Barbershop: The Next Cut / Elvis & Nixon / Everybody Wants Some / Hunstman: Winter's War

Barbershop: The Next Cut:

Full of big belly laughs and a plot with heart, this was another cute one from the Barbershop franchise. Most of the original cast is back and up to their old tricks.

Yes, at times it got a little corny but the entire film had a feel-good vibe you can't help but appreciate.

Elvis & Nixon:

I went in not sure what to expect. Apparently the well known picture of Elvis & Nixon is the most requested photo from the National Archives so the writers decided to create a screenplay based on that meeting.

I don't know how accurate the dialog is but the story of how it all came about is pretty strange. A good strange, but strange nonetheless.

I can't say Michael Shannon's Elvis was believable in the slightest but Kevin Spacey's Nixon was pretty darn good.

It's a fun way to spend a few hours. You'll be amazed at how outrageous both of these famous figures really were and you'll leave smiling.

Check it out.

Everybody Wants Some:

Written by the same guy that gave us Dazed and Confused; this film is suppose to be along those same lines only set in the 80s. It's a nice feel-good summertime flick.

There's no real content of any kind and you watch wondering what the point of the thing is but it's still enjoyable. Not laugh out loud funny, but enjoyable.

The Huntsman: Winter's War:

This was pretty good! I'd like to tell you the fact that Kristen Stewart wasn't in it had nothing to do with it being better then the first.....but I can't. If you read my review on that one, you'll understand where I'm coming from here.

This one was by far superior to its predecessor and the cast (or lack there of) had a lot to do with that. Also, audiences will be happy to know that this one was far more action packed and a lot less hokey then the first. I couldn't stand the scenes with the dwarves in the first film and even though they're back in this one, the characters don't seem as lame.

It's darker then the first and I think that helps it as well. It's a film you can take seriously (as serious as you can get with a fairy tale that is); with an interesting plot, good back story, action, romance, revenge, thirst for power-all of it-it's all there.

I know most of you probably saw the first and heard about this film and thought "Yeah, pass." but I can honestly assure you that the sequel is far superior in every way. Really, go see it.

Eye in the Sky / Midnight Special / Demolition

Eye in the Sky:

One of Alan Rickman's last films and boy is it a doozey!

Not an action-packed war movie like we're used to, but a drama that will leave you on the edge of your seat nonetheless!

This flick is all about the choices we make at war time and their consequences. It's a very realistic look at the conversations and debates behind every decision our soldiers and soldiers from other countries are forced to make when thinking about the greater good.

As a member of the audience, you'll find yourself struggling with what to do as well. What kinds of calls would you make if you were in their shoes? It's chilling and all the more disturbing when you realize this is based on real life situations, situations that are happening all the time that we never hear or think about.

If you have the time, give this one a watch.

Midnight Special:

I wasn't sure what I'd see when sitting down to watch this one. The trailer keeps you guessing and the majority of the film does too.

I kind of like that about it.

You're sitting there the entire time wondering just what exactly is going on? Is this kid an alien? A mutant? Is he dangerous? Where are they going? Will they reach their destination in time?

It's a thriller that doesn't leave you feeling scared or unsettled, but you want to know more.

Some fans believe there will be a sequel based on the ending. I didn't feel that way initially when I left the theater but I can see where they're coming from. But that leaves me with even more questions! If there is a sequel, what will it be about? Will it answer some of the questions you have throughout this film or will it leave you with more?

Give this one a watch too, it's out there, but in a good way.

Demolition:

Jake Gyllenhal can do no wrong!

This was a great drama about a man trying to figure out who he is and where he's going in life. He loses all direction and questions the decisions he's made in the past. He went through life, complacent and after he loses his wife he begins to drift, to explore, only without empathy, without any feelings at all really. He alienates everyone around him until they no longer want anything to do with him.

His character makes an unlikely friend and works to understand why he's struggling to feel anything after this tremendous loss.

The acting is superb all around. You feel for Jake's character but you also connect with the rest of the cast and feel for what they're going through too. It's full of heart and the movie ends on a good note. I'd like to think that Jake will be nominated for this role but due to how early it came out in the year and the fact that there are going to be so many big films between now and then, I can't help but think this performance will be passed by and that's a real shame.

Hardcore Henry / The Boss

Hardcore Henry:


The entire film is shot from the main character's perspective so, as a member of the audience, you're suppose to feel like you are actually in the film. Which is genius, never been done before, groundbreaking, awesome. Unless you're someone like me who has crazy motion sickness and has to close their eyes for movies like Cloverfield and Earth to Echo.


I knew the moment I saw the trailer for this that I wouldn't be able to sit through it completely. But dammit I had to try! Sadly, I failed, horribly.


I watched the first 30 minutes and then I have to leave the theater completely and regroup. I came back for the last 30 minutes so I was at least able to catch the premise of the film and the ending.


It really was amazing and the way it was complied and edited is something to be admired for sure. The film was intense from start to finish and you're left feeling like you ran a damned marathon.


