5 out of 5 stars. This biopic is intense!!! Keep reading...
Ford vs Ferrari
Queen & Slim
I’m sooooooo heated...and so proud to be MF Black.
This movie was 4 stars not 5 because of the dramatic license Lena Waithe took that angered DAFUQ outta me. Keep reading...
Midway
For some reason movies about Pearl Harbor in them NEVER DO WELL! But I read this was a passion project for one of my fave directors Roland Emmerich. It has a killer cast (Ed Skrein, Nick Jonas, Mandy Moore, Woody Harrelson, Patrick Wilson, Luke Evans, Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart). This is actually one of my fave Pearl Harbor movies, but for some reason fans didn't love it.
I'll give it 4 stars out of 5. It wasn't perfect, but I did like it a lot!!!! Worth seeing in the movies for the special effects.
Black & Blue
"Black and Blue" is the story of a woman (Naomie Harris) from the wrong side of the tracks who was able to get into the military and become a cop. Her first night on the job she basically blows the entire department wide open. Frank Grillo, Tyrese Gibson, Reid Scott, Mike Colter, Nafessa Williams, and Beau Knapp (Seven Seconds) round out the cast.
I get what it wants to do, but the movie is uneven. First it's intelligent and thought provoking. And other scenes are a HUGE dramatic license opportunity. One scene where Tyrese's character tells Naomie's to go to a church. She stands in the middle of the street and pauses with the enemy afoot standing there heaving and crying. Another scene is so meticulous in it's execution it was almost like two different people touched this screenplay.
I'm gonna give it 3 stars out of 5 for it's unevenness because the performances were outstanding. I do love the truth in its title though.
Charlie's Angels
Directed and written by Elizabeth Banks, this version replaces Bill Murray & Bernie Mac in all the previous and puts Patrick Stewart as the original Bosley as well as the TV show.
John Bosley is retiring and Rebekah Bosley (Elizabeth Banks) is taking over. In his long career Bosley has taken the Townsend Agency global with agencies all over the world and in every major US city LA being the main training center. Kristen Stewart is Sabina Wilson, a former socialite turned Angel with Ella Balinska as Jane, another Angel. It also serves as sort of an origin story as they unofficially recruit scientist and inventor Elena (Naomi Scott). Elena has created Calisto, a machine that can create E.M.P. bursts. Of course in the wrong hands it's deadly.
The main problem with this the Angels themselves. No disrespect to Ella or Naomi, but the REASON we loved the 2000 version of Charlie's Angels is because we all KNEW Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, and Cameron Diaz. I mainly went for Kristen Stewart who killed it as a character so far removed from anything else she's ever played. Had they gone with known actresses I would've loved this. Kept the interpretations fine...maybe worked on the script a tiny bit more, but for me the actresses didn't wow me. I had no investment in them at all. I didn't feel the bond like I did with the previous Angel movies. Still worth seeing, but maybe wait for cable.
I wouldn't be mad at another continuation movie. I love these movies! Women kicking ass are my fave movies.
The Irishman
At 3 hours and 29 minutes "The Irishman" is truly one of the best mafia movies I've seen in a long time. TRULY! If there was a rating higher than 5 stars I'd give it.
Robert DeNiro plays Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran, a mafia hitman, who's hired to kill James "Jimmy" Hoffa (Al Pacino). Only twist is he befriends Hoffa as does one of his daughters. He's already friends with Russell Bufalino (Joe Pesci), but no friends amongst thieves. No one knows what ACTUALLY happened to Hoffa in 1975, but Frank states he killed him in the book I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt.
Of course all three are sensational with Pacino tearing up the damn scenery more than once. DeNiro with his powerful but quiet performance is a lock for an Lead Actor Oscar nod as well as Pesci and Pacino for Supporting Actors. And of course Martin Scorcese with frequent screenplay collaborator Steven Zaillian will have director and adapted screenplay nods respectively. Personally for me I loved Louis Cancelmi. He plays Sally Buggs and is in it for a short time. Largely a character actor, but he really stood out in this movie for me. FINALLY! Harvey Keitel, Anna Paquin, Jack Huston, Ray Romano, Jesse Plemons, Bobby Canavale, Marin Ireland, and Dascha Polanco are just a few of the cameos. VERY good movie doesn't even feel like it's that long because so much happens.
Knives Out
Christopher Plummer, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, Michael Shannon, Katherine Langford, Lakeith Stanfield, and Daniel Craig as the detective are SUBLIME in their roles. But Ana de Armas carries the movie.
