of the Trainspotting saga which includes the cast from the first film.  It’s hard to capture lightning in a bottle twice, but if anyone can do it, director Danny Boyle can.   T2 Trainspotting Info

Until Next Time!

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

My View:  Jack Ryan:  Shadow Recruit  (2014) PG-13  Jack Ryan (Chris Pine) is a junior analyst for the CIA. When he uncovers evidence of an imminent terrorist attack, he is sent to Moscow to continue his investigation. He encounters Viktor Cherevin (Kenneth Branagh) who is intent on taking down the world’s economy. Can Jack stop Cherevin’s plan?  This is an enjoyable spy caper with Pine playing the new recruit trying to save the world from economic disaster and terrorists at the same time.  I like the interplay between Pine and Kevin Costner (who plays the man that recruits Ryan into the CIA).  Keira Knightley is cute as Ryan’s girlfriend who gets caught up in the action, but she isn’t asked to do much in the film.  I felt that Branagh made a rather poor villain, as he played the part too low key.  While not a great film, it is an enjoyable ride and makes a nice diversion from all the Oscar heavyweights in the theatres right now.  The film is being shown in IMAX, but unlike the last Mission Impossible film, this one isn't worth seeing in that format.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

Family Faire:  The Nut Job (2014) PG  Surly (Will Arnett) is a squirrel with a hankering for nuts. After burning down the tree where all the animals were storing their nuts for winter, he is banished from the park. In town, Surly discovers a Nut store and with his friend, a rat, he plans the heist that could keep him in nuts for the rest of his life. What could go wrong?  This isn’t a bad film, but it can best be described as bland.  I didn’t like Will Arnett as the lead squirrel as I think he really brought nothing to the role.  I did enjoy Maya Rudolph, who voices the Pug Precious, as she steals the movie playing the loveable dog.  The animation was clean and crisp, but the storyline was just dull and lifeless.  I kind of wish the film had been about Precious and not Surly.  The film is not worth seeing in 3-D and parents be warned, there are a number of fart jokes. My Rating: Cable  The Nut Job Facebook Page

Forgotten Film:  Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2003) R  Harry (Robert Downey Jr) is a bumbling thief.  Evading the police after a botched robbery, Harry stumbles into an acting audition and impresses the producers of a movie.  At a Hollywood party, Harry meets a Private Investigator, Perry (Val Kilmer) who is going to train Harry for his role in the film.  An unusual friendship is started and soon the pair are caught up in a murder investigation.  This is a very funny comedy that plays on stereotypical detective films of the 40’s and 50’s.  Downey and Kilmer are hilarious, and the dialogue is sharp and fast.  My Rating:  Full Price  Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Info

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I’ve Only Seen in Trailers But Just Looks Like a Bad Idea):  Blended (2014)  This romantic comedy  stars Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore who, after a blind date that goes bad, find themselves and their families on the same vacation.  I think Sandler just makes movies now so that he can travel, this time to Africa.  Blended Website

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD/Blu-ray):  Carrie  (2013) R  I didn’t like this film, mostly because it didn’t bring anything new to the plot.  I felt that Chloe Moretz was badly cast as Carrie, and the film didn’t have any spark to it.  My Rating:  Bargain Matinee  Carrie Website

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit:  Russian arm operator

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  The Railway Man  (2013)  Based on a true story about a British officer who was forced to help the Japanese build a railway during World War II. Now, years later, he finds out that the Japanese officer who tortured him is still alive.  Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth star in the film.  The Railway Man Facebook Page

Until Next Time!