The story itself was pretty smart too. Guy wakes up with no memory and missing a few limbs. He's told by the nurse, who reveals she's his wife, that he was in an accident but that doctors were able to give him artificial intelligence and bionic limbs but that the danger that brought him there in the first place is far from over. They're about to give him the ability to speak but the lab gets attacked by this bad guy with crazy super powers and Henry manages to grab his missus and escape.


For the next hour Henry is running through the city trying to reach the guy with the super powers and along the way gets help from a friend he can't remember. His wife got kidnapped too so he's motivated by his concern for her safety and will stop at nothing to reach the enemy.


I'm telling you, if you like action films and can watch a film like this without puking on your friends, give this one a look. It's very graphic but the filming style is one of a kind.


I only had one issue and my friends left feeling the same way........ the bad guy's super powers are NEVER explained! You don't know why he can do what he does or why no one else shares his abilities. This film was completely funded by fans after a 10 minute YouTube video shot in this style was released but even that "origin" flick doesn't explain it! That's the only real beef I've got-I need to know more about the bad guy! Are there more like him? Were his abilities given to him in a lab too? Is he a mutant? I need to know!


But see it for yourself, and bring some Dramamine.

The Boss:

I was kind of disappointed by this one. Classic case where all of the funny bits were shown in the trailer. Kind of a bummer.

It was cute, but I was expecting bigger laughs and less cheese. Melissa's character was obnoxious, yes but at times, a little too ridiculous. Her nemesis throughout the film, played by Peter Dinklage was really odd too. It was as if Adam Sandler and Judd Apatow collaborated on a film. Some parts were sweet and fun and other parts were really exaggerated and stupid. You'll laugh, but you won't laugh as much as you thought you would after seeing the trailer.



The Brothers Grimsby / The Young Messiah / 10 Cloverfield Lane / The Perfect Match

The Brothers Grimsby:

Another typical Sacha Baron Cohen film.

Super immature and at times gross. Funny in spots but all around completely sophomoric. I like the guy but I cannot understand for the life of me, how he gets these big actors in these ridiculous films.

The Young Messiah:

I'm really liking these films. Regardless of your personal beliefs, these movies are pretty entertaining.

Sean Bean can't seem to find a role in which his character isn't going through some sort of personal conflict. Give the man a break!

Although this is a well known story throughout the world, the writer's have given us a snapshot into a time period not often discussed in Jesus' life. He and his family are essentially running for their lives but this film, at it's core, is full of heart. I can't say the writing was spectacular and the delivery of some lines were a little over the top but all in all, you won't hate it.

10 Cloverfield Lane:

I'm still having a tough time with this one. It was really bizarre.

You spend the entire film wondering if there's really a threat to the characters' lives and finally when the truth is revealed, shit gets cray.

I've never seen John Goodman in such an insane role! Yes, he's played a bad guy before and we all know he got nuts in The Big Lebowski, but this role was definitely some next level shit. He had you worried for the wellbeing of the other characters the entire film.

By the end of the film, you're left wondering if there is going to be a sequel and if so, what JJ and his team could possibly have in store for us. And, spoiler alert, you're going to leave still not knowing whether or not this has anything to do with Cloverfield so if there is a sequel, I hope that gets explained at the very least.

JJ sure does love his aliens....

The Perfect Match:

Pretty lame. The acting was nothing to write home about and the plot itself was super weak.

It featured a number of big-ish stars but sadly, even they couldn't deliver anything good with the lines they were given. Such cheese. Such forced drama. It is simply forgettable.

Allegiant / My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 / Hi, My Name is Doris

Divergent Series: Allegiant (Part 1)

Sadly this one wasn't nearly as stimulating as the first two in the series but it's my understanding that the writer's did the typical "Hollywood thing" and broke up the last book in the trilogy into two films so hopefully the action will pick back up in the last installment.

 

I will say, as a fan who hasn't read the books, I'm looking forward to seeing how this thing ends. Trice is my girl!

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2:

Even funnier then the first film! I was rolling, I was crying, it was a blast!

All of the original cast are back and the story is just as silly and insane as the first!

It's a shame the TV show didn't pan out but these movies continue to be a hit!

Check it out, you'll thank me later!

Hello My Name is Doris:

I went into this film not knowing what to expect. I saw the trailer one time and promptly forgot about it.

Sally Field is amazing! This is a role you've never seen her in before and her performance is so sweet and endearing, you really must check it out!

It's definitely an out-there story about an unusual friendship but it gets deep. The characters are so much more complex then you're first given to believe and you'll watch the film just hoping for the best outcome for everyone.

Please check it out if you can, this is definitely the surprise film of 2016!

The Jungle Book

I can't say enough wonderful things about this film! Everyone really must see it! Jon Favreau knocked it out of the park!


Everything was exceptional-the graphics were on point and the special effects were unbelievable!
I was concerned that the casting director did the typical "Hollywood thing" and hired a Caucasian kid for the role of Mowgli and just covered the poor boy in spray tan, but they didn't! They cast an Indian actor to play the role of an Indian character! I mean, they got literally everything right!


Growing up I wasn't really a fan of the cartoon version we all know. It just didn't provide the feels for me like Bambi or Dumbo. But this film was different. I was crying, I was laughing, I was on the edge of my seat-and I already knew the story!