No spoilers but easily 4 stars our of 5. Very well done. You won't figure out anything till the end.
Harriet
Two things made me angry: 1) she didn't tell ANYONE her plans before she left which could've saved a ton of drama and heartache. 2) I expected racist people, but never expected black people betray other black people for money. ANGERED ME! Reminded me of today how we don't support one another within the black community. Some cisgender black people don't like LGBT+ black people. Some cisgender black people don't like each other; and same for LGBT+ black people. Just crazy frustrating! We haven't changed all this time.
Cynthia Erivo has won a Daytime Emmy Award for performing on the "Today" show with the cast of "The Color Purple" play as well as a Tony Award and a Grammy for her portrayal of "Celie" in the "The Color Purple" play. All she needs is an Oscar for this movie, which she will win. WOWOWOWOW! Janelle Monae and Leslie Odom Jr. rightly deserve Supporting Actor and Actress nominations respectively. And Kasi Lemmons DESERVES an Oscar nod for Best Director.
Watch this movie immediately. You will learn so much!!!!
Frozen 2
Just wow. "Frozen 2" was better than the first. I felt instantly connected to it so much. 5 stars out of 5!
Elsa (Idina Menzel) hears the call from a siren and is unsure if she should follow the voice. Her song "Into the Unknown" SPOKE TO ME! Made me think of my journey in life. When you hear something calling and you know you have a good life. Do you follow what's out of your comfort zone or stay in it? Guaranteed you'll be singing it to. Idina aka Adele Dazeem's voice is hypnotic!
Olaf (Josh Gad) is even funnier. And there's more progression with Anna (Kristen Bell) and Kristoff (Jonathan Groff)...Great for adults and kids. Expect ALOT more songs though...if you like musicals.
21 Bridges
Chadwick is Andre Davis, a not-so-by-the-books cop who's dad died during his own police investigation. Andre is called in by Captain McKenna (JK Simmons) to investigate the death of 8 cops at a local restaurant. Stephan James & Taylor Kitsch play the cop killers with Sienna Miller and Keith David as fellow cops helping Andre (Keith's role was mostly emotional support since he knew his dad). Andre realizes in order to trap the killers he has to close all 21 bridges that go in and out of Manhattan. But we all know what happens when you corner an animal!
There are twists and turns, BUT where it loses my favor is one of the biggest twists in the movie keeps getting hinted at even in the beginning. It's left unanswered till the middle and end, but my point is it should've never been hinted at all. Had they not tipped their hand so obviously I would've loved this movie and given it 5 stars. But that other than that very good movie.
Dolemite is My Name
The Lighthouse
The movie is yet another story of mental illness, but in a different way than Joker. Robert is a man looking for work. He comes to The Lighthouse and works for Williem Dafoe. When a storm hits the lighthouse they both descend into madness trying to survive. Williem commands the screen when he's on, but Robert carries this movie 100%. And what's crazy is it's just the two of them.
Crazy this is a movie from the director of that AWFUL movie "The Witch" because this movie is 5 stars across the board. AND it's shot in black and white. Robert Eggers made up for TW in my book. WOW! Definitely a must see movie.
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
In this sequel Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) is invited to Prince Phillip (recast Harrison Dickinson)'s home for dinner after proposing to Princess Aurora (Elle Fanning) to meet his parents, since Maleficent is essentially Aurora's mother. Prince Philip's father King John (Robert Lindsay) is looking forward to Princess Aurora, also Queen of the Moors, to settle peace with humans and Moors. But Queen Ingris (Michelle Pfeiffer) wants nothing to do with the union in fact, she believes all the stories of Maleficent's evil ways. Added to the story are Ed Skrein and Chiwetel Ejiofor, but I won't spoil how they fit in.
And so begins an epic tale of good versus evil, but not everything is what it seems. Angelina SHINES once again. And Michelle is MAGICAL (no pun intended)!
I love the cinematography. So much color and beauty in this movie. Worth seeing on the big screen.
Jexi
Premise is simple: Guy who is addicted to his phone gets a new phone with defected software that ends up stalking him. Morale of the story: we are on our phones so much it's replaced human interaction and our ability to enjoy our surroundings.
Great movie!!! Hollywood needs to cast him in more roles...ps he's not only funny but cute as a button. I love him in interviews too.
Gemini Man
Night Hunter
Joker
100% a 5 stars out of 5 movie and WILL win Joaquin Phoenix his first Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar as well as nominations in Best Original Screenplay, Best Costumes, Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress for Frances Conroy and more. This is in my opinion the greatest super-villain comic book film of all-time, and quite frankly the most disturbing film I have ever seen. Keep reading...