The actors chosen for each role were pure perfection. I've never been turned on by a tiger before but Idris Elba has that delicious British baritone that seeps into your bones and even though he's a bad guy, you can't help but get caught up in his character.


Jon made some really smart decisions that kept all of the classic elements of the original story while still providing unique twists which enabled it to stand alone. The songs we grew up with were present in this version but we didn't get the full length musical like the original which I'm sure parents appreciated.


The writer's even made a point of adding some side characters who were animals on the endangered species list and the internet was all kinds of pleased because it brought attention to the need for conservation to a huge audience. The film has been in theaters now for two weeks and there's still lines at the box office to see it! This might very well be my favorite movie of 2016!

Go see it!

Bathman vs. Superman

This is so hard for me to write about. I wanted to like this. I started off skeptical like everyone else and then as more trailers were released and more interviews were done with the cast and more fan theories went viral, I was all in. I even started out hating the idea of Ben Affleck playing Batman and all of that stuff turned me around. I was really looking forward to this. I thought, finally, finally DC got it right!

Oh how wrong I was! How foolish I had been to let all of that stuff sway me from my gut instincts!

They just tried too hard! They gave us too much! The film was 2 1/2 hours long and that time could have been better spent. The structure was off, the characters story lines were almost too developed in ways that left non-comic book readers scratching their heads and then they used story lines that were old and "so last year" that audiences sat there and thought, really? We're still going over this shit? I know it was suppose to take up right where the last Superman took off but after the first 10 minutes that was completely lost on the audience and it felt like a totally separate timeline and story.

The characters/actors had no chemistry. I hate to compare this to any of the Marvel films but when you watch those movies, the characters relationships are completely believable. If they hate each other-they really hate each other. If they're friends, you wish you were part of the squad. If they love each other, you were devastated if anything tore them apart.

In this film? I could give two shits about any of that. Personally, I hate this Lois Lane. I'm sick of her involvement and I want Superman to move on. Batman and Wonder Woman were written as if they're suppose to have some kind of sexual tension but they had as much chemistry on screen as Ben and Jen did in Gigli and they were actually together!

A lot of fans really dug Affleck's Batman and I have to give it up to him, he did the best he could with what he was given. Everyone for the most part really enjoyed Jeremy Irons' Alfred too. I wasn't as much of a fan of Alfred in this universe as he was written as a cynical grandpa, tired of his kids' shit and waiting for him to "grow the fuck up already". I much preferred the sweet, model-train-building grandpa-type Alfred we've become accustomed to in the past. Again, I know we're going for something much different here, but that's just what I would've liked.

This was suppose to be more film noir than the campy Batman/Superman films of yesteryear but Jesus, this was so dark! To compensate for this, the writers thought making Lex Luther a combination of the Joker, the Riddler and Scarecrow would be a good idea. Let's talk about Jesse Eisenberg for a moment, shall we? What the shit?? His Lex Luther was positively God-awful and I still can't figure out if he was written and directed that way on purpose or if that character was of his own design and they just went with it because they were too focused on fucking up every other aspect of this thing. Either way, train wreck. I know he'll be a returning character but I really hope they have him shift directions in his delivery because I found myself begging someone to punch him every time he was on screen and that's not a compliment of his performance. Lex Luther isn't some babbling shut-in with ADHD, he's Donald Trump with an education. Why can't DC get any of this right??

And visually?! Can I just take a minute to talk about how much Zack Snyder's directing annoys me? Why does everything look like it's been shot inside a black hole? Even when things exploded, I could only make out the fire-I had no idea what just exploded or why I should care. That's how dark this fucker was. I was sitting in an IMAX theater and squinting because I genuinely could not figure out what the fuck was happening on the mammoth screen before me. That's some sad ass shit right there. As a patron, that's not okay, I paid to actually see something Zack....

I shouldn't be too surprised, all of his films are this way. The only time it worked was when he was filming 300 in black and white (more sepia tones really but let's not dwell on the specifics).

See it though, if you're a fan of the comics, see it. They tried, well, at least, most of them tried. And they do give us a taste of the movies yet to come in the franchise so that's pretty neat. Aquaman looks good but we've been fooled before and Zack is directing that one as well so enjoy squinting for two hours. Zack, we know it's dark in the bowels of the sea but come on dude, you could make out everything in the Abyss and that shit is hella old now. Get it together....

The Bronze

This was one of the most odd-ball comedies I've seen in quite awhile. It made me laugh, yes, but more often then not I was shaking my head at the characters lines and situations.

Melissa Rauch definitely took on a whole new persona. Her character was foul mouthed and self centered and on all accounts, trashy as hell. I left feeling like she purposely chose this role, not because she was in love with the character, but as a career move, in the hopes that people won't try and type-cast her as the sweet innocent nerdy gal she plays in Big Bang Theory. Then you find out she wrote the thing and you're like, wait...what??

Sebastian Stan was in it which was lovely but he played a real jerk-off too. The only likable character in the film was played by Thomas Middleditch but his role wasn't much of a stretch when you see that he plays the same, socially awkward, shy guy in Silicone Valley. I don't know, this was like Napoleon Dynamite, ridiculous and uncomfortable but sadly, not as funny, at least for me.  

Miracles from Heaven

I love movies like this. I completely believe these stories are true and that these experiences really did happen to these folks in real life.

I love how full of heart they are and how they always leave you feeling good and happy for the family and their future together. You connect with them as if they were your neighbors.

Yes, the writing is a little cheesy but if you know anything about films like this, you'd expect nothing less.

I don't want to say anything negative but I must bring up the fact that Jennifer Garner's performance was really frustrating for me. These folks live in Texas and dad has a thick southern accent. Jennifer's character is suppose to have one in real life as well? I formed that as a question because she didn't seem to know either. You don't even need to see the movie to understand what I'm talking about, just watch the trailer. Sometimes she's got a southern drawl, other times she sounds like she lives in Connecticut. I spent the entire length of the film willing her to just pick one and stick with it, I genuinely didn't care, I was just tired of rolling my eyes.

Good family flick though. Nice story, sweet ending, bring the kids.

London Has Fallen

I certainly liked this movie better than the first but I don't know if that's saying too much. The acting was still forced in spots and I think the writing was just a little too over the top. There's patriotic, and then there's ridiculous.

The action was good, a lot of stuff going on almost all the time. Everything boiled down to the writing and execution of, at times, silly lines by the actors.

The President gets taken by the bad guys and is being beaten up on camera and recites the oath of office. It reminded me of the first film when one of the aides to the President was taken for questioning by the bad guys and she started screaming the Pledge of Allegiance as she's being dragged across the floor. I mean, that's some gag-worthy cheese right there.

What killed me, was that they brought that same annoying character back (with a terrible hair style) and once the bad guy reveals himself, she leans over to someone in the Situation Room and explains who he is (you'll see this in the preview). Now, I understand this might be somewhat necessary for the audience but I can't help but feel that if you're a dude with a high enough security clearance to find himself sitting among the President's Chiefs of Staff in the Situation Room, you're going to know who the hell is on the US list of wanted assholes. Just sayin'.  

While a lot of films impart just a touch of humor to keep the audience entertained and maybe even motivated to give a crap about the characters, the corn-ball one liners and "dad jokes" throughout this film are really annoying and distracting, at least from me, from the overall feel of the film. That's a bummer because they'll no doubt continue to make them (at least another one for a trilogy) and it would be nice if I could actually look forward to seeing it.

Risen / Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Risen:

I'm not a huge fan of these kinds of movies but I know the story and this seemed like an interesting take on a well known tale. Joseph Fiennes seems to be blowing up these days so I was interested in seeing his performance as well.

I have to say, this was probably one of the nicest looking films of this kind and the acting was decent as well. The costumes, make up and hair looked right and realistic and there really wasn't any special effects, no flash and bang to try and sell the story which I appreciated. The trailer doesn't give any hint to how it may end, but I think it's important to mention (spoiler alert, though you know the story) that they did cast an actor who looked more the part of Jesus then anyone I've ever seen in a major motion picture before. Cliff Curtis, who is of Maori decent played the Messiah and while he wasn't in the film for long, I was thankful they didn't cast another long-haired white guy who looked like he lived in Malibu rather then the desert.

They only part that was a little frustrating for me was the writing. In scenes that held a decent amount of dialog, it seemed as though the actors were in a rush to get their lines out and at times it made it difficult to follow or even understand what they were saying. Some even seemed to mumble and when you combine that with Hebrew words not very well-known today, you were left wondering what was just said. But again, the fact that the plot is so well known helped and kept audiences from losing any part of the story. I also cringed when Joseph's character finally spoke with the Messiah's disciples. I know they were all enamored with him and followed his teachings and spread his message throughout the lands; but I feel like the actors were really playing up their adoration to the point where they appeared drugged, almost goofy, when speaking about and interacting with the Chosen One. It was annoying to watch really. They appeared more like brainwashed cult followers then the wise and submissive disciples we've been taught about.

I appreciated the way the writers made a point of using the characters original Hebrew names. Jesus was Yeshua, God was Yahweh, Peter was Simon, etc. It made it more historically accurate for me and I think it also did some good in educating folks of the faith who only know they story from one perspective.

I'm not going to discuss whether I believe the tale to be based on fact or fiction but again, as far as the film was concerned, I think they made smart decisions on how to tell the story and make it as realistically plausible as possible.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (WTF):

Despite the mediocre reviews and disappointing turn out at the box office, I was really looking forward to seeing this film, regarded as Tina Fey's best work to date.

Based on true events, WTF was hilarious and dangerous and full of heart with a ton of girl power thrown into the mix. The fact that I saw it on International Women's Day only made it better for me.

Tina did a great job as did the entire cast. The story comes from experiences reporter Kim Barker had had during her five year assignment in Kabul during a time of civil and international unrest. Though it doesn't really get political, it does highlight the issues surrounding the never ending war and the kind of life that the locals, military forces and media personnel try to lead while being forced to live and work around one another.

Every happy scene was paired with one of tension and potential danger. You were almost afraid to allow the film to put you in a good mood because you knew something bad was probably going to happen to a character you liked just minutes after and more often then not, that's exactly what occurred.