"Joker" isn't the typical comic book film. Todd Phillips (Director of "The Hangover" series) came up with this as a one-picture standalone film to explain how the Joker became the Joker. He's not Jack Napier from Jack Nicholson's "Batman" nor Heath Ledger's from "The Dark Knight" nor Jared Leto's from "Suicide Squad." He's closer to Mark Hamil's from "Batman: The Animated Series," but even that's not exact. Joaquin IS Joker end of story.
His name is Arthur Fleck. Back in the mid-to-late 70's Arthur is a hired clown who gets beat up by strangers, fired for getting beat up, and lives with his ailing mother in a dingy two bedroom Gotham city apartment. Every day he checks the mail from a letter his mother sent to Thomas Wayne, her former employer. "Thomas will help us." She says, and he believes her. Gradually one HORRIBLE (not even bad) thing happens after another to Arthur. And you see the cracks of Joker start to pull Arthur apart and push him back together. By the end of the film you 100% can understand NOT AGREE with how ANYONE broken down by the system, society, and the people around them can go completely insane.
And this is why this movie is truly terrifying to me. After the movie I was driving home like WOW if I wasn't as strong of a person as I am, I too could be Joker. I too could let the things in my life break my spirit. This movie is almost a cautionary tale. It's insane.
My hopes is this film starts Joaquin's Joker into the DCU. It explains why Batman is casted so much younger. If this Joker encounters Robert Pattinson's Batman/Bruce Wayne I will 100% believe it.
I loved this film, but it messed me. I couldn't see it again. But bravo to Robert DeNiro and Zazie Beets for their supporting roles as well. Worth seeing once through though. Just be prepared to be blown away.
The Politician
So I will give this a 4 out of 5 stars. Keep reading...
"The Politician" is a high school dramedy about adopted rich kid Payton (Daytime Emmy, Grammy, and Tony winner Ben Platt) who's dating a pretty vapid girl named McAfee (Laura Dreyfuss) and running for Class President. He wants to make his resume look good for when he graduates. And so ensue the crazy. His opponent is hot jock River (scene stealer and Henry Cavill lookalike David Corenset), whom Payton is secretly in love with and who's also dating Payton's archnemesis Astrid (Lucy Boynton). Added to the cast are Payton's hippie mom (Gwyneth Paltrow), Payton's adoptive twin brothers (Ken Dolls with Patrick Bateman personalities Trey & Trevor Mahlon Eason), Astrid's parents (Dylan McDermott & January Jones), cancer ridden Infinity (Zoey Deutsch) and her grandmother Dusty (Jessica Lange), and one of my fave new actors Benjamin Barrett as Infinity's dim-witted but not so dumb boyfriend Ricardo.
"The Politician" is a high school dramedy about adopted rich kid Payton (Daytime Emmy, Grammy, and Tony winner Ben Platt) who's dating a pretty vapid girl named McAfee (Laura Dreyfuss) and running for Class President. He wants to make his resume look good for when he graduates. And so ensue the crazy. His opponent is hot jock River (scene stealer and Henry Cavill lookalike David Corenset), whom Payton is secretly in love with and who's also dating Payton's archnemesis Astrid (Lucy Boynton). Added to the cast are Payton's hippie mom (Gwyneth Paltrow), Payton's adoptive twin brothers (Ken Dolls with Patrick Bateman personalities Trey & Trevor Mahlon Eason), Astrid's parents (Dylan McDermott & January Jones), cancer ridden Infinity (Zoey Deutsch) and her grandmother Dusty (Jessica Lange), and one of my fave new actors Benjamin Barrett as Infinity's dim-witted but not so dumb boyfriend Ricardo.
Think "Election" meets "Glee" meets "Heathers."
The thing I HATE about the show is Payton's sexuality. It's OBVIOUS he isn't bisexual like River. He's gay. And he does something in the very last episode that's SOOOOOOOOO selfish knowing the character is clearly gay that angered me. Dear Ryan, we've seen a clearly gay character be selfish in one of your shows (Kurt Hummel leading on Mercedes in "Glee"), so this part deux is unoriginal and VERY annoying especially that last episode.
ALOT happens in 8 episodes and everyone talks super fast. The last episode was basically an epilogue for next season which I kinda have a clue where it'll go. Tiny bit of a stretch. The thing I don't love about Ryan Murphy projects is he doesn't know how to let go of characters. There is one character in next season that makes NO SENSE! Without giving away spoilers. Cannot wait to see Judith Light and Bette Midler's characters evolve next season along with Teddy Sears and Joe Morton.