Without any spoilers, I will mention that this film does have a happy ending so fear not, you will leave with a smile on your face and a desire to see it again. Check it out, I think you'll be glad you did. And I have to agree, this really is the best role Tina has ever had.

Zootopia

Ever since I saw the first trailer for this film, I was hooked. I could not wait to see it and when it finally came out, all of my friends gave it rave reviews on social media. Needless to say, I was pumped to see it and thankfully it did not disappoint!


This movie is fun and lighthearted but also has a seriously deep message about bullying and never giving up on your dreams or your fellow man. I know what you're thinking, "That seems like a whole lot for a kids movie...." and I guess by today's standards you'd be correct. But believe me when I tell you, it all works! It's really fantastic and I hope you see it and take every friend and family member you can with you, it's one everyone will love!


It's a decent way to educate kids about animals and maybe even help motivate them to leave the house and learn something about the creatures we share our planet with too. I can't help but hope that this film, like Madagascar had, will generate more interest in local and national zoos.


If you haven't seen the trailer yet, check it out. I know you'll be just as interested to see the film as I was. It's a real treat. I can't wait to see it again!

Gods of Egypt

Gods of Egypt:

I'm going to be perfectly honest here you guys, I saw these trailers over and over again and kept thinking, "Wow, this looks like a complete piece of shit."

Don't get me wrong, it's not good. But thankfully it's got enough going on throughout the 2 hour love letter to King Midas that it's bearable.

Again, as with all Hollywood films about Egyptian legend, we're given an all white cast with a range of European accents they weren't even attempting to cover up. Okay, there was one African American actor and his character came across as a stereotypical homosexual by Hollywood's standards. It was kind of distracting actually. Whether he was going for that delivery on purpose, I do not know. I really don't understand how they get these actors to sign on for this stuff, I truly don't. The writing was pretty shit and as you can see from the trailer below, the special effects leave much to be desired.

But in the end, this actually reminded me a lot of the original Clash of the Titans from the 80s which will always hold a special place in my heart. It's equally as terrible and the effects are far worse given the technology of the time; yet for some reason I still enjoy watching it.

I would actually watch this one again if there was nothing else on TV or if my best friend found it on one of the movie channels and wanted to give it a shot. I can't say the same for Exodus: Gods & Kings. Two hours of that garbage was enough for the rest of my life thank you very much.

and for s&g's, here's the trailer for CoT:

Triple 9/ Race/ Eddie the Eagle

Triple 9:

A gritty drama full of suspense and a decent bit of action smattered throughout. Triple 9 is about crooked cops working with a group of thieves who are hired to do bank jobs for the Russian mafia. Full of huge stars, this one was gritty and good. Is it the best? No, but you won't feel like you wasted any time watching it. In fact, you'll spend the entire film wondering how it'll end and believe me, that'll be more then enough to hold your attention.

Check it out.

Race:

Another film where I found myself uttering "Damn Nazis" for at least half of the production. Wonderful acting by the entire cast and really well written. I enjoyed the overall structure of the film; it didn't drag on and even though it's based on actual events, you'll still sit through it hoping our hero comes out on top!

I purposely didn't do any research about the events portrayed in the film so that I'd be surprised and I hope you do the same. Go see Race, it's wonderful!

Eddie the Eagle:

Another feel-good story of an Olympian's search for victory! This film, also based on true events, is a total underdog story about perseverance and never giving up on your dreams no matter the obstacles in front of you.  

Eddie Edwards dreamed about going to the Olympics no matter the cost and did everything possible to achieve his goal! There's a reason you probably haven't heard of him but again, I'm not one to give anything away!

Go see it, you'll leave feeling awesome as this one is totally full of heart! Watch out for Taron Egerton too, we saw him first in Kingsmen and you'll love him just as much in this movie!-that guy is going to be huge!

Deadpool

Deadpool:


I have to say, this bad boy was the perfect Valentine's Day flick! It has everything: Action, comedy, romance, adult language and situations. Men and women would be happy to see it and if they aren't, they should go be bored and saturated with sugary feelings and see the Choice instead.


It will never cease to amaze me though, how so many audiences fail to research the films they choose to see. So many parents took their young-ish (preteen) kids to the theater and promptly walked them right out after the first ten minutes, shocked at just how adult it is. People, it's rated R for a reason. Hell, the studio even put out promos throughout all of social media warning parents to be responsible and make good judgments in regards to allowing their younger children to see it. What film have you ever seen make conscious, responsible decisions like that in order to ensure the fans who do see it will get the best possible experience at the theater?

Now, you don't have to know anything about Deadpool in order to enjoy the film but it does help. He's a bad boy. A super hero of circumstance, not by choice. And in this film he actually doesn't do anything hero-worthy. He's on a mission of vengeance and boy oh boy does my man know how to have fun doing what he loves!


I'm going to post the Red-Band trailer so those of you who don't know a thing about the film, really understand what you're in for.

Go see it!

Where to Invade Next/ How to be Single/ Zoolander 2

Where to Invade Next:

I absolutely loved this film. I feel bad for Michael Moore because his films have a reputation of being "anti-American" and therefore turn a lot of audiences away. Case in point: I was the only person in the theater when I saw this. But this was not the case at all for Where to Invade Next! In this film, Moore travels to various countries to talk about different government policies and what seems to be working. What each country is getting right.