Yes it's a Ryan Murphy creation. And overall it's good. But it legit took me two days to write this because SO MUCH happened so quickly. Maybe binging Ryan Murphy projects isn't the way to go. He NEVER wastes a scene in his storytelling. So watching all at once gave me sensory overload.
Still better than most of the crap out there though. And the thing I love about Ryan is he sees potential in people. Did you ever think the awkward bird kid Ben Platt from "Pitch Perfect" would be an award winning actor leading a dramedy by Ryan Murphy? Did you ever think a pretty male actor David Corenset would make your heart break into a billion pieces? What about seeing Gwyneth Paltrow as anything other than playing America's Sweetheart characters? And I won't ruin Jessica Lange's character but just WOW! The entire cast deserves Emmy nominations. And thank you to Ryan for hiring transman Theo Germaine who's soooooo good!
In future episodes if he can just slow down the dialogue that'd be great. Felt like I was watching "Scandal" part 2.
The thing I HATE about the show is Payton's sexuality. It's OBVIOUS he isn't bisexual like River. He's gay. And he does something in the very last episode that's SOOOOOOOOO selfish knowing the character is clearly gay that angered me. Dear Ryan, we've seen a clearly gay character be selfish in one of your shows (Kurt Hummel leading on Mercedes in "Glee"), so this part deux is unoriginal and VERY annoying especially that last episode.
ALOT happens in 8 episodes and everyone talks super fast. The last episode was basically an epilogue for next season which I kinda have a clue where it'll go. Tiny bit of a stretch. The thing I don't love about Ryan Murphy projects is he doesn't know how to let go of characters. There is one character in next season that makes NO SENSE! Without giving away spoilers. Cannot wait to see Judith Light and Bette Midler's characters evolve next season along with Teddy Sears and Joe Morton.
Yes it's a Ryan Murphy creation. And overall it's good. But it legit took me two days to write this because SO MUCH happened so quickly. Maybe binging Ryan Murphy projects isn't the way to go. He NEVER wastes a scene in his storytelling. So watching all at once gave me sensory overload.
Still better than most of the crap out there though. And the thing I love about Ryan is he sees potential in people. Did you ever think the awkward bird kid Ben Platt from "Pitch Perfect" would be an award winning actor leading a dramedy by Ryan Murphy? Did you ever think a pretty male actor David Corenset would make your heart break into a billion pieces? What about seeing Gwyneth Paltrow as anything other than playing America's Sweetheart characters? And I won't ruin Jessica Lange's character but just WOW! The entire cast deserves Emmy nominations. And thank you to Ryan for hiring transman Theo Germaine who's soooooo good!
In future episodes if he can just slow down the dialogue that'd be great. Felt like I was watching "Scandal" part 2.
Downton Abbey
Ad Astra
Ad Astra aka To the Stars tells the story of an astronaut on a secret mission to retrieve his father from space. There are so many twists and turns. But in the end it's worth it.
Felt like "Gravity" mixed with "Interstellar."
4 out of 5 stars...it does drag though.
Hustlers
Angel Has Fallen
The Goldfinch
The Peanut Butter Falcon
the one about trusting yourself
So yesterday I was feeling off. Off in a good way though. I couldn't explain it or understand it. But I felt off all morning into the afternoon. Then in the early evening I got a phone call I had been waiting two weeks for. I realized in that moment I know myself better than I realize. Keep reading...
the one about Tanner Tolbert
WOW! This is exactly what I was talking about with Nick being a great interviewer but not a good life coach. This episode was a 10 out of 5. Keep reading...
The Farewell
Apparently in Chinese families it's acceptable to hide the medical truth from ppl until they are on their deathbed...and so begins "The Farewell." Keep reading for my 5 star review.
the one about Jed Wyatt
So Jed Wyatt.
I know everyone thinks he's a cad. I even poked a little fun at him. If you've been living under a rock here's the tea: Jed was a contestant on Season 15 of The Bachelorette. From day one he was a stand out as good looking and fun. THEN his damn guitar came on EVERY DATE. I mentioned it in an earlier post, but keep reading for my longer explanation...