What's the most amazing thing he discovered from each country he visited: France, Norway, Germany, Spain, etc; was that all of them have systems in place that are of great benefit to the common man and are all things in which our country desperately needs and for some reason isn't getting and yet, every one of the these countries admits that every policy changed, every study used to bring about these changes; are all things in which American researchers and experts have promoted and proven to be effective. Yet, we're the only ones not utilizing any of them!

I'm telling you, if you care about the world and about what's going on here at home, you need to see this film. It will absolutely blow your mind!  

How to be Single:

This one was cute and just funny enough. All of the actors are folks who are "so hot right now" and they work really well together.

It was another typical young adult comedy and you'll already know how it'll end before the first scene is complete but you'll enjoy it nonetheless.

Zoolander 2:

I cannot tell you how excited I was to see this one! Zoolander will always hold a special place in my heart and when I first saw the teaser for the sequel I'll happily admit, I peed a little.

This one was just as stupid, just as out there and just as completely entertaining as the first! I don't know how Ben Stiller gets so many A-List celebrities involved in his projects but they're all awesome for signing on and make the film that much more enjoyable. Please see it.

And if you haven't seen the first, I'm going to suggest you do so, if only to get into the overall feel for what to expect with this film. But you need to understand that this movie is dumb. Like, super dumb. And that's the point. So go into the films with that attitude, it's dumb on purpose, and I promise you, you'll really enjoy yourself!

The Revenant

So, Leo is going to win the Oscar. There's no doubt about it. If you saw this film and learned what he did to prepare for it, you'll agree that it's a lock.


The Revenant:


(Completed after the Academy awards)
So, Leo finally got his Oscar!


I'm really happy for him. I'll be honest, he wasn't my pick but that certainly doesn't mean he isn't deserving of the award.
The film itself was intense and beautifully made. It takes place in the wilderness in the middle of a harsh winter and I'm telling you, you're freezing the entire time watching the thing. You are totally in it with Leo and feel for the actors as they suffer through for the entire 2+ hours. Everyone was great. Tom Hardy was nominated for his roll and I picked him to win it but sadly he lost to Mark Rylance for Bridge of Spies, the only film that I wasn't able to see yet.


Revenant is about a group of fur tradesman looking to make it through the rough terrain of the Midwest in the wintertime while fighting off Indians (not yet Native Americans in this timeline) who are tense and looking to steal their pelts and anything of value while they battle to hold on to their territories and try and survive the white man's continued attacks. Leo is sympathetic to the Indian's plight as he married and lived with an Indian woman in her village. They had a son and only he and Leo survived when the village was attacked by a military unit looking to wipe out the tribe. His son travels with him and is met with animosity from the group of tradesmen, Tom Hardy in particular, which adds to the ever growing tension felt throughout the film. If the rough terrain and potential for Indian attacks at a moments notice isn't enough, the growing disdain emanating from Tom's character leaves you feeling uneasy the entire time. I won't give any more away but just know you're in for a rough ride watching this film. I wish I could say you leave with a feel-good attitude but sadly, you don't. You're more stunned/numb & impressed with Leo if nothing else.

While I didn't pick Leo to win the category this year, his acceptance speech was one to be admired and shared. Congrats Leo, you're a great dude.

P & P & Z/Hail, Caesar!

Pride & Prejudice & Zombies:


Okay, you guys have GOT to see this thing! I'm going again, it was such a good time! I didn't read the book or knew anything the about the classic story it was based off of but dammit now I plan to pick up both versions. Seriously, such a blast! Much like Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, the writer did an amazing job of taking a well known story and adding in an oddball element like Zombies and making the whole damn thing work! And work well! It wasn't cheesy, it wasn't lame, it was really freaking well made and you're going to walk away smiling and hoping for a sequel. Go see it!

Hail, Caesar!:


I was so excited to see this one. I liked it but it wasn't what I expected. It was all pretty random actually. The trailer gives you the impression that it's a mystery of sorts; a famous actor gets kidnapped and you think the entire film is about trying to find him. It's not. That's certainly in there but its a strange mix of stories about all of the various characters and none of them ever really mesh together. The main character is a major executive for a movie studio and he's responsible for making sure all of the movies and their actors are perceived well by the general public. He's a baby sitter for famous adults.
The film was funny, the acting was great, but you leave with the feeling that the whole thing was just really random. And the ending was just that, an ending. There was no real climax and everything just kind of ends and you sit there watching the credits rolling and think, "huh." and that's it. I'd watch it again if a friend was interested in checking it out but it's not one I'll need to add to my collection.

The Choice

The Choice:

Another typical Nicholas Sparks story. This one was pretty predictable and at times exceptionally cheesy which wouldn't be a bad thing if the acting wasn't so mediocre. I know this all sounds very harsh so let me say, I didn't hate the film. I did however cringe at the thought of any man having to sit through this thing. Girls, don't be cruel. There are plenty of other films out there that you'll both enjoy, don't make your guy sit through this. The actors were attractive, yes, but the writing was just silly and at times made it really hard to believe there was any chemistry between the folks on screen.