I know everyone thinks he's a cad. I even poked a little fun at him. If you've been living under a rock here's the tea: Jed was a contestant on Season 15 of The Bachelorette. From day one he was a stand out as good looking and fun. THEN his damn guitar came on EVERY DATE. I mentioned it in an earlier post, but keep reading for my longer explanation...
the one about "The Big Four"
So I should've done this post yesterday towards the middle of these August events, but whatever! Keep reading...
the one about my celibacy
So I have never talked about this before, but I want to discuss how and why I became celibate. Keep reading...
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw
Once Upon A Time...In Hollywood
the one about my upstairs neighbor
So it's funny my coworker asks me the other day "How long have you been at your place in Dorchester?" I said "Over a year." She goes "Wait what?!" I go "Yeah I have a roommate who doesn't know how to clean up after herself, barely takes out the trash, and is a pack rat. My upstairs neighbor is loud as hell, I think he weighs 1000 pounds cuz he's constantly stomping, has no grip on his fingers cuz he drops EVERYTHING, and snores so loud I can hear him." She goes "It's funny as bad as that sounds everyday you came into work for a year and hated your other roommate in Randolph." I go "OH MY GOD everyday was something, but no my current living situation the two ppl are annoying but nothing compared to them."
It just reminded me life is an ebb and flow. Sometimes things are great and sometimes they aren't. But when they aren't we talk about it CONSTANTLY! When they are, we rarely talk about it. Strange. It's like when celebs give attention to haters but ignore loving comments. I need to stay on the positive track and talk less about negativity.
#TheMoreYouKnow about yourself.
It just reminded me life is an ebb and flow. Sometimes things are great and sometimes they aren't. But when they aren't we talk about it CONSTANTLY! When they are, we rarely talk about it. Strange. It's like when celebs give attention to haters but ignore loving comments. I need to stay on the positive track and talk less about negativity.
#TheMoreYouKnow about yourself.
The Bachelorette Season 15
Dead to Me
Christina Applegate plays "Jen Harding" a recent widowed mom of two. Linda Cardinelli plays "Judy" the woman who accidentally ran over Jen's husband. Unbeknownst to Jen of course, whom Judy befriends. While Judy befriends Jen she tries keeping her guilt at bay with her realtor boyfriend Steve (James Marsden). Steve happens to be a colleague of Jen's, also a realtor. And so the perfect storm begins.
AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING! I loved all 10 episodes and binged it in one weekend. It's so addicting. Will Jen find out? If she does what will she do? Will Judy dump Steve?
Just crazy good show. I'm super upset Christina Applegate was nominated for an Emmy and Linda wasn't. But wow!!!!!!!!
Jaws
I decided to watch "Jaws" because I didn't really remember it. BOY was I pissed off. 3 stars out of 5.
It's not even that the shark wasn't realistic because it was. The story was TERRIBLE.
So Roy Scheider plays a local sheriff that responds to a shark attack on his little beach town. He tries closing the beach TWICE but the townspeople protest him. When a little boy dies from a shark attack the mother slaps HIM for...not closing the beach. (flaw number one)
When Roy and Robert Shaw (a fishing bounty hunter) go out hunting for Jaws, Roy's character decides to call the Coast Guard to get help getting out of...THEIR SINKING BOAT! But Robert smashes the radio...FOR NO REASON!
I was so friggin pissed off after I got done. Can someone make a realistic shark movie? Please!
Yesterday
Himesh Patel plays Jack Malik, a struggling musician, who is the ONLY PERSON on Earth to remember The Beatles, Coca-Cola, cigarettes, or Harry Potter after a strange 16 second global blackout...or so he thinks. He decides to use all The Beatles songs to gain fame and fortune all the while oblivious to the torch his best friend/manager Ellie (Lily James) has for him.
This brilliant script was written by Richard Curtis (of "Notting Hill," "Four Weddings and A Funeral," and "Love Actually" brilliance) and directed by Danny Boyle ("Slumdog Millionaire," "Trainspotting," and "24 Days"). It's so crisp and funny. I love everything about this movie.
And Himesh is not only a good actor but he can SING!!!!!!!!! Plus Queen Kate McKinnon can do no wrong. For realz!!!
Worth seeing.
Stuber
I love Dave Bautista as a lead, and I'm lowkey crushing on Kumail Nanijiani (The Big Sick).
Kumail is Stu, a part-time Uber driver and full-time sporting goods employee with a dick of a boss' son Richie (the always hot and talented Jimmy Tatro). Dave is a LA cop on the trailer of his partner's killers. But on this particular day he can't drive because he had Lasik surgery so he calls an Uber. Richie nicknames Stu Stuber and so the story begins.