I didn't read the book so I can only assume they rushed the story along so the movie didn't go past the two hour mark. If they were true to the story however, I've got some real issues. I'm not going to spoil the movie but at one point (you'll see this in the trailer), the female lead ends up in a coma and her romantic interest is, obviously, very upset and scared. Totally natural, that I get, I really do. But what pissed me off watching the thing was that the male lead pretty much neglected everyone else in his life, at least, that's the way he was portrayed. Again, don't misunderstand me, I love a good chick flick. There just wasn't enough substance in this one for me. I did cry at the appropriate times and I was hoping for a happy ending, but this is not one I'll ever need to watch again.

Dirty Grandpa/50 Shades of Black/The Finest Hours/Kung Fu Panda 3/Jane Got a Gun

Dirty Grandpa:

Let's talk about how awesome it is that Robert De Niro is doing comedies on the regular right now. Dude is funny. And the mark of a good actor is one who can perform well in various roles and genres. I mean, we already knew he was great so it's no surprise that he can appear in outlandish comedies like this one and totally kill it.

I wasn't a huge fan of this film, it was exceptionally predictable and often times ridiculous but I still laughed more often then not. I know the tweens out there will think it's brilliant what with the random drug humor and constant talk about sex and, true to form, Zach Efron walks around shirtless, like all the time.

It's funny enough that you won't be wasting your time but not one that I think you'll need to see over and over again.



50 Shades of Black:

Another predictable film from Marlon Waynes. It was funny in the way that it blatantly mocked the "stalker-esque" plot of the original 50 Shades but was still pretty goofy at the end of the day. Sometimes it was downright disgusting, taking the jokes a little too far. I like Marlon but I don't think he knows when enough is enough. Again, it was funny but I found myself being grossed out more often then not.

The Finest Hours:

I had heard this film was about what has been called the "Most Daring Rescue in U.S. Coast Guard History" but I didn't know if that meant everyone lived or everyone died and I didn't want to ruin the movie for myself by looking it up. You shouldn't either. You should go and see the film for yourself because it was great. I would like to think they stayed pretty true to the actual events because I really appreciated how the writers didn't try and give it the "Hollywood" treatment with a lot of grandiose explosions or heroic monologues. Some may find it boring without but that's what made it real for me and all the more incredible. The acting was fantastic and you genuinely feel bad for the actors (and the real people they portray) because they spend the entire movie outside in the middle of winter and 90% of the time, completely soaked to the bone. I was freezing by the time I left the theater! 

Kung Fu Panda 3:

The only issue I had with this movie was that it wasn't long enough! Once again DreamWorks has delivered a completely awesome film for all ages! I can't say enough about how much fun it was to sit in the theater for 90 minutes and watch these bright and colorful creatures come to life. Take the whole family and enjoy! 

Jane Got a Gun:

Sadly, I don't think this movie is going to get the attention it deserves. It wasn't advertised very well even though it's got a killer cast. It wasn't a big, epic blockbuster of a western that we seem to be getting lately and I think that's what I liked most about it. The storyline was decent and the suspense/action was enough to keep you engaged. The acting was pretty fantastic too. It actually reminded me of old episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in that, 90% of the thing is about the buildup-preparing to face the bad guys, wondering how our hero's are going to get out of this seemingly impossible situation. And then, suddenly, it's just over. Not to say that that's a bad thing, just that it all gets wrapped up quickly and then the movie's over. Some audiences may love it, some may leave feeling kind of "meh" but it wasn't bad and I think most of you out there would enjoy it so check it out.

The 5th Wave/Room

The 5th Wave:


Okay, so I saw this trailer a billion times before the films release and I honestly thought it looked like total garbage. Thankfully this wasn't the case. I was actually pretty impressed at how the writing team was able to cram a crapload of story into a two hour film without (in my humble opinion) completely butchering or dumbing down the story. The characters were kind of cheesy but since I haven't read the book, am unsure as to whether it was how the actors portrayed each role or if the characters were genuinely created to act like that. As far as tween films are concerned, this is another decent one you won't mind sitting through.


I judge all tween movies on a scale from the first Twilight to Harry Potter. That's a crazy huge scale, I know, but it works. So this film is in the Vampire Academy arena for me. They have left it open for a sequel much like VA but whether we actually see one is another story. Again, not a stinker, but could probably have been better.

Room:


This was a film I was dying to see! Again, based on the best selling novel by the same name, this one was one that the box offices didn't give a shit about until it got the Oscar nod. My local theater had it running for two days, literally. And they were week days at that! Then it was gone. Thankfully my theater is one that likes to make money, and will always re-show films that have been nominated for Oscars around awards season. I was able to catch it and boy oh boy was it good! My money is on Room sweeping each of it's categories with strong competition only from The Revenant and The Martian. I'm disgusted that Jacob Tremblay didn't get nominated for his role though, he was absolutely incredible and only 9 years old! In addition to the trailer I'm going to include video from his acceptance speech at the Critics Choice awards. He is as delightful as he is talented and I expect great things from him in the future. Go see Room!!

The Conjuring, The Way Way Back & Turbo

As you guys already know, I don't do scary movies. I don't know why I agreed to see this one but I did and here we are.