It's one of the funniest buddy cop movies I've seen in awhile. So worth seeing in the theaters if you need a break from Lions and superheroes.
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Peter Parker (Tom Holland) in all his awkwardness takes a European trip with his class, including his long-time crush Michelle aka MJ (Zendaya). While on vacation Peter encounters The Elementals, a group of villains that use the earthly elements to destroy. In comes Quentin Beck (Jake Gyllenhaal) a hero from the Earth 833 to help kill them now so they don't destroy his family later. Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) hijacks Peter's vacation to help Beck. A reluctant Peter gets sucked in as do his friends.
The film directed by Jon Watts (directed Spider-Man: Homecoming which I loved) is so perfectly connected to the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe). This movie ties itself all the way back to Iron Man franchise so expertly I audibly gasped. SUCH A GOOD MOVIE!
And as I am writing against a budget of $160 million it's made $975 million at the box office. Movies should double their budget to even break even. It's currently the highest grossing Spider-Man film of all-time and the sequel will be Spider-Man in his senior year. I think they will obviously go into his college when he meets Gwen Stacy, but SO EXCITED not only by Tom's interpretation of Peter Parker/Spider-Man, but the story and how it's told. And like how they updated things: like MJ being African-American, Flash Thompson being of East Indian descent, Peter's bestie is Filipino. SO AMAZING!
I do think Flash Thompson will end up being a supervillain somehow. They keep pitting them against each other in life. Just a gut feeling.
Update: downgrading this movie to a 3 after watching "Spiderman: Homecoming."
A) Ned is SUPER ANNOYING in Homecoming.
B) Peter was head over heels for Liz. MJ was a total jerk.
"Far from Home" is inconsistent with "Homecoming" now.
The Lion King
So I had an "Aha" moment with #TheLionKing live-action. As I was describing it to my friend who is a Disney aficionado, she was saying "they combined all the previous Lion King cartoons in that movie I think." Then I thought the movie was genius. After that discussion I like it more because I only saw the original cartoon not its sequels.
Still about a precocious lion cub named Simba born to the king of the jungle, Mufasa (James Earl Jones). Simba, deciding to not listen to ANY ADULT, almost gets killed in the Hynenas elephant grave, and then inadvertently leads Mufasa to his death. The part that's added is when Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor) tricks Simba into leaving Pride Rock they show Simba with Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) and Timon (Billy Eichner). It's cool to see not only the "gaps" filled in but also how Rafiki (John Kani) discovered Simba was alive...circle of life moment.
Donald Glover is the voice of grown Simba and you cannot even tell it's him; same with Chiwetel Ejiofor. You're more focused on the characters than whom they are...but Nala. SIGH...that's all I will say. Don't want the Beehive after me.
Overall good movie. 4 out of 5 stars. Not perfect but good.
But people WHY do you clap in movies? When the credits rolled people clapped as if the actors were there or if it was live theater. VERY STRANGE!
Toy Story 4
Well Woody. He was SOOOOOOOOOO annoying. Anytime anyone told him NOT to do something detrimental he would do just that. It was singular focus, but it sends the wrong message to kids. He always claimed "oh I'm doing this for my kid," but Bonnie isn't just HIS kid.
So it picks up a couple years after "Toy Story 3." After Andy gave Bonnie his toys, Bonnie is ready to start kindergarten. Her dad forbids her to take toys to school, but Woody don't listen and sneaks in her backpack. At school Bonnie doesn't adjust well, but Woody makes sure she's able to play. She creates Forky from trashed school supplies. On a weekend trip with her parents Bonnie takes her toys with her. When Forky jumps out of the RV window to be free Woody takes it upon himself to retrieve Forky and bring him back to Bonnie. And so begins a journey of meeting with old friends, making new ones, and encountering a "villain" like never before.
I will say...the villain isn't really a villain. Once you get deeper into her story you realize she's just doing bad things with a good goal. It teaches kids the lesson there "sometimes there's a story behind the mean."
A summertime kid must! Possible sequel potential. And Keanu Reeves makes a hilarious cameo.
Men In Black International
Reason being it feels like something's missing. You cannot do an MIB movie without Will Smith...maybe Tommy Lee Jones, but NOT Will.
I loved the storyline and acting, but again that element...missing. Chris Hemsworth as Agent H is amazing. It focuses on Tessa Thompson's Molly aka Agent M who finds MIB after looking all her life for them. She's the perfect agent, but there's NO lag in training because she's been studying this her entire life after her failed career as FBI agent. If they linked her to Will I would've liked it more.