I thought this one was pretty good. It did scare me. It did have some good "make you jump" moments and thankfully, it wasn't gore-y. There's a time and a place for gore and this was not a film that needed it.

I know they're planning a sequel and I can't imagine what that will entail. I will probably see it though, just to see what they do with the story. But that'll be at noon with about 10 of my closest friends and I'll make sure my roommates are home that night and I leave the light on in the hallway......Is that over the top? Don't care, I don't like scary movies!

I might be a little obsessed with this film you guys. Every time it's on I watch. Everyone was incredible. Steve Carell actually plays a bad guy and you want to reach into the screen and punch his dumb lights out. His performance is that good.  The film is about a two families coming together for a summer trip to the beach. Steve and Toni Colette are dating and decide to take their kids away on a summer vacation in an attempt to further their relationship and try to merge their two households. The kids have different personalities and social circles and spend each day trying to avoid one another as much as possible meanwhile Steve acts like a real dick and leaves Toni feeling confused and worried about their future together.

Sam Rockwell steals the entire movie though, let's just be honest here. His comedic timing and delivery are incredible and his character is exactly what's needed to keep the film light.

Sam plays the manager of a local water park who befriends and ultimately hires Toni's son for the summer. The son sees the water park and it's employees as an escape from the drama going on back at the beach house and spends as much time with all of them as he can until the season's over.

It's not a comedy but more of a coming of age story of sorts. While it is dramatic, it's not depressing, it's just about a group of folks who need to figure things out and get their shit together once and for all. And who can't relate to that?

As funny as this movie was, I would be remiss in my duties if I didn't tell you how stupid it was as well. This is the true definition of a kids movie. There's no way anything like this would ever happen in real life but you still watch because it's well made, full of amazing actors and provides a great distraction from your daily life. If you want to lose yourself in a film for a few hours and not have to think about a thing, this is one you'll want to see. Your kids will love it because it's cute and silly and full of action and bright colors and you'll suffer through multiples showings of it because it has enough hidden adult content thrown in to keep you entertained.

Basically, this is one of those films that you know big actors do so their kids will be able to watch something Mommy and Daddy made, you know what I mean?

Elysium, The Wolverine & Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

Elysium:

Let's sling shot ourselves into the future shall we?! In Elysium, the rich have gotten sick and tired of the sick and tired's whining and ran away to their own "perfect world" in space. Thanks for nothing, Jodie Foster.....

The title of the film is also the name of this rich and vibrant world for the wealthy. Earth is a desolate wasteland where everyone works for peanuts and is treated like garbage because there simply isn't enough room or resources for us to take proper care of ourselves anymore. 

Matt Damon plays a factory worker with a record. He made some bad decisions out of desperation while growing up and is now working at a crappy job making crappy pay, just trying to get by like everyone else stuck on Earth.

Jodie Foster plays the head of ''world" security on Elysium and spends her days speaking French and drinking fancy drinks while wearing fancy clothes and jewelry. She positively loathes the people back home and is devoted to keeping all of the filthy, poor people of Earth away from her tranquil and luxurious Elysium. 

Matt Damon gets into an accident at work and is exposed to a lethal amount of radiation and told he will die in three days. Elysium has extremely badass MRI-looking machines that can clear anyone's body of literally every and all diseases-these suckers cure cancer! Where was that in your med-bay Star Trek?! 

So Matt decides he's just got to get himself up to Elysium and talks to an old contact from his trouble-making days about how he just might be able to sneak up to that world. 

This movie was full of action and super awesome futuristic visuals. I won't give everything away because once I give you the entire plot summery, I feel that it will be pretty easy for you to figure out how it ends and that's just not right. See how smart I assume all of you are? ;) 

You'll just have to see it for yourself. This one feels a little lengthy but I think you'll enjoy it regardless. Be warned though, it does get graphic so you may want to watch it before letting the kids check it out. 

The Wolverine:

I felt weird watching this one because I'm a huge fan of the franchise yet knew nothing about this story line. I don't want to say I was confused but I definitely watched the first half wondering where on Earth this story fit into the X-Men/Marvel universe. But that's just my own ignorance, nothing to do with the film itself. Which was pretty good!

I know the first Wolverine movie got a lot of crap from critics but I enjoyed that one too. The problem I did have with this film was that the bad guys seemed over the top, in a bad way. They were really exaggerated and not in a way that seemed to make any sense. The acting was a little over dramatic and some of the special effects were down right goofy which is a shame because the story  was good.

Sadly, Hugh is done with this franchise and we won't get to see any more of his Wolverine role. I'm sure they'll make more films with another actor and hopefully the delivery of those will be a little more thought out because this character is so important to the X-Men universe, it would be a shame to waste anymore opportunities to show off what Wolverine is all about.

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters:

I must confess, I haven't read this book series. I did see the first film, but I can't give you and honest comparison of the book vs. film. With that said, I felt Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, was very enjoyable. It's lighthearted while taking on some slightly more mature subject matter. It's got love, action, comedy and features some pretty fantastic actors and how can you really go wrong with that? I don't know if they'll make any more of these since all of the actors are getting older-fast, but this one is one worth seeing, especially if you enjoyed the first film.