Worth seeing and the special effects are awesome. Look for cameo from Rebecca Ferguson and Kumail Nanijani as Pawny.
Always Be My Maybe
Sasha (Ali Wong) is the childhood best friend of Marcus (Randall Park). During their childhood she had a "noticeable to anyone but him" crush on him. After they finally have sex it changes their relationship in the worst way. Sixteen years after not talking Sasha is a celebrity chef and engaged to a total douchebag Brandon (Daniel Dae Kim) until he unceremoniously dumps her and she bumps into Keanu Reeves (playing a fictionalized version of himself). Prior to bumping into Keanu, she moves into her new house and her assistant calls the HVAC company...who happens to be Harry & Son...Marcus and his dad. And so begins the story.
I love that all of Sasha's love interests are Asian. And that after watching this movie I actually see Randall Park as sexy. I legit did not see him that way before. He was Kim Jun Ung from "The Interview" to me. But this movie he's buff, he's funny, and SUPER sexy. Like DAMN sexy.
So worth watching. You won't be disappointed!!!!
Shaft
In this version it kind of pushed aside the 2000 reboot. Samuel L. Jackson is John Shaft, former police detective turned private investigator. He no longer "works for the man" and John Shaft Sr. is actually his dad not his uncle (like the 2000 reboot suggested). There's also a bit of annoyance in Jackson's performance that wasn't there in 2000. I LOVED THAT! And in comes Jessie T. Usher as John Shaft III. His mother (Regina Hall) got him and her out of Shaft's line of work to save themselves.
My ONLY criticism is that I wish JJ's mom was a bit older. Not saying Regina wasn't AMAZING in the part, but with Shaft being 60 today and 40 years ago that basically meant he was with a just out of jailbait woman.
Again I loved this movie.
Rocketman
I feel bad for Taron because I think he wants too get praise, but it just feels like he tried too hard. Jamie Bell as Bernie Taupin was great! Very understated. Deserves an award or two himself.
They left out his friendships with Gianni Versace, Tim Rice, and Princess Diana or his Oscar win, but explained his sexuality fully. I would give this movie 4 stars out of 5. It's not billed as a musical but a musical biopic. I went into it thinking it was Bohemian Rhapsody, but it was more like Chicago. Taron does sound like Elton, but I wasn't prepared for the "musical" side of it. It was kind of jarring if I'm being honest.
Worth seeing I will say, but just be prepared for it to be a musical. If you don't like them don't go see it.
Booksmart
"Booksmart" is five stars out of five. Beanie and Kaitlyn deserve Oscar nominations. Look for cameos with Lisa Kudrow and Will Forte...and Jason Sudeikis. But Billie Lourd steals the show as the erratic crazy popular teen people can't seem to figure out.
The real stars are the writing team of Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins, Susanna Fogel, and Katie Silberman. These women were amazing!!!!!! I hope they write more together.
SOOOOOO GOOD!!
Aladdin
This isn't the "Aladdin" from our childhood. There is more of a backstory of the characters, and Genie is actually human in this. Jafar is megahot (Marwan Kenzari). But the chemistry between Jasmine and Aladdin is amazing (Naomi Scott and Mena Massoud). Will Smith's version of Genie actually works too.
I was surprised by how much I liked this movie because from the trailers I didn't. I will give this 4 stars out of 5. Worth seeing even though it's a little dark. BUT one thing I love that was different....Jasmine isn't just a princess. Because the sultan only had ONE child and that child was a girl, Jasmine is DETERMINED to become sultan. Jasmine is SO much stronger of a character in this version. And also Genie is Aladdin's human servant during 50% of the movie so he's not always blue.
Typically I love John August's writing. But instead of honoring the source material, he tried to go bigger than it. Not cool, John! I do love the celebration of Indian culture and female empowerment, but it's not perfect.
The Hustle
Female remake of "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," "The Hustle" starring Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson sees them as competing con artists the British Josephine Chesterfield and Australian Penny Rust respectively in Europe looking to score their next big mark...when they both arrive in the same town a bet ensues: whomever lands tech millionaire Thomas Westerburg (Alex Sharp) has to leave town forever.
I thought it was hilarious and giving it 4 out of 5 stars...there's one part that I felt was a little overplayed. But I loved it.
John Wick Chapter 3 - Parabellum
Keanu Reeves is back as John Wick.
In the first movie "John Wick" he has been retired and taking care of his cancer-stricken wife (Bridget Moynahan). She leaves him a puppy and a 1969 Ford Mustang. At a gas station the punk son of a mob boss demands his car, when John refuses the punk stalks John, kills his puppy, and steals his car. John spends the rest of the movie intent on revenge. To get revenge John must officially come out of retirement. With the help of his friend The Continental Hotel (safehouses in every city where assassins cannot kill) owner Winston (Ian MacShane) he comes back and gets his revenge.
In the 2nd movie "John Wick: Chapter 2" John is hired by Santino d'Antonio (the ridiciously sexy Riccardo Scarmarcio) to kill Santino's sister. When John refuses Santino puts a contract with the house forcing John to kill his sister, but not before blowing up John's house. Tracking Santino to The Continental John kills him; unfortunately Winston is forced to put a contract on John who violated house rules.
In the 3rd movie "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum" John spends the movie trying to get the contract lifted with the help of old coworker Sofia (Halle Berry).
All three are great, but the third is bloody and particularly brutal. All worth seeing though especially the guest stars in each movie. Keanu is back. And I love that he's actually evolved as an actor...all are 5 out of 5 stars good.
Long Shot
"Long Shot" tells the story of VP and Presidential Candidate Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron) reconnecting with her childhood friend turned current speechwriter Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen). Their chemistry is actually amazing. But June Diane Raphael as Maggie, Charlotte's key advisor stole the show. Easily 5 stars.
The Intruder
Dennis Quaid is Charlie, the owner of an older home he can no longer "care" for since his wife's death and his daughter's move to NYC. He sells it to city slickers Scott & Annie Howard (Michael Ealy & Meagan Good). But Charlie can't let go. He comes over uninvited, mows, the lawn, and gets angry when security cameras are put on property.
I will give this 3 stars out of 5 because OF COURSE Scott sees Charlie for the crazy he is but Annie doesn't. It angers me that this loving, trusting couple would be at odds over a total stranger.
Can someone fix this bs?!
The Best of Enemies
In this true life story Oscar Nominee Taraji P. Henson plays Ann Atwater, a civil rights activist in Durham, NC whose daughter's school gets severely damaged by a fire in 1971. She along with the other people of color decide to fight segregation so their kids can go to the white school. Oscar Winner Sam Rockwell's CP Ellis, head of the KKK in town, is resistant and fights her all the way. In comes Bill Riddick (Babou Ceesay) who puts together a team to resolve the issue...of course CP and Ann are co-heads. At first they are fighting on opposite sides of the same coin, until they aren't.
The screenplay, directing, and acting are top notch. Taraji BETTA get an Oscar nomination. 5 stars out of 5. So amazing how not only this story is true BUT they were friends until both died.
Poms
Diane Keaton is a retired cancer patient Martha looking to move to a retirement home preparing to die. Through the help of her Blanche Dubois-esque neighbor Sheryl played by Jackie Weaver, Martha decides to start her own cheerleading squad at the retirement home to finally fulfill her dreams she gave up as a kid.
Diane is awesome in anything. I love seeing movies featuring strong women especially "over a certain age." Rhea Pearlman, Pam Grier, and Celia Weston are awesome in supporting roles. If you want a nice giggle and feel good movie see this 5 star movie.
Late Night
Typically I don't like Mindy's humor, but I ate my words with this film. Mindy's script is funny, real, and flawless. Easily 5 stars out of 5. It's not just about empowering women, but it's a funny movie about flawed characters. The acting is great. I love that Hugh Dancy, usually the leading man, plays a cad and Reid Scott plays a good guy. Nice switch! Go see this.
Pet Sematary
So I watched both #PetSematary films. The original was scary, but the remake is WAY MORE terrifying.
Reason being: set up. The set up for the original is non-existent. We get into it and bam we're in the thick of it. The set up for the remake is absolutely inhumane. I BAWLED in this movie like real tears but the writers got me so attached to a character. Such a brilliant way to do this.
I won't give away spoilers but it's not scary, it's beyond creepy, this movie is terrifying. It gets into your head as you know the difference between what clearly is right and wrong, but you get sucked into the debate of the characters. And Church is a much bigger role in the movie which adds to the terror. They did pay homage to the original version in the remake, but still the remake is better.
I will say Jason Clarke was the Miko Hughes of this version. Miko's Gage was the STAR of "Pet Sematary." Jason's Louis was the star of the new version.
I will say Jason Clarke was the Miko Hughes of this version. Miko's Gage was the STAR of "Pet Sematary." Jason's Louis was the star of the new version.
VERY well done. Add this to the list of movies better than the original. This movie is easily 5 stars out of 5!
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